Established in 2022 by NRCA’s Awards Committee, the John Bradford Volunteer Award is presented at NRCA’s annual convention to a roofing industry professional who has consistently demonstrated outstanding acts of volunteerism with NRCA and in his or her community.
This prestigious award is named after NRCA’s 1982-83 president, John Bradford. Bradford participated in various community volunteer activities and emphasized altruism during his years of industry participation and leadership. Bradford was instrumental in the development of the Montana Roofing Contractors Association and served as president of the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association.
NRCA's Award Committee will assess nominees based on their attributes and participation in NRCA and industrywide events. Questions may be directed to Chrystine Hanus, an NRCA director of communications, at chanus@nrca.net.
2024 John Bradford Award winner
During the 2024 International Roofing Expo® in Las Vegas, NRCA announced Hap Esbenshade, chairman and CEO of The Mountain Company, Vienna, W.Va.; Laurel Management Group, Vienna; and Tri-State/Service Roofing & Sheet Metal Company, Vienna, as the recipient of the John Bradford Volunteer Award. Esbenshade received the award Feb. 7 during the NRCA 2024 Industry Awards Ceremony.
A graduate of Duke University, Esbenshade has been actively involved with NRCA and the Roofing Alliance for more than 40 years. His company recently celebrated 100 years of service to communities in the mid-Atlantic, Midwest and southeastern U.S.
Esbenshade’s company was one of the first contractors to join the Roofing Alliance and has contributed more financially to the Roofing Alliance than any other contractor member. In addition, it was his vision to create the Melvin Kruger Endowed Scholarship Fund, which has provided scholarships to 149 students totaling more than $1 million.
With NRCA, his 40 years of volunteerism have included serving on 25 committees and NRCA’s board of directors. He was instrumental in creating NRCA’s Contractor Management Committee because he understands the value of educating contractors about the business management side of running a roofing company.
Esbenshade’s company has adopted the roofs of 11 Ronald McDonald Houses in the communities he serves through the Roofing Alliance’s program, providing free labor to keep families in need safe and dry. He has served as chairman of the development committee of his alma mater, Duke University. Esbenshade also serves on the board of Marietta College in Ohio; oversees the Spartan Kids Foundation, which provides extraordinary experiences to underserved and challenged kids; and has been president of his local Boys and Girls Club. He donated an auditorium to the business school at West Virginia University that is dedicated to his father, and two years ago, he was inducted into the West Virginia Business Hall of Fame.
Previous John Bradford Award Winners
- 2023 | Bill Collins
- 2022 | Jude Laperouse