Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal: Taking Teamwork to New Heights

Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal Co. has been a leader in Kansas City’s commercial construction industry since 1927. What’s the secret to staying in business for over 90 years? The answer lies within Cornell’s four key operating principles of integrity, dependability, quality, and responsibility. The company was founded on these values and the commitment to continually invest in innovation and equipment, and their most valuable asset – their employees. 

 

This dedication to people and creating a positive, rewarding work environment is a key factor in Cornell’s longevity and gives the company a competitive edge in the field. Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal’s leadership, professional staff, and highly skilled construction crews are experts in the commercial roofing and sheet metal trades. They have literally covered many of the most iconic and prominent commercial, healthcare, educational, government properties in the Kansas City region. Their knowledge and leadership in the industry have raised the bar for commercial roofing and sheet metal work in Kansas City.

 

“Promises made. Promises kept, since 1927,” is a phrase you hear often at Cornell. As a team, they are bonded in their commitment and collective promises to:

  • Finish what they start, on time and on budget;
  • Pay relentless attention to even the smallest detail;
  • Use the very best products;
  • Never cut one corner;
  • Be the roofing and sheet metal company customers can depend on.

 

Being in business nearly 100 years takes a lot of grit, determination, and – most importantly – a culture where your team can thrive. Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal Co. checks all those boxes. In continued efforts to recognize their talented team, Cornell will soon begin a series on social media in which a staff or crew member will be featured each month. Be sure to follow @cornellroofingandsheetmetal on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter for these spotlight stories and to see some of Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal’s featured projects in the Kansas City area.

 

The MRCA, A Family Affair

Mary McNamara, Owner and President of Cornell, was recently appointed to the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association (MRCA) Board. McNamara continues a tradition of service to the roofing industry from the McNamara family at the regional and national levels.

Humble Beginnings

The MRCA  traces its beginnings to early 1950. For several years discussion of the benefits of a regional organization to represent roofing contractors had been going on. It was after a roofing clinic in Topeka, Kansas on January 12, 1950 that the organization was created.

Then Everything Changed

While conventions have always been a part of the MRCA, they began as a forum for contractors to gather and exchange ideas. In 1965, the first technical research project titled “Don’t Panic – Here’s How to Make a Roof Drain”, was published. Despite how it sounds today, it revolutionized the roofing industry. Overnight architects uniformly adopted the projects recommendations and the industry began changing.

Continuing a Tradition of Service

“ I am Honored to be appointed to the MRCA Board and look forward to collaborating with the many talented members of this

The MRCA, Organization, Midwest Roofing Contractors Association
Rob McNamara

organization,” McNamara stated. Her father, Jim McNamara was President of the Chicago Roofing Contractors Association. McNamara’s Uncle Don, served as president of the organization in 1981 and was awarded its highest honor, the James Q. McCawley Award in 1982. Don’s son Rob also served as its president. Its safe the say this has become a family affair.

MRCA Drives Positive Change

From the first industry altering publication, the MRCA Technical and Research (T&R) Committee was formed and has presented studies that have dramatically impacted the industry. As a result, the industry has seen an improvement of products and architects and specifiers have been influenced and guided to follow sound roofing practices. The MRCA has continually worked to improve the conditions for the roofing contractors and ultimately their customers. For more information visit: www.MRCA.org

Renovating the First Baptist Church

Renovate, commercial, historic, renovation, Kansas City, First Baptist ChurchLocated on West Truman Road, the First Baptist Church of Independence, which has undergone renovating, traces its roots back over 120 years to 1896. As such, the church has been a part of American history and is listed on the Historic Registry.

Queen City of the Trails

Independence Missouri was the declared the starting point for the Oregon Trail by no less than an act of Congress! The City of Independence is still considered the “Queen City of the Trails” as it was a point of departure for the California, Oregon and Santa Fe Trails.

Decades later, it was into this bustling city that The First Baptist Church of Independence was established.

