After reviewing over two thousand pages of minutes, correspondence and historical data I have come to the following conclusions of the approximate history of this organization.  

History Post World War I (approximately 1923) – Present

New York State Sheet Metal, Roofing and Air Conditioning Contractors’ Association Inc.
Shortly after World War I a small group of contractors, sensing the need that was to come in the post-war years for unity in dealing with legislation and labor, gathered together to organize a State Association under the name of: The New York State Sheet Metal Contractors’ Association.  

Early records of the Association were lost over the years, but information available shows that the first meeting was held at Rochester, NY in the spring of 1923 with representatives from all over the state in attendance.

The first President of the Association was Mr. H.A Daniels of New Burgh, NY and Vice President Mr. A. De Rosa of Utica, NY.  John Yager of Buffalo was Secretary, but records do not show who handled the money.

Mr. Daniels served the Association as President until 1930 when he was succeeded by Adolph Hesse of Utica.  That year John Yager of Buffalo was elected First Vice-President, Pat Carroll of Syracuse, second Vice-President, Dayton Hessler of Syracuse Secretary and John Bauer also of Syracuse Treasurer.

W. George Ballard of Rochester was elected President in 1931 with Henry Burns of Rochester as Secretary.

In 1932 J. Arthur Heaphy of Syracuse was elected President with Adolph Hesse of Utica as Secretary.  Mr. Hesse continued as Secretary until 1935.

The name of the Association was change about 1932 to include Roofing and again in 1935 to include Air Conditioning, at which time it was incorporated under the name of: The New York State Sheet Metal, Roofing and Air Conditioning Contractors’ Association, Inc.

In 1933 William J. Schmitt of Rochester was elected President, a position he held for two years.

In 1935 the Constitution and By-Laws of the State were adopted.

In 1935 Mr. H. W. Noragon was elected to the Presidency and Clarence J. Meyer was elected first Vice-President.

Due to the resignation of Mr. Hesse as Secretary, Mr. Meyer was asked to fill the position and was reelected to that position until illness forced his resignation in 1962.
James Keays of Albany was the 1936 President followed by Herman Otten of Buffalo in 1937 and Burton Stevens of Rochester in 1938 and 1939.  W. George Ballard was elected in 1940 followed by Henry Steinhorst of Utica in 1941 and 1942, Patrick Varden of Albany in 1943 and 1944 and Charles Joyce of Albany in 1945 and 1946.

In 1947 and 1948 it was Joseph Stiglmeier of Buffalo, 1949 to 1950 Asaph Hall of Elmira,  1951 and 1952 William Steinhorst of Utica.

Harry Gilbert of Buffalo was elected President in 1953 and succeeded by Richard W. Friday of Rochester in 1954, F.V. Pils of Lockport in 1955,  Irving Spalty of Rochester in 1956,  Richard Millard of Scotia in 1957,  Percy Sullivan in 1958,  Wm. Molder of Buffalo in 1959 and 1960.  George Ballard, son of one of the original organizers, 1961 and 1962.

It was during Mr. Ballard’s term as President that Mr. Meyer was forced by illness to resign, and just a few weeks before the 1962 convention that Richard W. Friday of Rochester was asked to take over.  

Most of the above data was taken from the “Golden Anniversary of the New York State Sheet Metal, Roofing and Air Conditioning Contractors’ Association Inc,  50th Annual Convention, Rochester, New York 1973 from the 1st Annual Convention Rochester, New York 1923”

Rochester Master Sheet Metal, Furance and Roofers Association

The following historical data was extracted from the first minutes, dating back to 1948.   I believe that in 1935 the Rochester Chapter adopted the Constitution and By-Laws of the State Organization.   Furthermore, I believe that the organization had local meetings since at least 1935.  In the minutes dated June 14, 1948 Richard Friday talks about taking the Secretary’s position in 1940 after Roy Barnes resigned.

June 14, 1948 the first minutes indicate the following (See Attachments: Min p1 & p2 and Sec p1)

1948 Albert Vonhof was President, Irving Spalty was Vice-President, Richard Friday was Secretary and Frank Redeker served as Treasurer.  The following served as Directors:
Harry Fitch, Elmer Davis, Frank Siebert, Jan Betlem and Burton Stevens.  Note: Richard Friday was active as Secretary for the State Organization and helped the Rochester Organization for over 50 years.

