Coryell Roofing and Construction, a commercial roofing contractor operating across ten states, is proud to sponsor Mason Miller of Larned, Kansas as he competes today at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC) in Atlanta. Miller, 18, is the Kansas state champion in commercial roofing and one of more than 6,800 state champions gathered this week at the Georgia World Congress Center to compete for national recognition in 115 hands-on workforce development categories.
Miller grew up in Larned, a small agricultural community in central Kansas, where he spent summers farming wheat, corn, and beans alongside his family. His path into the trades began almost by chance. After a late-night collision with a stray cow on a rural blacktop left his truck damaged and his farming season short on work, he reached out to his aunt, who co-owns a local roofing business. Two weeks on a commercial roofing job changed his direction entirely. He enrolled in the NRCA TRAC program, a 30-plus-hour roofing course, sharpened his skills through SkillsUSA’s competitive program at Larned High School under advisor Adam Hewson, and placed seventh at the national level in his first NLSC appearance. This year, he arrives having completed the four-hour competition challenge within the time limit for the first time at the state level.
“This competition is an opportunity not only to test my skills, but an opportunity to network and grow as a person. Having Coryell’s support has helped me significantly with funding this opportunity in my life.” — Mason Miller, Kansas State Champion, Commercial Roofing
The commercial roofing competition tasks competitors with completing a 10-by-10-foot roofing simulation that mirrors real-world conditions: penetrations, parapet walls, TPO membrane seaming, and insulation installation. Competitors are given four hours and a single variable from judges: which direction water must drain. From there, they must plan seam placement and execute the full installation with precision. Finishing within the time limit alone is considered a significant accomplishment.
For Coryell Roofing, sponsoring Miller reflects a belief the company has long acted on: the trades need champions at every level, from the jobsite to the classroom to the competition floor.
“Mason is exactly the kind of young person the industry needs more of. He started a business before he graduated high school, he’s already completed commercial TPO work, and he’s heading to college for construction management. We’re proud to stand behind him and hopeful that this is the beginning of a longer relationship between Mason and Coryell.” — Ken Wells, President, Coryell Roofing and Construction
Miller is already building what comes next. Alongside his best friend, he co-founded a construction company several months ago that takes on a range of projects, and he has a commercial TPO job lined up for when he returns from Atlanta. This fall, he will enroll at Fort Hays State University to pursue a degree in construction management, with his family’s roofing business helping him navigate the licensing process as his own operation grows.
When asked what he would tell other young people in small towns about the trades, Miller didn’t hesitate.
“Start early. I wish I would have gotten into it sooner. From my freshman year on, I learned all the skills to where now I’m good to go. The sooner you start, the better your understanding gets.” — Mason Miller
The SkillsUSA NLSC runs June 1-5, 2026, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, spanning approximately 1.8 million square feet across 115 competition categories. More than 19,000 attendees are expected, including students, educators, and industry partners from all 50 states. Miller competes today, June 3rd.
About Coryell Roofing and Construction
Coryell Roofing is a commercial roofing contractor founded by Chris and Theresa Coryell and headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The company operates across ten states, including Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. A Duro-Last Platinum Contractor and recipient of the 2023 Duro-Last Contractor of the Year award, Coryell was also named 2024 Commercial Contractor of the Year by Roofing Contractor Magazine. For more information, visit coryellroofing.com or call (866) 858-2081.
About SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is the number one workforce development organization for students, empowering them to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders, and responsible community members. Representing more than 444,000 career and technical education students and teachers in middle schools, high schools, and college and postsecondary institutions nationwide, SkillsUSA has served more than 15 million members since its founding in 1965. Learn more at skillsusa.org.
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Company Name: Coryell Roofing
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Website: www.coryellroofing.com
