Waste Diversion Efforts in Manufacturing: A Partnership Making a Big Impact

Under sunny blue skies, GAF hometown workers from Minneapolis joined over 4,000 Habitat for Humanity volunteers to donate their time and energy to the 2024 Carter Work Project in East St. Paul, Minnesota.The landmark 40th anniversary of the Carter Work Project celebrated former President Carter's 100th birthday. It also heralded the completion of 30 new all-electric homes in The Heights—the largest affordable housing development yet for Twin Cities Habitat—and marked the first installation of GAF Timberline Solar™ Energy Shingles.Supporting the Carter Work Project's PurposeGAF and the Habitat Carter Work Project share a common mission—to protect what matters most and bring people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Safe, secure, affordable housing is one of the surest routes to building resilient communities.Former President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter were early champions of affordable housing. In 1984, they partnered with Habitat for Humanity to lead an annual week-long housing build. The momentum grew, and now, four decades later, over 100,000 Habitat volunteers have helped construct over 4,400 affordable homes for families in need.Each year, GAF volunteers travel from around the country for the Carter Work Project. GAF Community Matters also donates roofing materials, training, and installation expertise. Since 2011, GAF and its national network of certified contractors have supported roofing installation on over 3,800 roofing systems in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity, impacting more than 15,500 individuals.Building Resilience in MinnesotaThis year was particularly special thanks to first time solar shingle installation at a Carter Work Project. Even more, the project's location was in a GAF hometown and local GAF employees were on-site to volunteer.Benefitting Homeowners by Going Solar"We're donating 40 roofing systems and 40 solar energy systems from GAF and GAF Energy," says Jake Pream, a territory manager for GAF Energy in Minnesota.In addition to energy production, the beauty of the GAF Timberline Solar™ Energy Shingle is its simplicity. The nailable shingles are "just like your typical Timberline HDZ® Shingles," says Fan Ulacia, Director of Product Deployment Applications for GAF Energy and one of the minds behind the solar shingle design. "They're simple enough to install with a nail gun, but they produce energy." For Ulacia, improving access to solar energy, giving back to the community, and helping homeowners gain energy independence make GAF Energy a great fit for the GAF Habitat partnership."The solar-powered roofing system will make these homes more resilient, generate energy, and be a long-term benefit to Habitat homeowners by helping to offset their energy costs," adds Jeff Terry, vice president of corporate social responsibility and sustainability at GAF, who has volunteered at the Carter Work Project for 26 years.Helping a GAF HometownThe Twin Cities Habitat build is also special because it means the Carter Work Project takes place in a GAF hometown. As Pream, a St. Paul native, puts it, "I have friends and family quite literally a few houses down."The Minneapolis GAF manufacturing facility opened in 1935, and "it's something we're really proud of," says Austin Owens, a local GAF technical manager. Over the years, "we've made improvements to equipment and operations and made changes to help the environment and sustainability. We try to help the community as much as possible."Like many GAF volunteers at the Carter Work Project site, Joey Och, a GAF plant process engineer, grew up in the area. "Affordable housing is something Minneapolis and St. Paul have been pushing for," says Och, "so it's nice to be out here and help. Affordable housing brings more people into the community."With GAF donating roofing and solar energy systems for this year's project, safe and affordable homeownership, with reduced energy bills, will be accessible to more people.This housing security helps strengthen the community. The area may experience severe weather and its share of hardship, but "there's a lot of resiliency in this community," says Owens.Carrying On the Carter Work Project in 2024 and BeyondFor many reasons, the Carter Work Project inspires repeat volunteers. "Community does matter," says annual participant and GAF CARE Learning and Development Instructor Michael Humenik. "It's just fun to volunteer. I look forward to coming out every year."Habitat homeowners who return each year to volunteer are the true testament to the transformational power of access to safe, affordable housing. LeAndra Estes brought her hard work and a big smile to the week-long Twin Cities build. Estes is an annual volunteer for the program that changed her life. "I need and I want to give back to Habitat for Humanity, to the affiliates and partners, and to the future homeowners to come," she notes.Estes puts into words the value of affordable housing and how the benefits ripple far beyond the home. "When you have a home, you don't just have that home and your family. Your community also becomes your family," she explains.Although former President Carter has retired his tool belt after decades of humanitarian service, he surely must have been proud to see his legacy continue to evolve, especially with the revolutionary new solar shingle that supports homeowners' financial independence.Ready to get involved? Explore the Habitat for Humanity GAF Contractor Program and change lives for the better, starting today.

