Taylor Roofing welcomes Mel E. Weith as its new Business Development Director. Weith dedicated more than 30 years to community service with the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department where he graduated up the ranks from Corrections Officer to Undersheriff, Lt. Colonel.
“Mel brings invaluable community connections to his business development role at Taylor Roofing,” said Catherine Taylor Yank, owner of Taylor Roofing. “His community service background is full of financial management and event planning expertise that are assets when working in business development.”
While at the Sheriff’s Department, Weith’s accomplishments included successfully improving internal operations – recruitment, personnel, union and vendor contract negotiations, $10 million budget, community relations and financial planning. He also administered the successful implementation of the following programs: Stranger Danger, D.A.R.E., Explorer Post 555, Neighborhood Watch and Juvenile Diversion Programs. He also earned a graduate degree from the FBI National Academy and the National Sheriff’s Institute at the FBI National Academy.
“I’ve naturally gravitated to leadership and business development roles throughout my career at the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department and with the community organizations I’ve served,” said Weith. “I’m excited about my transition to Taylor Roofing and expanding my skills in maintaining and developing its client base.”
Weith is also an active member of the southwestern Illinois area serving in executive roles for the Rotary International District 6510, the Okaw Valley Council Boy Scouts of America, Backstoppers, Inc., the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation in Illinois, plus many more.
“Mel is an exciting and transformative addition to the Taylor Roofing team,” said Yank. “He brings valuable expertise that will help our company continue to grow and succeed in a difficult economic climate.”
As environmental conservation grows, more and more local buildings are incorporating Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. But this is not a standard just being applied to new construction. Instead, institutions such as Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville (SIUE) are updating older buildings with LEED ideas, including the Green Roof terrace installed by Taylor Roofing this fall at Rendleman Hall.
“SIUE is making an effort to make changes that save energy,” said Ralph Hall, project manager for William B. Ittner, Inc., who oversaw the Green Roof project. “The terrace area is designed with native plants to keep color on the rooftop through all seasons.”
We were thrilled by the turnout we received at the Nov. 5 “On The Roof” professional speakers’ series, co-sponsored by Taylor Roofing and Roofers Mart. The presentation by Carter Slusher, a Firestone engineer that holds several patents, provided valuable information on modified bitumen maintenance and repair.
Belleville News Democrate Report Will Buss spotlighted Taylor Roof’s new Vice President, Rick Klene on the front page of the Monday, Sept. 14, 2009 issue of the business section. 
In the wake of a storm, a flurry of so-called “storm chasers” step into action willing to work on roof or home repairs. Often these roofing crews present unbeatable bids that are quite appealing. However, the low bids come with an increased risk to you. Because these crews are often unlicensed, uninsured and not bonded, they can leave the job incomplete or not deliver quality work without many repercussions. Further, if someone is hurt while working on your roof, the onus of payment for medical attention will fall onto your homeowner’s insurance, or worse, the hurt worker could sue.
With the heavy spring rains behind us, we at Taylor Roofing are busy mending roofs and finishing projects throughout southern Illinois. We are proud to be working on the large re-roof project at SIU-Carbondale’s Faner Hall as well as other roof repairs throughout the region, but especially in Carbondale where severe weather was heavy this past spring.