Building Enclosure Consultants Rush to Sacramento for the 2026 IIBEC International Convention and Trade Show

By Christian Hamaker
MORE THAN 1,500 building enclosure consultants and design professionals rushed to Sacramento, California, in March—but not for gold. Instead,
the city played host to the building enclosure industry’s premier event, the 2026 IIBEC International Convention and Trade Show.
The show, which ran March 12–15, took place at the SAFE Convention Center. Registration and badge pickup started Wednesday, the same day the
IIBEC Board of Directors met to discuss the organization’s current health and future plans. Several IIBEC staff members reported to the board on recent
membership trends and achievements.

DAY ONE

DAY THREE

Day Three of the 2026 IIBEC International
Convention and Trade Show honored several
of its members for excellence and longevity
during its annual Awards Ceremony on Saturday,
March 14—a day filled with networking
opportunities and more education sessions.
The annual Awards Ceremony, sponsored
by Sika, kicked off with IIBEC Executive Vice
President and CEO Brian Pallasch introducing
a video highlighting the four winners of IIBEC’s
Excellence in Building Enclosure Consulting
(EBEC) Awards. The EBEC Award in the Roofing
category went to Milirsan Pugalendiran, RRO.
In the Waterproofing category, the winner
was Christopher W. Giffin, F-IIBEC, RRC, AIA.
In the Exterior Wall category, the award went
to Jennifer Hogan, RWEC, CBECxP, RRO, LEED
AP, Certified Passive House Consultant. In the
Building Enclosure category, the winner was
Christopher Grey, RRC, REWC, PE.
The Horowitz Award for the best technical
article in the past year in IIBEC Interface magazine
went to Stephen Patterson, F-IIBEC, RRC, PE, and
Jordan Beckner, RRC, for their July 2025 article,
“Impact Resistance of Roof Coverings.”
Next up were the Outstanding Chapter Awards.
This year, 26 out of 27 chapters received awards for
their work this past year. Silver-level awards went
to the Ohio Valley Chapter, the West Michigan
Chapter, and the Central Texas Chapter. Gold-level
awards went to the Delaware Valley Chapter,
the New England Chapter, the Georgia Chapter, the
Virginia Chapter, the Great Lakes Chapter,
the Arizona Chapter, the Puget Sound Chapter, the
Northern California Chapter, the Quebec Ontario
Chapter, the Wisconsin Chapter, and the Colorado
Chapter. Chapters achieving Platinum level were
the Metro New York Chapter, the Mid-Atlantic
Chapter, the Carolinas Chapter, the Florida
Chapter, the Mid-South Chapter, the Chicago
Area Chapter, the Gulf Coast Chapter, the North
Texas Chapter, the Southern California Chapter, the
Portland Chapter, the Southern Ontario Chapter, and
the Western Canada Chapter.
Pallasch then asked 25-year, 30-year, 35-year,
and 40-year IIBEC members who were present to
stand and be recognized.
Tom Gernetzke took the stage to present the
Herbert Busching Award, which went to Appupillai
“Bas” Baskaran, R-IIBEC, PhD, PEng. Gernetzke
then inducted new members into the Jury of
Fellows. New inductees this year are John C. Wylie,
RBEC, RRO, PE, and Chris Dawkins, PE. Gernetzke
then presented a distinct honor to Karen McElroy,
only the eighth recipient to be recognized as an
Honorary Member of IIBEC.
Brian Pallasch returned to the stage to present
the Emerging Professionals Award of Excellence to
Mallory Buckley, RRO, PE. The Michael DeFrancesco
Outstanding Volunteer Award went to Stephanie
Robinson, PEng.
The IIBEC Staff Longevity Award went to
RCI-IIBEC Foundation Development Officer Rick
Gardner.
Dawkins took the stage again to present the
President’s Award to Charles T. Sietmann, RRC,
RRO, REWO, CCCA, CIT. Last, the Joe F. Hale
Lifetime Achievement Award was presented
to Arthur Sark, F-IIBEC. Sark attended every
IIBEC International Convention and Trade Show
until this year, but Dawkins said he was able to
travel the week prior to this year’s convention
and trade show to present the award in person
to Sark.
AFTERNOON EDUCATION
Afternoon education sessions focused on
waterproofing shotcrete, the complexities
of condensation, and trends in roof re-cover
applications.
A variety of receptions closed Day Three of
the convention and trade show, with the new
IIBEC Sacramento Valley Branch hosting an
event for the first time, another year of the
V.I.Platinum Hour, an appreciation event for
platinum sponsors, and another successful
Emerging Professionals Networking Reception.