As part of its effort to build resilient communities, GAF provides students across the country with opportunities to gain work experience and hands-on training. The GAF co-op program offers participants autonomy and leadership in project management, engineering design, budgeting, project installation, and more.Over the years, the GAF co-op recruiting program has helped students advance academically, grow professionally, and earn competitively while working full time with North America's largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer.How the GAF Co-Op Program WorksThe program gives students high-impact, hands-on experience in the manufacturing sector. They perform meaningful work alongside supportive GAF mentors and senior leadership while earning a competitive wage. Participants can also receive credits from their university, which they can apply to their coursework.Differences between a Co-op and an InternshipInternships and co-ops have a few notable differences. At GAF, the main difference is the length of time. Internships at GAF usually last 10 weeks, but the co-op program is six months. While internship programs often allow students to stay enrolled in school and complete coursework as they gain professional training, co-op participants must take a semester off to gain full-time work experience.Not all companies pay internship participants for their work. However, at GAF, both interns and co-op students are paid competitive hourly wages. GAF also offers financial relocation assistance for qualifying co-op program candidates.Finally, participants in the GAF programs are there to learn real skills that will help them advance their future careers. GAF interns and co-op students are given the same responsibilities, and chances to collaborate on major projects, as full-time employees.Recent GAF Co-Op Success StoriesMin U, a mechanical engineering student at the University of Maryland, says he "fell in love with manufacturing" thanks to his placement on an engineering project. The experience gave him a firsthand account of the role engineering plays in manufacturing safety, profit, and operations. This ultimately led him to shift his career goals from construction management to manufacturing engineering.When Dante Stellar, an industrial engineering student at Virginia Tech, met GAF representatives at a career fair, he says he didn't expect to become a self-proclaimed "nerd for shingles" and develop a passion for manufacturing. However, that's exactly what happened. And that newfound passion paid off when Dante won Student of the Year from Virginia Tech's Cooperative Education and Internship Program. Dante notes he's now eager to return to GAF and aspires to become a manufacturing leader in the world of shingles.Michael Hesseltine, an electrical engineering student at Texas A&M University, chanced upon a GAF co-op recruiting listing online. After a series of interviews, he landed a project engineering co-op in Ennis, Texas. Working with the Ennis team on major projects solidified his manufacturing engineer career goals.Co-Op Students Complete Meaningful WorkStudents in the GAF co-op program are involved in meaningful projects and get to see their work's impact on day-to-day operations.During his time in Ennis, Michael designed a baler that compacts fiberglass scrap, reducing site disposal trips and costs. He also oversaw renovations of the site's maintenance mechanical break room from start to finish. He notes that his favorite contribution was helping design the electrical system for a dewatering press.In Baltimore, Min's core project was ensuring site compliance with state regulations for discharging stormwater runoff. Min managed all the project contractors and budget with his manager's and mentor's support. Throughout his time there, Min was exposed to Lean methodologies, 5S, risk mitigation, insurance compliance, cost control, and procedure standardization. He gained an overall understanding of manufacturing equipment and business.At the Tampa plant, Dante worked on a rock pad storage expansion project and installed a starwheel machine guarding the manufacturing line, among other important projects. According to Dante, the defining moment of his co-op experience was his granule silo refurbishment project, which involved replacing eight silos, including floor plates and support beams.Dante explains the trust and opportunities his mentors provided were key to his success. "At GAF, I was given the chance to interact with contractors, and immerse myself in the plant, which accelerated my learning," he says.Co-Op Students Build Professional RelationshipsThrough "lunch and learn" sessions, leadership speaker series, meetings with senior leadership, and mentorship, co-op students build long-term professional relationships.Dante was given the chance to showcase the coordination and safety efforts involved in his granule silo project to the GAF executive leadership team in Parsippany, New Jersey.For Min, getting the right feedback to grow meant having the right relationships. He notes the mentorship from his manager Alex Smith and engineering manager Mike Kloda was key to his progression. As advice to future co-op participants, he explains that "everyone is here to help... but it's up to you to drive that forward."Meanwhile, the