Texas A&M’s Old Army Roofing Team Wins 1st Place at the 2025 Roofing Alliance Competition with the Help of King of Texas Roofing Company’s Support
Under the bright lights of the 2025 NRCA International Roofing Expo, six elite teams stepped onto the stage, each fighting for the top spot. After months of rigorous preparation, only one could claim victory.
Texas A&M’s Old Army Roofing Team rose to the challenge, securing 1st place in the prestigious Roofing Alliance Competition, a testament to their dedication, skill, and teamwork. This win wasn’t just about the competition; it was the result of months of hard work, expert mentorship, and unwavering support from industry leaders like King of Texas Roofing Company and Texas A&M’s dedicated faculty. Let’s take a closer look at the journey that led them to this incredible achievement.
A Year of Dedication
This award represents a full year of preparation. The competition begins with 10-12 teams submitting detailed 40+ page proposals, with only six finalists advancing to present at IRE. Students from Texas A&M’s Construction Management Program dedicate months to estimating, plan reading, safety, logistics, permits, technical issue solutions, and more, gaining valuable real-world experience along the way.
What Makes This Competition Unique?
Students choose to participate based on their passion for roofing.
They face high-pressure, real-world presentations judged by experts.
The competition simulates real contractor challenges, from safety to compliance.
This sets them up to have real-world experience building their opportunities to be well-prepared and able to kick-start their career in roofing. Some of the students are offered internships and full-time positions. This gives them a leg up when it comes to the competitive job application process and recognition in the industry in comparison to their peers.
The Mentor Behind the Team: Kyle Cahill
Just three years ago, Kyle stood where these students are now,
nervous, excited, and ready to prove himself. He remembers the late nights spent refining proposals and the pressure of presenting to industry leaders. Now, as a mentor, he ensures the next generation is prepared to take on that challenge as the leading expert from both sides of the competition.
“This competition not only brings hands-on experience to these students but also creates lifelong friendships.” – Kyle Cahill.
After competing in this competition himself, Kyle interned with King of Texas Roofing Company and is currently a Project Manager. Now, he guides students through the complexities of the competition and the roofing industry. This program has come full circle in his life, and he can’t wait to see all the wonderful things his past, current, and future students will accomplish during their careers while having this experience under their belts.
The Final Showdown at IRE
This year’s project was no ordinary roofing job; it was a roofing project near a busy airport, where FAA regulations added layers of complexity. Teams had to factor in flight paths, material transport logistics, and strict noise restrictions while staying within budget and timeline constraints.
Each year this competition is held at a different location alongside the IRE. This allows for the students to be handling different situations and responsibilities. Whether is a re-roofing project or a new construction build these two differences alone call for completely different protocols. The competition truly prepares students for general contractor responsibilities, emphasizing technical expertise, safety, and business strategy.
Industry Support & Leadership
Behind every successful team is a leader who believes in them. For Texas A&M’s Old Army Roofing Team, that leader was Kelly Van Winkle, CEO of King of Texas Roofing Company. By sponsoring this competition, she played a huge role in ensuring these students had the resources and guidance they needed. Her dedication is not just about this team, it’s about paving the way for future roofing professionals.
Alongside the King of Texas Team, the students were guided by faculty advisor Dr. Zhang, whose roofing expertise significantly contributed to their success. His dedication to the success of his students didn’t go unnoticed and he played a critical role in taking home the title.
The Reality of Roofing: Skill & Opportunity
“Roofing is a trade where people can make real money, but you must have talent and dedication to be successful.” – Debbie Parker, Director of Human Resources.
The competition exposes students to real-life roofing challenges and career opportunities. Many go on to work in roofing, gaining experience in estimating, logistics, and project management. This competition allows the students to see first-hand the importance that general contractors have on the projects at hand, in this case specifically roofing.
Advice for Future Roofing Professionals
1. “Never stop learning.” -Kyle
2. “Be willing to ask questions.” -Kyle
3. “You don’t know what you don’t know.” -Kyle
Key Skills for Success in Roofing
· Attention to detail
· Willingness to learn from seasoned professionals
· Understanding the full scope of roofing projects
· Ability to adapt to situations and find solutions quickly
Seeing Work Come to Life
When asked what his favorite part of his job is Kyle shared about the incredible feeling he has when he knows he is having such a fundamental impact on his community.
“I travel a ton and enjoy flying in and out of DFW to recognize all of the amazing roofs I have been involved with in helping keep my community safe.” – Kyle Cahill.
Congratulations to the 2025 Old Army Roofing Team!
This victory is more than a trophy, it’s a launching pad for the next generation of roofing professionals. The Old Army Roofing Team has set the standard for excellence, proving that with hard work, mentorship, and passion, the future of roofing is in great hands.
Gig ‘Em, Old Army Roofing!