Source: Roofing Contractor Magazine / Article by Roofing Contractor Staff

June 18, 2024 — Beacon announced yesterday that Brooke Laizure, Owner of Whirlwind Roofing & Construction in Bixby, Okla., is the winner of the 2024 North American Female Roofing Professional of the Year campaign, which highlights women in the roofing industry across North America. 

Whirlwind specializes in residential roofing replacement, repair and restoration and is proudly family-owned and operated, Beacon said in a June 17 news release announcing the 2024 winner.

Laizure is a founding member of the National Women in Roofing and chairs the NWIR Oklahoma Council, which she co-founded in 2019. Through NWIR, she is involved in “Build My Future,” a one-day construction career day for high school students in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Okla., offering them hands-on exhibits from organizations in the skilled trades. 

She also supports Women Accessing Non-Traditional Trades and is a member of the American Indian Chamber of Commerce. She has served as an Oklahoma Roofing Contractors Association board member and is passionate about her education, earning Xactimate Level 3 Certification. Whirlwind is also a Fortified Home-designated roofing company.

“We launched this campaign to recognize females in roofing four years ago and were thrilled with the nearly 3,000 entries we received this year highlighting women throughout North America who are dedicated to their career, the industry, and their communities,” said Jennifer Lewis, Beacon’s vice president, Communications & Corporate Social Responsibility. 

“It’s a privilege to acknowledge Brooke for her exceptional work ethic and commitment to empowering women. Her impressive achievements and dedication to uplifting other women led to her recognition as North American Female Roofing Professional of the Year,” Lewis added.

“I am incredibly grateful and humbled to accept this award from Beacon Building Products and thankful for the support I have received from my family, friends, and peers,” Laizure said upon hearing the news. “Being named the North American Female Roofing Professional of the Year goes beyond personal accomplishment; it’s a celebration of empowerment in an industry where women continue to break barriers and redefine what it means to be a professional roofing contractor. I hope my story inspires other women to pursue their passions and make a difference in the industry.”

From March 8 through April 10, Beacon solicited nominations of outstanding female roofing professionals and then opened voting to the public from May 15 through June 5.

The other top four finalists were:

• Millie Hindes – Watergate Roofing, Indianapolis, Ind.
• Sarah Lechowich – True North Roofing, Cottage Grove, Minn.
• Tomie Kay Morse – Morse Home Improvement, Dagsboro, Del.
• Melanie Knox – Restoration Builders, Round Rock, Texas

Honorable Mentions went to:

• Stephanie Baird, Bliss Roofing, Happy Valley, Ore.
• Tori Bobbs, Poseidon Roofing, LLC, Fort Myers, Fla.
• Gina Farese, Marcor Construction, West Babylon, N.Y.
• Heather Hitchcock, Royal Roofing, Deer Park, Texas
• Stacy Lytton, Horch Roofing, Warren, Maine
• Katelyn Reynolds, Property Masters, Pendleton, Ind.
• Madelyn Smith, House Works of America, Columbia, S.C.
• Sarah Wilis, WxTite, Greensboro, N.C.

For more information, visit becn.com.