1949 - 1950 Frank Redeker was President, Irving Spalty was Vice-President, Orille Brandt was Treasurer and the first mention of a Treasurers report was showed a cash balance of $9650.00,  Richard Friday was Secretary.

1950 and 1951 Wm. Gillette was President, Irving Spalty was Vice-President, Richard Friday and Frank Redeker continued as Secretary and Treasurer.  1950 the first mention of Junior and Associate Members. In 1951 Orville Barnt took over as Treasurer.

Minutes of May 14, 1951 show Treasurer  Orville Brant reporting a balance of $701.09 in the Associations Savings Account.

1952 – 1953 George Ballard was President, Charles Schmitt Vice-President, Orville Brant Treasurer and Richard Friday Secretary.  In 1953 Lester Wilson took over as Treasurer.

1954 – 1955 Monty Childs was President, Irving Spalty was Vice-President, Lester Wilson Treasurer and Richard Friday Secretary.

Minutes of April 11, 1955 show Treasurer Lester Wilson reporting a balance of $1740.86 in the Associations Saving Account.

May 25, 1955 Master Sheet Metal, Furnace and Roofers’ Association of Rochester, NY., Inc.
Was Incorporated.

1956 – 1957 Fred Pike was President, Reginald MacLaughlin Vice-President, Lester Wilson Treasurer and Richard Friday Secretary.

1958 – 1960 Reginald MacLaughlin was President, Charlie Dietz Sr. Vice-President, Lester Wilson Treasurer and Richard Friday Secretary.

Minutes of February 8, 1960 show Treasurer Lester Wilson reporting a balance of $2759.00 in the Associations Saving Account.

1960 – 1962 Charlie Dietz Sr. was President, Robert Taylor Vice-President, Lester Wilson and Richard Friday remained.  In 1961 Wm. Schmitt became Vice-President,  Earl Hughes became Treasurer and Lester Wilson took over as Secretary.

1962 - 1965 Orville Brandt was President, Robert Schapp Vice-President, Earl Hughes Treasurer, Paul Betlem Secretary.

Minutes of May 10, 1965 show Treasurer Lester Wilson reporting a balance of $1349.96 in the Associations Saving Account.

1966 – 1967 Henry Jesserer was President, Lester Wilson Vice-President, Percy Dodge Treasurer, Robert Taylor Secretary.

1968 – 1969 Henry Jesserer was President, Cy Cohen Vice-President, Percy Dodge Treasurer, Robert Taylor Secretary.  

1969 – 1970 Cy Cohen was President, Lester Wilson Vice-President, Percy Dodge Treasure, Robert Taylor Secretary.

Minutes of April 20, 1970 show Treasurer Percy Dodge reporting a balance of $2196.36 in the Associations Saving Account.

1971 – 1973 Bill Wilson was President, Lester Wilson Vice-President, Percy Dodge Treasurer, Bob Wilson Secretary.


1973 – 1974 Jack Jones was President, Arne Kraft Vice-President, Percy Dodge Treasurer, Bob Wilson Secretary.

1975 – 1976 Arne Kraft was President, James Roth was Vice-President, Percy Dodge Treasurer, Bob Wilson Secretary.

Minutes of March 17, 1975 show Treasurer Percy Dodge reporting a balance of $1596.42 in the Associations Saving Account.

1976 – 1977 James Roth was President, Charlie Dietz Jr. Vice-President, Percy Dodge and Bob Wilson remained in their positions.

1978 – 1979 Charlie Dietz Jr. was President, Henry Jesserer Vice-President, Percy Dodge and Bob Wilson remained in their positions.

1980 – 1985  Henry Jesserer was President,  James Ryan Vice-President, Percy Dodge and Bob Wilson remained in their positions.  Note: Henry Jesserer had played major roles in the organization for over 40 years. 

Minutes of August 18, 1980 show Treasurer Percy Dodge reporting a balance of $2641.13 in the Associations Saving Account

In 1982 Charlie Dietz Sr. became Treasurer and held that position until Dan Cannan took over in 2002.  Note: Charlie Dietz Sr. had dedicated over 50 years to the organization both State and Local.

1985 –1987 Fred Schmitt was President,  Charlie Dyring Vice-President, Charlie Dietz Sr. Treasurer, Bob Wilson Secretary.

