b'FACES OF THE TRADEHecontinuedtodesignmoreeffi-cient tools throughout his career. This included a telescopic roll puller and a lap"If you want a good future,sealer.Hiscrowningachievement,the torch-onroofingdegranulatorsystem, was patented in the U.S. and the patentstick with or get involvedregistry described the tool as:A torch is mounted on the central portionin the roofing industry."ofa frame having a near end portion and a far end portion. The torch directs heat toward the far end portion ofthe frame, Leo Regnieradjacent to a rotatable embedment roller. A handle is formed on the near end portion ofthe frame. The torch melts the granules oftorch-on roofing, and the embedment rollerme and pass judgement when the coursewithhisson.Thoughhishomeisin follows behind to smoothen the surface of was over. In just about every case, theseLangley, he is doing projects all over B.C. the roofing in the area ofa lap joint. same attendees would find the course ofinvolving roofing, concrete, framing and Many of the tools he invented havevalue and ask why its content was nototherconstructionareas.Headmitted beenreproducedbymanufacturerstooffered earlier. that he has become a jack of all trades use in the roofing industry. Once again,Leofirmlybelievedthathands-onand enjoys every working day. I am too Leo was pushing the envelope to maketraining was imperative in teaching peopleyoung to retire and having too much fun the industry better. in the trade, and he tried to incorporateat what I am doing, he said.equipment into his course and seminar Education and RCABC delivery. He remembers teaching acrossWhen asked what words of encour-DuringhisyearswithSoprema,Canada outside in all kinds of weather toagement he could provide to the younger Leostravelsacrossthecountrytypi- ensure his students could see operatinggeneration in or considering the roofing callyincludedtrainingroofersonaequipment like torches and the right wayindustry,Leoreplied,Ifyouwanta widevarietyoftopicsincludingroofto handle them. good future, stick with or get involved in membranes and attachment means, suchForhiscommitmenttoeducation,the roofing industry. Be dedicated to the as self-adhered membrane, torch-on andLeoreceivedtheStanGregorowichjob and devote yourself to succeeding. asphalt. Because of the broad experi- Awardforoutstandingsupportof ence Leo had in the industry, he becameindustrytrainingandeducationfromLearnallyoucanandmakelearning avaluabletrainerforthecompanyRCABC in 2004. alifetimecommitment.Dothejob andtheindustry,saidBlairBennett,Leo is now 72 years old and in hisright the first time and get involved in DirectorofSalesWesternCanadawords, he is still going strong workingRCABC. Great words to think on. Surrey for Soprema.In addition to training for Soprema, hebecameheavilyinvolvedwith RCABC as an instructor for the associa-tions educational programs. He taught a number of courses and seminars offered byRCABC,includingthethird-year apprenticeship training program for the roofingtradeandcoursesconcerning torch-on roofing systems.His philosophy as an instructor was tousehisexperienceinthetradeto connect with the people in the class in a way that would make them comfort-ablewithhim.Ialwaysdressedfor classinmyworkclothessoIlooked like the roofers in the room, said Leo. Sometimes,therewereexperienced roofersinattendancethatgrumbled about the need for the course. When I heard this, I would ask them to bear with www.rcabc.org l27'