DAY FOUR

The 2026 IIBEC International Convention and
Trade Show wrapped up on March 15 with
the RCI-IIBEC Foundations’ Live Auction and
Reception, the President’s Banquet, and the
announcement of election results for IIBEC’s
secretary/treasurer.
Conventiongoers rose early to attend the first
block of education sessions, choosing between
talks on wind uplift performance of mechanically
attached roof assemblies, soffit detailing
strategies for performance and durability, and
case studies on water penetration in existing
buildings. Aaron B. Nelson, RBEC, RRO, then
presented a general session for all attendees,
“The 1,000,000 Square-Foot Conundrum and
Other Boxes to Climb Out Of.”
The final block of morning education featured
sessions focused on the effects of interior air
management systems on exterior enclosure
performance and on how to get started with
artificial intelligence.
ANNUAL MEETING OF
THE MEMBERS
The Annual Meeting of the Members included
the announcement of election results for IIBEC’s
secretary/treasurer. Jon Cannon, RRC, REWC,
RRO, REWO, CDT, was named the winner of the
election. The full IIBEC Board of Directors for
2026–2027 is:
• President: Jennifer Hogan, REWC, CBECxP,
RRO, LEED AP, Certified Passive House
Consultant, Pretium Engineering Inc.
• First Vice President: Burt Carver, RRC, RRO,
Apex Building Sciences Inc.
DAY FOUR
• Second Vice President: Julie Palmer, RRO,
Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc.
• Secretary/Treasurer: Jon Cannon, RRC, REWC,
RRO, REWO, CDT
• Immediate Past President: Chris Dawkins, PE,
Beech Consulting Inc.
• Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice
President: Brian Pallasch, CAE, IIBEC
• Region I: Norm Crouse, RRO, Dedicated Roof &
Hydro Solutions
• Region II: Nick Tribble, RRO, SKA Consulting
Engineers Inc.
• Region III: Charles T. Sietmann, RRC, RRO,
REWO, CCCA, CIT, Building Technology Group
• Region IV: Mallory Buckley, RRO, PE, BECxP +
CxA+BE, Walter P Moore & Associates
• Region V: André Coppin, RRC, RRO, RA,
Cornerstone Architectural Group
• Region VI: Jon Solland, RRC, RWC, RRO, PEng,
RJC Engineers
• Region VII: Stephanie Robinson, PEng, WSP
Canada Inc.
AUCTION AND BANQUET
Following additional afternoon education
sessions, the RCI-IIBEC Foundations’ Live Auction
and Reception, which supports scholarships,
research, education, and the next generation
of building enclosure professionals, took place,
followed by the President’s Banquet—the final
event of the 2026 IIBEC International Convention
and Trade Show.
The 2027 IIBEC International Convention
and Trade Show will take place March 18–21 in
San Antonio, Texas.

