Foam-It-Right

Spray polyurethane foam roofing delivers seamless durability and unmatched R-value, yet systems like TPO and EPDM continue to hold market share on commercial roof decks. Why? Winning market share requires far more than a superior spec sheet—it demands contractor consistency, industry advocacy, and qualified applicators on every single job.
 
In this episode of Foam-It-Right, hosts Frank Mortl III and Eddie Canales sit down with two industry leaders who are actively tackling the field knowledge gap: Jack Moore, Director of Business Development for Creative Polymer Solutions/Rugged Coatings and Chair of the SPFA Roofing Committee, and Chris West, President of West Roofing Systems.
 
Whether you're an experienced commercial roofing contractor looking to scale your crews or a newcomer looking to enter the trade the right way, this conversation delivers actionable insights to protect your bottom line, elevate installation quality, and expand the SPF footprint nationwide.

In this episode of Foam-It-Right®, Eddie Canales sits down for a real-world chat about the massive impact Spanish-speaking professionals have on the spray foam industry. Spanish speakers are driving this trade forward—from spraying on the jobsite to running their own rigs and leading companies.
 
But let's be honest: technical training, safety resources, and business support haven't always been as easy to get in Spanish as they should be.  
 
Eddie is joined by Abel Sauceda, National Technical Services Manager at AccuFoam , David Velasco, CEO of Master Insulation Corporation, and René Navarrete, CEO of BW Insulation & co-founder of UniFoam, to talk shop, share hard-earned lessons from the field, and break down how peer support is filling the gap.
 
You’ll also get the details on how SPFA is stepping up with Spanish-language resources—including the Professional Certification Program (PCP) written and field exams—so you can protect your crew, raise your install quality, and keep your business profitable.  
 
Episode Highlights:
05:40 – The Reality of the First Year: Rig Setups, Troubleshooting, and Finding Help
06:50 – Language Barriers & The Fear of Asking Questions on the Jobsite
08:35 – UniFoam & Peer Networks: Real-Time Community Support for Spanish Speakers
09:50 – SPFA Spanish Resources: PCP Certification Written & Field Exams in Spanish
11:40 – Advice for New Contractors: Patience, Consistency, and Preparing Before You Buy a Rig
 
Resources & Links:
SPFA Contractor Membership Information: https://www.sprayfoam.org/spfa-contractor-membership/
SPFA Professional Certification Program: https://foamitright.org/
 
 
 
En este episodio de Foam-It-Right®, Eddie Canales se sienta a tener una plática honesta, sobre el enorme valor que los profesionales hispanohablantes aportan a la industria del spray foam. Desde los que están en la pistola en la obra hasta los que manejan sus propios equipos y dirigen empresas, la comunidad hispana mueve este negocio hacia adelante.
 
Pero seamos sinceros: la capacitación técnica, los recursos de seguridad y el apoyo para los negocios no siempre han estado disponibles en español como deberían estar.
 
Eddie cuenta con la presencia de Abel Sauceda (Gerente Nacional de Servicios Técnicos en AccuFoam), David Velasco (CEO de Master Insulation Corporation) y René Navarrete (CEO de BW Insulation y cofundador de UniFoam) para platicar del oficio, compartir lecciones aprendidas a base de puro trabajo en el campo y analizar cómo el apoyo entre colegas está cubriendo los vacíos de la industria.
 
Además, te compartimos todos los detalles sobre cómo la SPFA está dando un paso adelante con recursos en español —incluyendo los exámenes teóricos y de campo del Programa de Certificación Profesional (PCP)— para que puedas proteger a tu gente, elevar la calidad de tus instalaciones y mantener tu negocio rentable.
 
Puntos destacados del episodio:
05:40 – La realidad del primer año: preparación de equipos, resolución de problemas y cómo encontrar ayuda
06:50 – Las barreras del idioma y el miedo a hacer preguntas en la obra
08:35 – UniFoam y las redes entre colegas: apoyo comunitario en tiempo real para hispanohablantes
09:50 – Recursos en español de la SPFA: exámenes escritos y de campo de la certificación PCP en español
11:40 – Consejos para nuevos contratistas: paciencia, constancia y cómo prepararte antes de comprar tu primer equipo
 
Recursos y enlaces:
Información sobre la membresía para contratistas de la SPFA: https://www.sprayfoam.org/spfa-contractor-membership/
Programa de Certificación Profesional de la SPFA: https://foamitright.org/

Grab a cold drink and leave the formalities at the door. In this episode of Foam-It-Right®, host Frank Mortl III sits down with SPFA board leaders Corey Poepping, Brandon Yocum, and Ken Wells for a raw, unscripted look at starting and growing a spray foam business.
 