The Trumans

President Harry S. Truman and his wife, First Lady Bess Truman grew up and are buried in their beloved city, Independence. Their home and The Truman Library are both popular tourist attractions.

A Rebirth

Built well after the Civil War, the church has endured over 120 years of Missouri weather.

Renovating

Cornell Roofing and Sheet Metal was hired for renovation of the church roofs and steeple, bringing them back into shape after many years of wear and tear.

As the images show, the finished look of the renovated roofing system and steeple give the church a fresh new look.

The attached short video shows a Cornell team member putting the finishing touches to the steeple and gives a birds-eye view of the beautiful new roofs.

The renovating of the church also includes the restoration from inside and out. These efforts culminated in the recent 1896 Building Restoration Benefit Concert to restore the worship sanctuary.

Cornell Roofing is proud to have played a part to help bring back the First Baptist Church of Independence to its original glory. For more information on the church, you can visit their site at: www.fbcindep.org

 

Cornell’s Andrew Christ Joins ASA Board on DC Fly-In

Commercial Roofing Kansas City, Commercial Sheet Metal FabricatorsCornell’s Andrew Christ, joined the rest of the American Subcontractors Association (ASA), Board as part of a “DC Fly-In” to meet with House and Senate Congressional Members. Eight upcoming legislative issues concerning America’s subcontractors are on the agenda including; Retainage, Bid Listing, and Change Orders.  According to Andrew, “During our fly- in, we met with nine Congressional Members, or their staffs, to inform them we support these issues as an organization.” Andrew added, “Members included; U.S. House Small Business Committee, three U.S. Senators, and four Members of the House of Representatives.”

Mary McNamara, Cornell President, added, “Supporting the industry has always been a part of Cornell’s Mission and Vision. We are proud of the work Andrew and the rest of the ASA Board are doing at the local and national level.” Andrew currently serves as Vice President for the ASA of Greater Kansas City.

The American Subcontractors Association (ASA) is the national trade association promoting the rights and interests of contractors and suppliers. It is dedicated to quality construction, ethical and equitable business practices, safety in the workplace, and industry best-practices. The ASA represents more 2,400 construction subcontractors who employ over 18,000 employees annually impacting buildings and communities across the nation.

For more information on the ASA National click home below:

Home

For more information on the ASA of Greater Kansas City: https://www.subcontractorskansas.com/

EXPO EXTRA! Take Home This 55″ 4K Smart TV TOMORROW!

Kansas City Commercial Roofing

 

Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal wants to give YOU a brand-new TV at The Builders’ EXPO.  Just stop by booth #70, drop in a card and you could walk out with the perfect addition to the favorite place in your home. Remodel not included!

Today Marks the International Women’s Day of 2019

Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal is celebrating the 2019 International Women’s Day (IWD), by supporting this year’s theme; “Balance for Better.” According to the day’s official website, the holiday is “a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.” The first unofficial celebration of the day was in 1911. Beginning in 1913, the IWD has been celebrated each year on March 8th.

A Global Perspective

From its very beginnings in Copenhagen, the IWD has been, and is, a truly global event. The United Nations celebrated the IWD for the first time in 1975. The women’s movement has changed over the long history of the IWD. The globalization of media access, possibly best highlighted by the rapid growth and expansion of social media, has helped heighten the awareness of women’s issues.

A 21st Century Focus

Recognizing much has changed, both here at home and around the globe, the IWD is committed to celebrating more than a day marking the accomplishments of women. That realization is reflected in today’s focus on gender parity, an issue that impacts people in all countries regardless of gender. This focus will remain as one of the IWD’s top priorities moving forward.

All of us at Cornell wish women both here in the Greater Kansas City area and around the globe, a wonderful and prosperous day, not just on March 8th, but throughout the year.  In more and more fields including both the public and private sectors, women are taking on leadership roles, breaking through barriers and working side-by-side with their male counterparts to get the job done.

