GAF Roofing Academy Helps Pave the Way for New Talent in the Industry

Several years after Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico in 2017 and caused around $90 billion in damage, residents were still working to repair their homes and rebuild their communities. Subsequent storms further damaged unfixed properties and the power grid continued to suffer frequent blackouts. As a result, many families were living in unsafe conditions.In response, GAF, through our Community Matters initiative partnered with Team Rubicon and local nongovernmental organizations to provide Puerto Rico hurricane relief. GAF donated roofing materials, roof installation trainings, and hundreds of hours of volunteer labor toward the Puerto Rico hurricane relief effort. Since 2017, GAF has continued its commitment and has donated materials for over 500 roofs and helped install them all over Puerto Rico.Video TranscriptEnglish Translation: The storm came and took my home. If I would have been home during the storm, then I wouldn't be here speaking with you. [00:00:07]A lot of the homeowners either are financially short or just don't have the capabilities to do it themselves. We're able to provide the work and the labor for them and just help them out however we can.[00:00:21]It's really important to us that we are always putting the highest quality materials into these homes.Yesterday, we were at el Barrio Consejo en Guayanilla, and we were teaching ProTechos, Team Rubicon, and members of the local community how to apply GAF roof coatings. After we finished our coatings portion, we actually did a Liberty rolled roofing. GAF had donated in the past material for about 500 homes that have been done for Team Rubicon.[00:00:48]English Translation: There is nothing more important in life than to have a place to come home to, spend quality time, sit and be at peace.

The Gulf Region is growing more resilient thanks to a meaningful partnership between actor Anthony Mackie, Marvel Cinematic Universe's next "Captain America," and GAF. Over the last year, as part of the GAF Community Matters initiative, GAF and Mackie partnered to re-roof 500 storm-damaged homes and empower local workforce resiliency through tuition-free GAF Roofing Academy trainings.The 500th roof was recently installed in New Orleans, Mackie's hometown. "A year ago today we started this," he notes, "And to say that, exactly 365 days later, we finished our 500th roof is pretty astonishing. It shows the commitment of everybody who has been a part of this project and made this dream come true."Rebuilding Roofs and Empowering CommunitiesFollowing Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Gulf Region suffered a string of devastating natural disasters, and many residents found themselves unable to make the needed repairs to their homes before the next storm caused more damage. Ending this cycle and building more resilient communities is a main focus of the GAF Community Matters initiative."We're not only putting roofs over the heads of people that need them," GAF's Chief Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility Officer Andy Hilton explains. "We're also building those roofs in a way that can sustain through the next storm, using state-of-the-art roofing materials that will provide the sustainability, the comfort and the security these families deserve."Safe roofs mean greater resilience, both for the homes and businesses they shelter as well as the individuals who inhabit them. Rebuilding and restoring damaged roofs fosters long-term resilience.Strengthening the WorkforceIn addition to re-roofing 500 new homes in the Gulf Region, GAF committed to provide community members with training around essential roofing skills through the GAF Roofing Academy. The program helps train individuals to support future rebuilding efforts in communities impacted by severe weather and acts as a pipeline for skilled labor, which is currently in high demand."The labor trade is in desperate need of bodies," notes GAF Roofing Academy Instructor Gary Pierson. This is especially true in the storm-ravaged Gulf Region.Mackie joined the GAF Roofing Academy training in New Orleans, which consisted of both classroom and hands-on instruction. As the son of a roofer, he has lots of prior experience and understands the transformative power of skilled work. "Learning a trade like roofing is one thing that can help a community come back, that can help a neighborhood come back, that can help a family come back," Mackie says.The courses are open to anyone looking to enter or re-enter the workforce, including the underemployed, formerly incarcerated, veterans, and others who may face career barriers. The GAF Roofing Academy offers tuition-free, hands-on roofing training to those interested in learning the trade from industry experts. Ultimately, students are equipped with the skills needed to enter the roofing trade and the program assists in placing them in well-paying jobs upon graduation."Teaching the next generation the roofing trade not only helps GAF Community Matters toward their mission, it helps the neighborhoods and the regions they're in," Mackie notes."Knowing the roofing trade provides the opportunity for financial security for you and your family."Looking ForwardThe Gulf Region project hit a milestone when Mr. Joe, a New Orleans resident of over 60 years, had the 500th roof installed on his long-time family home. But it's certainly not the closing scene."This is only the beginning," Mackie shares, after sitting with Mr. Joe on his porch to celebrate the new roof. "Even though we've hit our 500th house today and the stories of all these homeowners are so amazing, there's still so much more to do."The efforts will be ongoing. GAF will continue to strengthen the region by helping residents feel safe in their homes and comfortable in their communities.Curious to learn more about this project and other initiatives GAF is involved in? Explore GAF Community Matters.

