Member Spotlight: Cory Rohs
The Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA) dives inside the career of Cory Rohs, Safety Consultant and ABAA Auditor for 3-E Safety Services, LLC in Kansas City, MO. In this feature interview, learn what made him become an ABAA member, what led him on his career path, and get his perspective on the future of the air barrier industry.
Cory Rohs
Cory Rohs, Board Certified Safety Professional, has been in the construction industry most of his life from rehabbing apartment buildings to installing storm windows and doors in the summers of his college years. After graduating from Central Missouri State University, Cory started his own company that was incorporated into 3-E Safety Services, LLC. 3-E Safety Services performs third party audits and contributes to preconstruction meetings of approximately 50 different construction projects a month. Cory has performed lead inspections, asbestos inspections, mold inspections, general health and safety inspections, along with other specific inspections for different clients throughout the mid-west.
Cory became a member of the ABAA in 2010 and performs 3rd party quality assurance audits for ABAA to insure building owners are getting what they pay for and the building is being built to specification. Past President of the Heart of America Chapter of American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) 2011-2012-chapter year and continues to remain on the board and be the advisor for the Professional development conference. Also Cory is a member of Construction Safety group and past President of the Safety Alliance which are both safety organizations for the construction industry in KC metro area.
Name: Cory Rohs
Title: Safety Consultant and ABAA Auditor
Firm: 3-E Safety Services, LLC
City: Kansas City, MO
What was the path to your career — how and why did you pursue a profession as a Building Envelope Consultant?
A: I received a degree in Safety Management from Central Missouri State University and after a couple of different jobs, a roofing association was looking for a safety director. This was a self-employed position in 2001 that allowed me to start my own business and turned that one contract with seven companies into working for 35 different companies throughout the construction industry and a few general industry companies.
Is there anything that you believe everyone in this industry should be working towards?
A: I am huge on continuing education. Too many people think they know everything and don’t have the discipline to learn something new or don’t think they need to.
What role have peers, mentors, or advisors played in your career?
A: Randy Milbourn, formerly from Hankins Services which was a roofing company that has now moved on to Integrated Weather Barrier, asked me to investigate the ABAA as he was seeing this in the roofing industry. I had a great working relationship with him already, as I had been working in the mold industry and had many years in roofing, which by this time seemed like a perfect fit with my background. Randy is my go-to person if I ever have a question, as he is one of the most knowledgeable people in the industry.
What led you to become an ABAA member?
A: I am all about supporting organizations that play a role in leading the industry. ABAA had the lead with the certification program they offered for Quality Control.
Are you involved in any ABAA committees? Do you have any ABAA certifications?
A: I had been on the Quality Control Committee for several years. I am a certified Quality Control Auditor for ABAA
How long have you been in the industry?
A: 10 years with Air Barrier and more than 25 years in construction.
What major changes have you seen?
A: All the different materials choices that the contractor can choose from for different jobs.
What traits or skills do you think are necessary to be able to succeed in your industry?
A: My main job is safety and dealing with people usually, when they are choosing to make a mistake. The employee may know the correct way to do it but they make the choice to do it wrong. Same in the air barrier industry, as installers will either try to see what they can get away with or make the decision to do it the right way. So, knowledge is key but so is honesty and integrity. Also, the ability to listen and work through issues of concern regardless of who caused the problem and to look for acceptable solutions. I always say “there is no reason to get mad. The problem has to be fixed so let us look at ways to correct the issue.”
Do you have any advice for anyone starting out in your field?
A: Be patient and don’t let frustration take over. Always try to find common ground in every situation. Good relationships are key to a successful project.
What do you think the industry will look like in five or ten year’s time?
A: I believe choosing to specify a quality air barrier system will become much more mainstream; I am unsure how materials will change but I think the more people are educated on the process it will become a no brainer to do it. I think the key is taking a look at all the latest buildings that have failed and learning from those failures.