For more on the IWD and how you can get involved and for events surrounding today, click: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/About

There you will find additional links. From watching inspirational videos to lists and videos of women who have made a difference in many areas, the IWD urges us all to think globally but act locally on the issue of gender parity.[fts_facebook type=page id=117559644971824 access_token=EAAP9hArvboQBAG2FnnoJvrmEBJ1rWunhq7rmS5UDStZCPjQ7kj9MTfLdjvppPglZAAr8UhNqs0a3fMXHiYNU11dzyV83xeWI3ZCaaysZBUXgkCGRjcCQu6cxG9w38vBp33F6VTDY8SPXbzZBQLJ0LzZCBynirxJigZAn9OkMZAVEaAZDZD posts=6 description=yes posts_displayed=page_only]

Taking Extra Care For Extra Special Families

Currently Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal is working over St. Luke’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). We are working with JE Dunn on this project and my men and women on this job understand the sensitivity of the site we are working over.

We are working with extreme caution to create as little noise and to minimize any and all distress we may cause these parents of our tiniest little fighters. We have laid down extra materials at our own cost so there is no migration of smell.

The job is a “silent”, meaning only talk when necessary. Extra hand wringing is practiced in the event of rain. If it is raining 100 miles away we are taking ZERO risks to avoid accidently creating a leak.

I just want to thank all of our men and women on this job.  We are working at such a special part of the hospital.  Your extra care and concern is greatly appreciated.It was sunny out on September 25th, but rain was predicted and we stayed away.  We want to also thank JE Dunn for understanding our extra weather precautions.    Mary McNamara

WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER! Oh, it was a 55” TV! Nevermind…

Commercial roofing kansas city with commercial sheet metal in kansas cityKirk Walters, JE DUNN LEED® Green Associate and Project Manager WAS feeling Lucky at The Builders Association Industry EXPO. He was all smiles as Mary McNamara, Cornell Roofing and Sheet Metal’s Owner, presented him with the  Grand Prize, a 55” Hi-Def TV!kansas city commercial roofing prize from Cornell roofing and sheet metal kansas city

Kirk was not the only winner as Cornell gave a number of our great cooler bags as giveaways during the Builders’Association drawings throughout the EXPO.

”This year’s Industry EXPO was a great opportunity to mix and mingle as well as take advantage of some great training session,” said Mary McNamara, Owner of Cornell Roofing. We continue to be proud sponsors of Builders’ Association industry events,”added Mary. Cornell continues to bring that training to bear with innovative techniques and the latest in productivity enhancing equipment. commercial roofing in kansas city along with Cornell Roofing and Sheet in Kansas city

Supporting the industry has always been part of Cornell’s Mission & Vision as Cornell continues to play important rolls on numerous industry and civic boards.

If you’re looking for an exceptional commercial roofing and sheet metal company, Cornell has the experience (Over 90 years), and the expertise (on-going OSHA and industry training), to handle any commercial  roofing and sheet metal project.

 

Cornell Roofing News Flash: Win a 55” TV at The Builder’s Association EXPO!

kansas city commercial roofing, kansas city custom sheet metalStop by Booth 60 at The Builder’s Association EXPO, drop a card and WIN! Grand Prize will be a 55” INSIGNIA TV! The Perfect addition to any Man Cave, Family Room or Covered Patio!

Cornell is proud to continue as a Major Sponsor of this important Construction Industry Event. ”We Commercial roofing in kansas city with custom sheet metalalways enjoy the Builder’s Association Expo because it lets us take a break and just spend some time with old friends and make some new ones.” Said Mary McNamara, Owner and President of Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal.

 

The Builder’s Association is constantly looking to provide innovative new programs and educational opportunities for seasoned professionals as well as the next generation of the building trade.Young commercial roofers in kansas city

So, we hope to see you on the 18th at Bartle Hall! GOOD LUCK on the drawing!