During the 2025 International Roofing Expo® in San Antonio, NRCA announced David Karel, executive vice president of Garlock-French Roofing, Minneapolis, as the recipient of the John Bradford Volunteer Award. Karel received the award Feb. 20 during the NRCA 2025 Industry Awards and Reception.
The John Bradford Volunteer Award is presented to an individual in the roofing industry who has consistently demonstrated outstanding acts of volunteerism. Volunteerism takes many forms—some demonstrated locally and others nationally, such as the volunteer work performed at NRCA.
Karel began his roofing career in 1969 at Garlock-French Roofing, working summers and school breaks on the roof while attending the University of Minnesota. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in business, he began working full-time in sales and managing crews. In 1984, Karel bought the company and has worked at Garlock-French Roofing ever since.
During his 56 years in the roofing industry, Karel has generously volunteered his time to the industry and community. In 1998, he was elected to NRCA’s board of directors and subsequently served three terms. He also worked on numerous NRCA committees and was a significant contributor to NRCA’s Manual Update Committee and Technical Operations Committee. Karel served on several other technical committees; assisted NRCA’s Education Task Force; and served three terms on the board of directors for the National Roofing Legal Resource Center.
In his community, Karel has volunteered his time with Ronald McDonald House Charities, Habitat for Humanity, Feed My Starving Children and Source Ministries. When needed, he would send his own crews to help perform roof repairs and installations, often providing the materials and equipment himself. He also served for multiple years as a board member and then chairman of Trinity Church in Maplewood, Minn., and has worked with the youth group at Trinity Church for more than 20 years.
The John Bradford Volunteer Award is named after John Bradford, who served as NRCA’s president from 1982-83 and was a past president of the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association. He was instrumental in the development of the Montana Roofing Contractors Association, served on many boards throughout his roofing career and enjoyed civic involvements.