The guys lay it all on the line, sharing some of the toughest jobsite challenges of their careers. You'll hear exactly how these difficult projects shaped their leadership style, how open-source contractor networks like Spray Foam World Wide fundamentally changed the game, and why weaponizing proper jobsite documentation with SPFA technical resources is your ultimate shield to save your bottom line when things inevitably go sideways.
 
Episode Highlights:
[2:08] Spray foam origin stories
[20:15]  Leveraging unified industry standards and networking to grow your business
[22:15] Expanding beyond typical installs into concrete lifting and roofing initiatives to diversify an SPF business model
[32:40] Advice for the Next Generation of spray foam contractors
 
Resources & Links:
SPFA Contractor Membership Information: https://www.sprayfoam.org/spfa-contractor-membership/
SPFA Professional Certification Program: https://foamitright.org/

In this episode of Foam-It-Right, hosts Frank Mortl III and Eddie Canales sit down with the past, present, and future leaders of the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA).
 
Outgoing SPFA Board President Ken Wells reflects on his historic two-year term marked by record-breaking membership, staff changes, and updated marketing strategies. Then, incoming SPFA Board President Corey Poepping reveals his goals for the upcoming two years, including a major initiative to centralize installer training, and introduces the newly appointed SPFA Vice President.
 
This conversation also features the industry's latest project—Assembly Performance Value (A-Value)—in which SPFA leaders answer member questions about what is measured, how it’s calculated, and the value proposition for contractors and consumers.
 
Episode Highlights:
[1:15] Ken Wells reflects on achieving an historic 1,100-member milestone.
[4:20] Corey Poepping defines his vision for the next two years.
[8:45] A-Value Initiative Update
[15:40] Answering questions from the field on A-Value
 
Resources & Links:
SPFA Contractor Membership Information: https://www.sprayfoam.org/spfa-contractor-membership/
Learn More About A-Value: https://www.sprayfoam.org/assets/pdf/A-Value-Flyer-2025

In this episode, hosts Eddie Canales and Frank Mortl III dive into SPFA's Professional Certification Program (PCP), the industry’s gold standard. This certification shows that you're not just spraying foam but providing an engineered solution. To help us break down how to become certified and why it benefits your business, we have two industry leaders: Bonnie Strickler, President of Puff, Inc. and SPFA’s Immediate Past President, along with SPFA Director of Professional Development, Susan Elhindi.
 
Whether you're a newcomer planning to launch your first rig or an experienced installer aiming to upgrade your crew to Master Installers, this episode outlines your path to increased profitability, legal protection, and industry recognition.
 
Episode Highlights:
03:45 – What is PCP?
06:40 – How to enroll, study, and get certified
16:20 – Leveraging the PCP logo on your rigs to shut down low-ball price wars
19:45 – Utilizing certification to build a long-term career roadmap for your crew
 
Resources & Links:
Contact Susan and SPFA: certdirector@sprayfoam.org
SPFA Contractor Membership Information: https://www.sprayfoam.org/spfa-contractor-membership/ 
SPFA Professional Certification Program: https://foamitright.org/

In this episode of Foam-It-Right, Frank Mortl III is joined by Candace Lord, The Green Cocoon, and Brandon Yocum, The Goley Companies, to discuss the toughest competitor in the SPF market: the uncertified "Chuck-in-a-Truck." We go beyond the frustration of being underbid to dive into the technical building science and professional credentials—such as the SPFA Professional Certification Program (PCP)—that help elite contractors win on value rather than price. From horror stories of failed installs to the best survival tips for local market dominance, this is a masterclass in industry professionalism.
 
Episode Highlights:
[01:45] Scope vs. Price: What’s actually missing from that cheaper quote?
[07:10] The Pivot: Moving the customer conversation from price to performance.
[14:40] Tips for dominating your local market.
 
Resources & Links:
SPFA Contractor Membership Information: https://www.sprayfoam.org/spfa-contractor-membership/
SPFA Professional Certification Program: https://foamitright.org/

Legislative rules dictate exactly how you spray, what you pay, and how you protect your business. In this episode of Foam-It-Right®, host Frank Mortl III dives into two of the most significant regulatory challenges facing the SPF industry today: shifting roofing policies in Florida and the scientific "mislabeling” of modern blowing agents.
Special guests Mary Bogdan, R&D Fellow at Solstice Advanced Materials and Vice Chair of the Government Affairs Committee, and Will Lorenz, President of General Coatings Manufacturing Corp. and Chair of the SPFA Government Affairs Committee, provide a masterclass on navigating these high-stakes policy changes. They break down why a "one-size-fits-all" definition for chemicals and roofing types is a massive liability for contractors—and what you can do to stop it.
 
Episode Highlights:
[00:04:13] The Florida Roofing Crisis: How broad legislative language is forcing 15-year tear-offs on low-slope roofs, defeating the sustainability benefits of SPF.
[00:10:00] Defining PFAS: Mary Bogdan explains the difference between legacy "forever chemicals" and the modern HFOs used in spray foam.
[00:23:15] Looking Ahead: Mid-term election expectations and the long-term re-evaluation of industry chemicals.
 
