Member Profile: Janial Mack, RRO

By Rick Gardner

How and when did you get involved with IIBEC?

I have been an IIBEC member since 2010 and a Registered Roof Observer (RRO®) since 2011. I am the national manager for consulting services at Carlisle SynTec Systems. We wanted to focus on our relationships with consultants. IIBEC was one way for us to do this.

What do you do on a typical day on the job?

I spend many of my days talking with consultants about design ideas and challenges, codes, project information, and warranty requirements for their projects. I also travel to customer offices, attend meetings, and industry events.

Which building enclosure project has been the most memorable—for good reasons or bad?

A recent project is the Church of Saint Aloysius in Jackson, New Jersey, that has a hyperbolic paraboloid roof that was leaking for years. The original architect designed what was intended to be an open-air venue roof, and a different architect added walls and put a metal roof on it. I worked with an IIBEC consultant on the project, Henry Vitale, RRO.

Have you had any mentors in the industry? What have they taught you?

I have had many mentors in this industry. Two that come to mind are Samir Ibrahim, F-IIBEC, AIA, and my father, Wally Mack.

As a leader, Samir showed me how to problem solve with creative technical solutions. He taught me leadership through demonstrating consensus management and high standards.

My dad taught me how to look at a situation from all perspectives and create win-win value propositions. He also taught me character, honesty, and integrity.

What advice would you give today to someone starting out in the industry?

This is a great industry when you find your passion. Make long-term decisions and be honest.

No one is going to like everything about this industry. I have passion for the technical side—construction—and especially the people.

What benefit of IIBEC membership has been most valuable to you?

The camaraderie and realism of the people of this organization. The sharing and friendship of the consultant community is the greatest benefit of IIBEC membership. IIBEC is an organization that demonstrates that the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it.

Can you tell us about your work in unit-price procurement?

It’s difficult to change behavior on a large scale. There are challenges for the people who are responsible for procuring goods for public buildings. They take the path of least resistance to get their job done. We have to work within the confines of their challenges and still do the best job we can for the taxpayers.

I got involved with the Coalition for Procurement Reform, which changed to the Coalition for Responsible Procurement.  My role was testifying in front of several government committees in several states to educate the representatives about what was happening with cooperative purchasing.

What are some of your hobbies and interests?

I enjoy working on my house to make sure I leave it better than I found it. I have a midcentury modern home, built in 1957. It’s a single-story ranch with three types of roofing. I have an EPDM adhered system, shingles, and a metal roof. The metal roof is on the addition. I am busy updating mechanical systems and cleaning and staining the wood siding. I have a bunch of big trees, so I spend my time managing the trees as well as the house itself.

What three traits define you?

Honesty, openness, and enthusiasm for this industry

You’re happiest when?

I am in a warm climate in a pool talking about roofing with customers.

Top three professional life highlights?

• Just last week I reached a milestone at Carlisle of 40 years employment.
• The camaraderie, love, and passion I receive from the consultant community.
• Living in four different states (Pennsylvania, Florida, Illinois, and Georgia) and traveling to all 50 states for work

Where would you most like to live, and why?

Exactly where I live now—close to my family and friends in a midcentury modern house that I love to be in and work on.

What would you do for a career if you weren’t doing this?

Medical device salesman or an attorney.

What would your last meal request be?

Bowl of pasta with homemade pesto made with basil from my own garden.

NFL or MLB?

MLB. I’m a Cubs fan.

Favorite show (streaming, cable, or network TV)?

Jeopardy and The Voice when it’s on.