Mary McNamara Joins Other Kansas City Women Business Leaders as Panelists at WBDC’s 2018 Connect & Celebrate Event!
A packed house enjoyed networking and listening to the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC), panelists discuss “Leaders Learning from Leaders: How the Current Economy is Impacting Procurement Trends.”
Joining Mary, President of Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal, as WBE Panelists was Denise Kruse, Owner/CEO, AdamsGabbert. Corporate panelists included: Gena Fitzgerald, Global Procurement Director, Hallmark Cards, Inc; Elizabeth Stoltz, Director, Supply Chain, KCP&L and Westar, Energy Companies; and Christine (Chris) Kelly, Administrative Coordinator, Supplier Diversity, Metropolitan Community College.
The panel was moderated by Maria Jenks, VP, Supply Chain KCP&L and Westar Energy companies who presented some impressive statistics on women’s entrepreneurship which has been on the rise for the last two decades. As of January 2017, there were approximately 11.6 million women-owned businesses in the United States employing nearly nine million people and generating more than $1.7 trillion in revenues.
Mary shared some of her growth and relationship building strategies which mirror Cornell’s Mission and Vision as to the importance of always delivering on your promises. Mary also shared some stories of her personal experiences working in, owning and growing a business in a male dominated industry.
As the panel discussion wound up and the networking began, Mayor Sly James made a surprise visit and addressed the attendees with his thoughts on the important roles diversity and inclusion have had, and continue to play in Kansas City’s growing economy.
Jeff Leeper, Property Manager for Legacy Development, was presented the Winning Voucher, worth $1,500.00, by Bob Hoover, Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal’s R&M Manager. Jeff commented, “This could not have come at a better time! We all know how tough the weather can be on roof systems here in the Midwest and LEGACY manages properties all across the city. So, I already have a building in mind.”
”We are always appreciative of recognition,” said Mary McNamara, President of Cornell. Mary added, “That is especially true when it comes from those companies in the trade such as Sika Corporation.” Mary added.
My Dad would come home with stories about work and he would study at home in the evenings learning all about roofing. He was so very happy. Over time, he would talk more and more about the projects he worked on, equipment that broke down and, of course, the people he worked with and met. Over the years the business thrived, and my Dad just loved it. 
Looking at pictures, I remember my Dad talked a lot about McCormick Place around 1985. It was always McCormick, McCormick, McCormick. By then, I was married and living in Kansas City. As it turned out, McCormick Place was a pretty big job and that was putting it mildly. Actually, it was one of the largest jobs in the country. Back then it was a $3.7 million-dollar job. In today’s world, it would be close to $10 million! After finishing that job, Dad spent time speaking to other groups of roofers about the logistics of a job that size. 
In 2017, Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal celebrated its 90th Anniversary and we will continue that celebration into 2018! We have much to be thankful for and sometimes, in our busy lives, we forget to stop and take time to reflect on all that has been good and joyful during the past year.
We especially want to thank all our wonderful customers, for without your support and confidence in our ability to deliver on our promises, there would be no 90th Anniversary! We have a great family of team members who work hard, sometimes in sweltering heat or darn right cold conditions, always focused on our Mission to “Consistently deliver the highest quality commercial roofing and sheet metal products and services in the Kansas City region.” Our vendors, subs and the cooperation of other trades also plays an important role in our success and for that we thank you all. We also have celebrated new little ones entering this world, new team members and of course, the lives of friends and family we lost this year.