autonomy and leadership opportunities program leaders gave Michael allowed him to grow technically and professionally. "I was often the go-to person for projects, managing contractors and ensuring everything was on track," he says.Joining an Industry Filled with OpportunityThe GAF co-op program helped Min, Michael, and Dante start and solidify their careers in manufacturing engineering. Following their experience, each student was excited and motivated by the autonomy, responsibility, and growth opportunities they were given. In fact, Min has since accepted a full-time role as a project engineer at the GAF plant in Baltimore. His expected start date is July 7, 2025.GAF is committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the organization. It believes a talented and diverse organization can drive innovation, growth, and transformation more effectively. To further bolster inclusivity, GAF offers academic and merit scholarships, partners with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to recruit from the nation's most diverse talent at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominantly Black Institutions, and reaches out to candidates at career fairs nationwide.Bright and motivated minds who want to explore manufacturing have plenty of opportunities. From shingles to solar to environmental impact, GAF offers many exciting career paths.Are you ready to do work that matters and be empowered to explore a leadership role? Discover the co-ops, internships, and job opportunities available at GAF.

A group of local GAF employees in Burgaw, North Carolina, is making a difference for veterans and the community as a whole. In 2024 alone, Veteran Involvement Brings Excellence (VIBE) has undertaken several initiatives to give back to Burgaw as well as all who live and work there.Bill Price, GAF production supervisor II at the Burgaw manufacturing plant, is the champion for the group. He recently sat down to discuss VIBE's latest projects and share insight into its motivations.What Is the VIBE ERG at GAF?VIBE is an employee resource group (ERG) available for all GAF employees. It focuses on the needs of veterans who work at GAF, provides a place for employees to share their experiences, and helps foster opportunities for them to give back to their communities.Each GAF plant has a VIBE group and facility leader that organizes the team. GAF leadership supports each group and its community efforts.The VIBE ERG's mission is to create a supportive environment for veterans and active duty members from all military branches. The group's core values are integrity, duty, honor, and respect. VIBE provides personal support for members and helps them manage the realities of being a veteran, such as applying for benefits.Each VIBE group can work on or be involved in whatever projects they wish. While their primary focus is to support veterans, they also strive to give back to the local communities they live and work in.VIBE Projects in BurgawThe VIBE ERG at the Burgaw plant meets regularly to discuss the activities they want to get involved in. This year, the group has participated in several projects:17 GAF-employed veterans volunteered for the second annual Habitat for Humanity veteran's build, which GAF donated roofing materials for.Team members participated in a food and clothing drive for a local women's shelter.A local veteran service officer visited the plant to help workers learn about—and gain access to—benefits and resources.In honor of Memorial Day, VIBE provided an opportunity for volunteers to place flags at veterans' tombstones at Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery and Wilmington National Cemetery.That's not all the group has planned for. Future initiatives include hosting Toys for Tots at the plant, adopting a highway in honor of veterans, representing GAF at a booth for the Burgaw Blueberry Festival, and continuing to support local veterans in need.How VIBE Impacts GAF and the CommunityThe Burgaw facility, which employs about 247 people, has one of the largest veteran groups within GAF, totaling 28 members. The facility manufactures ventilation products, such as roof vents, foundation vents, turbines, and heating and cooling ductwork."The group has brought the veterans at the plant together to work toward a common goal and also given everyone the comradery they were accustomed to from when they were in the service," Price says. "I think this has had an impact not only on the employees involved but also on the plant as a whole. All of us involved enjoy being part of the team and giving back to those in need."Price notes that each project the group has been a part of has been well received. "We received many thanks from the families that were receiving assistance from the Habitat build and also from the staff at the local women's shelter during the food and clothing drive," he says. "I have no doubt that as we continue to be involved with more events within the community, it will only get better."Giving Back While Looking AheadGAF believes in giving back to its employees and the communities they work in. VIBE is just one of seven GAF ERGs making a difference in team members' lives and those most important to them.Curious to learn more about the opportunities and culture at GAF? Visit our GAF Careers page.