When looking to get involved in the trades, a helping hand can make all the difference. With so many options and opportunities to choose from, workers who are having trouble deciding which skills to develop can benefit from the guidance of experienced mentors and industry veterans.That's exactly the role Gary Pierson, a senior instructor with GAF Roofing Academy, knows he was meant to play. His position allows him to educate others and give back to people who remind him of himself when he was younger."I had a typical background of [many] youth who are not destined for college," Gary explains. "I had a little too much energy for most environments and ended up getting into a little bit of trouble." He found himself working in construction and discovered that roofing was a good fit for his energy level and "lack of fear."Gary excelled in the industry, working in numerous exterior construction roles including roofing, siding, windows, and doors. He says that in construction, he found a way to challenge himself, and it showed. "I went from laborer to crew leader to subcontractor and then started my own business by the age of 26," Gary shares.Finding Fulfillment Helping OthersUnfortunately, the 2008 recession affected Gary's business. He found himself back at his previous job where he was a crew leader, but that company was struggling as well. It was a challenging time that left him feeling unfulfilled.After talking with his wife, Gary learned a friend of hers was connected to Habitat for Humanity and began looking for ways to get involved with the nonprofit. He eventually became a construction manager, and while it was a pay cut for him, the benefits he reaped have changed his life."What I lacked in extra income, I made up with more time with family and got a sense of community again," Gary says. "I've lived in this town my whole life. So, I got to build homes for people I went to high school with, people that I've met through social networking, and knowing who I'm building for and seeing the changes they made in their life really made me a better father and husband."During his seven-year tenure at Habitat for Humanity, he took the organization from building one to two homes a year to 10 to 12 homes a year, ultimately building 57 homes in a community of 80,000 people.Connecting with GAFGary knew GAF donated roofing materials for the Habitat for Humanity homes, but it wasn't until he volunteered for a Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project (Carter Work Project) event in 2018 that he met GAF team members.On the jobsite, Gary noticed many of the volunteers were excited and eager to learn about roofing. Before the day's work began, Gary stepped up to teach them the basics of the trade, helping ensure the roofs would be properly installed and provide years of protection for the homes.It was then that Gary learned GAF was hiring trainers for its CARE program. He says he was surprised to learn such a job existed, but he was happy and fulfilled with his work for Habitat for Humanity. A few months later, Erick Osuna, an operations manager at the GAF Roofing Academy, reached out to Gary. After learning the academy would be teaching at-risk youth, previously incarcerated individuals, and military veterans, Gary jumped at the opportunity.Changing Lives One Student (and Instructor) at a TimeAs one of the first team members hired to teach in the GAF Roofing Academy, Gary participated in developing the program. Four successful years later, he's as invested as ever.Gary stays in touch with his students after they complete the academy and says there's a "beacon of light" in each of his classes. He notes that one of his most memorable students is Demetris Purnell, whose profile video he shares with each new class. "Demetris was one of my students that I met who was previously incarcerated, and he didn't really have a whole lot of hope or feel that there were opportunities available for him," Gary recalls. "Just seeing him taking a shot and how successful he is now is impactful."Many students' stories are just like Demetris'—students whose lives were changed by participating in the GAF Roofing Academy. For instance, Roz Jones says the experience helped her build confidence in herself. Shakyra Worley shares the course was meaningful to her because she learned a skill she can turn into a rewarding career.Gary says making a meaningful impact on his students' lives gives him a feeling of fulfillment every day—but he's quick to note that it's because of the individuals behind the GAF Roofing Academy. "None of this would be possible without the team that we have," he notes. "We have a dynamic team where everybody has something unique that they bring to the table. And I've learned just as much from my peers as I have from the leaders on the team."Paying It ForwardBecause of the commitment GAF makes to communities through its Community Matters initiative, Gary is still able to volunteer for the causes that are dear to him, including Habitat for Humanity and the Carter Work Project, among others.Curious to learn more about the GAF Roofing Academy and the success its graduates have found? The commercial and residential roofing industry is booming, with demand for 19,000 new jobs expected by 2028, and now is the perfect time to begin a career in roofing with the GAF Roofing Academy. Explore all that the program has to offer, and see how you can get started by visiting the GAF Roofing Academy website.