Thomas Keehn is a construction industry entrepreneur and custom home builder with more than three decades of leadership in residential contracting. A University of Maryland graduate in criminal justice, he began in hospitality before moving into home improvement sales with Universal Energy Corp, earning top performer recognition. He founded Certified Inc. in Olney, in 1990, where it achieved a No. 1 ranking in Maryland and 13th nationally for submitting Certainteed Corp. 5 Star warranties. In 2020 he established Certified Contractors Inc., where he consults with homeowners and manages materials, crews, and payroll. An active National Roofing Contractors Association member with a Better Business Bureau listed enterprise, he follows industry best practices and workforce standards. His background provides neutral context for this overview of how the NRCA supports roofing professionals through training, certification, and advocacy that strengthen quality and safety across the field.
How the NRCA Supports Industry Professionals
NRCA, short for the National Roofing Contractors Association, is among America’s leading construction trade groups. The organization started in 1886 and has served skilled roofing businesses and workers for generations. NRCA has become the leading voice that represents the profession’s interests and sets standards for knowledge, training, and innovation.
NRCA’s strategic plan looks ahead to shape the industry’s future while staying rooted in its mission to unite professionals and raise standards. Social responsibility plays a central role in this vision. The association leads on diversity and inclusion by fostering respectful, team-oriented environments and by offering Spanish-language resources that provide updates, technical guidance, and business support to Spanish-speaking contractors. Alongside these initiatives, NRCA promotes innovation and professionalism through education and workforce development.
Education is NRCA’s primary tool for building knowledge and leadership in the roofing industry. To ensure broad access, it offers flexible learning options in multiple formats, including online courses, in-person and virtual classes, and “Power Hours”—short, focused webinars where experts discuss topics ranging from legal updates to workforce development and mental health. NRCA also delivers technical and safety training through signature programs like TRAC (Training for Roof Application Careers), which offers structured onboarding and skills packages for systems such as thermoplastic membranes and asphalt shingles, and CERTA (Certified Roofing Torch Applicator), which prepares instructors to train workers in safe, torch-applied roofing practices.
In leadership development, NRCA provides foreman and field leadership training to build supervisory, communication, and management skills for crew leaders. Emerging senior leaders can join the Future Executives Institute (FEI), a three-year program on leadership and business strategy. Executives and business owners can access special training to lead teams effectively and refine company culture.
The association uses workforce development to help roofing professionals build skills and prepare for future work. For hands-on skill training, it leverages its Recruitment Toolkit and Careersinroofing.com platform to offer resources that companies can use to onboard and train new hires. Users can also access job descriptions, wage data, and employer connections here. Meanwhile, roof system installers who have completed training earn NRCA PRO Certification, a badge of excellence that demonstrates they possess the knowledge, skills, and experience to work competently. NRCA also partners with Career and Technical Education (CTE) schools to provide vocational roofing training and with SkillsUSA, which hosts contests where students demonstrate their abilities.
Advocacy is another cornerstone of NRCA’s mission. From taxes and energy efficiency to healthcare, labor, and regulatory reform, the association works to advance policies that support the roofing industry. Its Washington, DC, office leads this effort by engaging lawmakers, federal agencies, and coalitions, while representatives regularly meet with Congress to explain how legislation affects roofing businesses. NRCA also operates ROOFPAC, a political action committee that supports candidates aligned with industry needs, and partners with other trade groups to build unified positions on critical issues.
To keep members aligned with industry codes and best practices, NRCA has a technical services team. This group develops roofing manuals and tools, including Roof Wind Designer (which calculates design wind loads) and the EnergyWise Roof Calculator (which measures thermal performance).
About Thomas Keehn
Thomas Keehn of Maryland is a veteran contractor and business owner with roots in Maryland and operations in Wilmington, North Carolina. He founded Certified Inc. in Olney and later established Certified Contractors Inc., overseeing homeowner consultations, materials, crews, and payroll. His firm earned top rankings for Certainteed Corp. 5 Star warranty submissions. A University of Maryland graduate, he is active with the National Roofing Contractors Association and maintains a Better Business Bureau listed enterprise. Outside work he enjoys golf, hiking, boating, and travel.