FOUNDATIONS

FEW INDIVIDUALS HAVE demonstrated
the sustained commitment, leadership, and
loyalty to the International Institute of Building
Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC) that Arthur “Art”
Sark, F-IIBEC, has exemplified over more than
4 decades of service. A charter member and
foundational leader during the organization’s
early years as the Roof Consultants Institute
(RCI), Sark’s influence is woven into the very
fabric of IIBEC’s history and growth.
Sark’s connection to IIBEC spans over 40 years,
during which he has been an unwavering
presence at every annual convention—a record
unmatched in the institute’s history. His decades
of active participation symbolize the continuity,
dedication, and institutional memory that
have guided IIBEC from its formative years
to its position today as a globally respected
professional association.
“Art’s support of RCI/IIBEC has spanned longer
than most professional careers in our industry,”
said Tom Gernetzke, F-IIBEC, RBEC, RRC, RWC,
REWC, CBECxP. “His unassuming, steadfast
dedication has quietly set a legendary example
for all of us.”
Sark’s leadership began early. In 1990,
he was elected as Region II director,
representing members during a pivotal time
in the organization’s development. In 1993, he
obtained his Registered Roof Consultant (RRC®)
credential, maintaining that distinction for
28 years.
His leadership trajectory continued as he
rose through the ranks, ultimately serving as
IIBEC president in 1996–1997. His presidency
coincided with a challenging era in which the
association faced financial and membership
hurdles. Sark’s steady guidance, pragmatic
leadership, and unwavering optimism helped
lay the groundwork for the organization’s future
growth and stability.
Beyond his formal leadership roles, Sark has
consistently strengthened IIBEC through his
committee service. As chair of the Nominating
Committee in 2009, he ensured the continued
development of strong and capable leaders—a
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Art Sark Receives Joe F. Hale
Lifetime Achievement Award
From IIBEC
contribution that, while often behind the scenes,
has had lasting impact on the stability and
governance of the institute. His longstanding
participation on various committees has shaped
IIBEC’s policies, programs, and professional
standards for generations of members.
Sark has attended every IIBEC convention
since the organization’s inception—a record that
reflects both loyalty and love for the building
enclosure profession. His decades of mentorship,
committee service, and advocacy have made
him a respected figure across generations
of members.
In recognition of his meritorious service, in
1996 Sark was named a Fellow of IIBEC (F-IIBEC),
one of the organization’s highest honors, and
was also granted member emeritus status in
2012. Yet his contributions extend far beyond
titles. Sark has served as a mentor, ambassador,
and living historian for the institute, always ready
to share institutional knowledge, encourage
participation, and embody the professional
integrity and collegial spirit that define
IIBEC’s values.
Sark’s lifetime of extraordinary service—from
leading through the organization’s formative
challenges to his enduring commitment over
4 decades and his example of loyalty and
professionalism—embodies the spirit of the
Joe F. Hale Lifetime Achievement Award. His
unwavering dedication, historical continuity, and
quiet but powerful influence have made him one
of the most respected and beloved figures in
IIBEC’s history. He stands as a model for what it
means to serve a profession and an association
for a lifetime.
AN UPDATE ON ART SARK
Contacted ahead of receiving his Joe F. Hale
Lifetime Achievement Award, Art Sark was
eager for his IIBEC colleagues to know
how he was doing. We caught him in a
reflective mood.
“I’ve been involved all through IIBEC’s history,”
Sark said. “I was in the first class of IIBEC. In
1983 they let everyone that was participating
be a charter member. I attended every IIBEC
convention through 2025, and I was an RRC®
from 1993 until 2021.”
In July 2000, Sark started Rogers & Sark
Consulting Inc., in the Orlando, Florida, area,
building it, at its peak, to a nine-member firm. Sark
stepped away from the business last September.
At the time of our interview, Sark was at the
Orlando Regional Medical Center after falling
and breaking his femur. Sark’s recollection of his
time with IIBEC was a balm as he recovered from
that fall.
“I’ve gotten hurt and can no longer run my
business,” Sark told IIBEC. “I’m no longer able
to work. But I’ve enjoyed the years with RCI [the
former name of IIBEC]. They were absolutely
the key to my professional career because I was
not a registered architect or engineer. But I was
a Registered Roof Consultant, so they allowed
me to be president. RCI gave me a voice in
the industry.”
A copy of Sark’s resume shows his many
professional affiliations. Those include serving
as president of the Florida Roofing and Sheet
Metal Contractors Association in 1985, earning
a CDT through the Greater Orlando Chapter
of Construction Specifications Institute, and
serving as chapter vice president in 1991. Sark
was selected by the Central Florida Builders
Exchange and the Construction Industry
Council as a juror for its Craftsmanship Award
Program, honoring outstanding craftsmanship in
roofing. Additionally, Sark taught IIBEC courses,
including “Advanced Roof Consulting” and
“Rooftop Quality Assurance,” at the IIBEC Florida
Chapter level.
Sark’s business partner, Bill Rogers,
remembered that Sark “always told our clients
that he understood roofs because ‘roofs
talk to me.’” Sark’s decades of service and
dedication to IIBEC speak for themselves. IIBEC
congratulates Sark on his Joe F. Hale Lifetime
Achievement Award.
AWARD WINNERS