Minutes of March 18, 1985 show Treasurer Charlie Dietz Sr. reporting a balance of $1113.56 in the Associations Saving Account

1987 – 2002 Henry Jesserer was President, Charlie Dietz Sr. Treasurer

Minutes of March 19, 1990 show Treasurer Charlie Dietz Sr. reporting a balance of $3326.37 in the Associations Saving Account and $2278.61 in the Association Checking Account.

1992 Henry Jesserer appointed Jack Jones as temporary Vice-President.

1993 Paul Alford was Vice-President, Dave Unell took over as Secretary.  Note: Bob Wilson had been Secretary for approximately 30 years.

Minutes of April 17, 1995 show Treasurer Charlie Dietz Sr. reporting a balance of $3784.91 in the Associations Saving Account and $2952.29 in the Association Checking Account.

1999 - 2000 Ken Morath was Vice-President

2000-2002 Ken Hathaway was Vice-President

2002 Ken Hathaway was President, Chris Davis Vice-President, Dave Unell Secretary,  Jim Erb Treasurer.  In 2003 Clayton Armitage took over for Dave Unell as Secretary.  Note: Dave Unell has dedicated over 15 years of membership and secretarial duties.

2003 – 2006

 PresidentKen Hathaway
 Vice-PresidentChris Davis
 Treasurer       Jim Erb
 Secretary        Clayton Armitage

 Directors:Daisy Davis
        Joe Giambrone
Charlie Robinson

Insurance and Code Chairman:         Charlie Robinson

Health and Welfare Chairman:         Jim Cox

Membership Chairman:Jim Cox, Steve McElhaney

October 2005:  The association voted that the new name of this association shall be  "Rochester Roofers and Sheet Metal Association of New York, Inc."  also a web page shall be developed the domain name is: www.rochesterroofers.com  

May of 2006: Mike Oathout is voted in as one of three Directors.    

May of 2013:  Mike Oathout was voted in as our new President.   Tom Moran, Daisy Davis and
Jim Cox are the three directors per this vote.    We would like to thank Ken Hathaway for his eleven years as President and all his years of services and membership.   

In an special nomination for the 2015 treasurers position Rick Gorley was elected  by the organization be default (No other nominations or write ins).   Jim Erb will spend the winter and spring as our treasurer and Rick wiill take over at end of meeting in May 2015.

June 2015:  Rick Gourley is Treasurer of the Rochester Roofers and Sheet Metal Association of New York, Inc.

May 23, 2016:  Todd Johnson was unanimously elected as Director.   He will be replacing Daisy Davis.   We thank and wish Daisy the best .

April 17, 2023













































​September 2023  Mike Oathout has served as President since 2013.   Mike has decided to step down and we wish him the best of luck and thank him for outstanding job as our President for over 10 years.
Chris Davis our Vice President was unanimously elected as our new President.   Chris has severed as Vice President for over 20 years!    Griffin Alexander was unanimously elected as our new Vice President.    

In an effort to recognize the individuals that have served as an officer and were members for ten years or more, on the board of directors or committee and member for fifteen years or have supported the organization for a period of twenty years the following are recognized:

Honorable Members:
Jim Roth - Director 
Lester Wilson - Officer
Elmer W. Davis - Director
Charlie S. Davis - Director
William J. Schmitt - Officer
Jan Betlam - Director
Irving Spalty - Officer
Orville Brant - Officer
Cy Cohen - Officer
Paul Alford - Director
Richard Friday - Officer
George Ballard - Officer
Percy Dodge - Officer
William C. Schmitt - Director
Robert Taylor - Officer
Henry Jesserer - Officer
Charlie Dyring - Officer
Bob Wilson - Officer
Charlie Dietz Sr. - Officer
Dave Unell - Officer
Jack Jones – Officer
Charlie Dietz Jr. – Officer
Jeff Davis – Director
Charlie Davis Jr. – Director
Alan Williamson – Long time member
Don Tomeny – Long time member
Art Finocchario – Director
Dan Cannan - Officer
Jim Cox – Director
Jim Gyle – Long time member
Brock Alexander – Long time member
Clayton Armitage - Officer
Ken Hathaway - Vice President, President - Officer
Jim Erb - Officer
Daisy Davis - Director
Mike Oathout - President, Director, Member
Chris Davis - Vice President, Member
Rick Gourley - Treasurer
Todd Johnson - Director

This document of history of the organization was compiled in March and April of 2005 by Clayton Armitage Executive Secretary Rochester Roofers and Sheet Metal Association of New York, Inc.