Resources & Links:
SPFA Contractor Membership Information: https://www.sprayfoam.org/spfa-contractor-membership/
SPFA Advocacy Network: https://www.sprayfoam.org/advocacy/
PFAS and SPF: https://www.sprayfoam.org/pfas-and-spf/ 
 
Foam-It-Right® is produced by Association Briefings

In this episode of Foam-It-Right®, hosts Eddie Canales and Frank Mortl III sit down with Craig Brightup, CEO of The Brightup Group LLC, a government relations consulting firm in Washington, DC, to decode the massive legislative shifts affecting your rig and your bottom line. We dive into the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling on IEEPA-based tariffs, the rollout of the "One Big Beautiful Bill" (OBBB) Act, and what the 2026 political landscape means for the future of spray foam.
Episode Highlights:
[05:30] Supreme Court Update: The death of IEEPA tariffs and the quest for refunds
[15:45] The OBBB Act: Section 199A, 168K, and 179 explained for contractors
[35:10] Election Watch: Predicting the balance of power in November 2026
Resources & Links
SPFA Contractor Membership Information: https://www.sprayfoam.org/spfa-contractor-membership/
SPFA Advocacy Network: https://www.sprayfoam.org/advocacy/
IRS Qualified business income deduction: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/qualified-business-income-deduction
2026 Section 179 Deduction: Complete Guide & Limits: https://www.section179.org/section_179_deduction/
 
Foam-It-Right® is produced by Association Briefings

Is your paperwork a chore or your best insurance policy? In this episode of Foam-It-Right®, hosts Frank Mortl III and Eddie Canales dive into the high-stakes world of jobsite documentation. We're not just about filling out forms; we’re about protecting your profit and professional reputation in an industry where getting it right is everything.
Special guests Robert Naini from Spray Foam Advisor and Jason Hoerter, SPFA Director of Technical Services, share practical insights on how documentation and checklists support successful projects. They break down why consistent logging—from environmental conditions to equipment settings—is the difference between a defensible project and a massive liability.
 
Episode Highlights:
[02:34] New SPFA Resources: A look at the updated Tech Tips, technical documents, and the Member Plus app designed for field use.
[06:34] Texas A&M Hailstorm Report: Evidence-based results on how spray foam roofing stands up to extreme weather.
[16:00] Why Documentation is Essential: Why a paper trail is actually a profit trail.
Resources & Links
RICOWI Reports: https://www.ricowi.com/reports
Spray Foam Advisor: https://www.sprayfoamadvisor.com/
SPFA SprayFoam 2026 Convention & Expo: https://sprayfoamshow.org/
SPFA Contractor Membership Information: https://www.sprayfoam.org/spfa-contractor-membership/
 
Foam-It-Right® is produced by Association Briefings

In the inaugural episode of Foam-It-Right®, hosts Frank Mortl III, CAE, and Eddie Canales of the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance kick things off with a preview of the SprayFoam 2026 Convention & Expo, taking place March 22–25 in Las Vegas. Joined by Gary Harvey, President and CEO of Wedge Roofing, and Lisa Smith, SPFA’s Director of Member Engagement, the conversation explores why this year’s event matters for the industry and how attendees can make the most of their time on-site. From networking and relationship-building to education, certification opportunities, and practical tips for saving money, this episode breaks down what to expect—and why the convention is designed to deliver both serious learning and a little fun along the way.
 
Show Notes
Gary Harvey is President and CEO of Wedge Roofing in Marin County, CA, and serves as treasurer of the SPFA Board of Directors. Wedge Roofing was one of the first contractors in California to specialize in spray foam systems, long before they became industry standard. Under Harvey’s guidance, we became the first company in the U.S. to earn SPFA’s highest-level credentials for both project managers and installers. Today, he helps shape national best practices through his role on the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance Executive Board. 
 
The SprayFoam 2026 Convention & Expo will take place March 22-25 in Las Vegas. For more information about the convention, including registration, visit sprayfoamshow.org.
 
The Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA) is the leading U.S. trade association for the spray polyurethane foam industry, representing contractors, manufacturers, distributors, and related professionals across all 50 states. Founded in 1973 and based in Virginia, SPFA supports the health and growth of the SPF industry by providing technical resources, professional certification programs, educational events, advocacy on federal and state issues, and networking opportunities. The alliance also publishes industry-focused content and hosts the annual SprayFoam Convention & Expo, bringing together industry leaders for learning, collaboration, and innovation.
For more information about SPFA, visit sprayfoam.org. 
For more information about joining SPFA and its membership benefits, visit sprayfoam.org/spfa-membership-benefits.
 
Foam-It-Right® is produced by Association Briefings.