BETHESDA, Md.—The EPDM Roofing Association has named Jennifer Ford-Smith, director of marketing and single ply product management at Johns Manville, as its new chairman.
Ford-Smith is the first woman to be named chairman of the ERA, the association said. She replaces John Geary, director of education and industry relations at Firestone Building Products L.L.C.
“I am honored to serve as chairman of ERA,” Ford-Smith said in a statement. “This organization has done extensive work to provide peerless science detailing the benefits of EPDM. I look forward to being part of ERA's effort to help members of the building industry choose the right roofing membrane to fit their needs.”
Ford-Smith also serves on the advisory council of Women in Roofing, a volunteer organization of the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association that supports women nationally and provides them opportunities in the industry to participate in networking, mentoring and education.
She joined Johns Manville in 2002 as product manager and has served the company in positions of increased responsibility for the last 13 years.
“We are fortunate to have Jennifer leading our efforts,” Ellen Thorp, associate executive director of ERA, said in a statement. “ERA is playing an increasingly active role in code-setting and regulatory activities, as well as serving as a source of information for the industry about our products. Ford-Smith has the leadership skills and in-depth knowledge of roofing membranes to take us to an even higher level of service to the building industry.”
ERA is a trade association that represents the manufactures of EPDM single-ply roofing products and their suppliers. It provides technical and research support to the public and construction industry.