"I've always been curious about how things work, how things go together," says Jim Kirby, Technical Communications, Industry Relations, and Product Sustainability Architect at Siplast since April 2023.
Jim's role leverages decades of professional growth, positioning him within a company renowned for pioneering premium solutions for building enclosure's toughest design challenges. Jim, who holds a Master of Architecture–Structures Option, from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, never anticipated his career path leading him to the roofing industry. Yet, today he holds a leadership position at one of the roofing industry's most respected innovators. Here's how flexible thinking helped Jim rise to his role.
Discovering His Strengths Through Education
"I was always decent at math and science, and I could draw," Jim shares. Despite his natural abilities with architectural representation, he quickly realized that conceptual building design wasn't his strongest suit. During graduate school, he began to gravitate toward the more technical, analytical, and structural aspects of architecture. "Before I even finished school, I knew I wasn't going to be a design architect," he says. That early clarity helped steer Jim toward a career where his strengths in technical expertise and problem-solving could truly thrive.
Building Experience, Building Skill
Jim began his professional journey as an architect at Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates in June 1989. His work took him across the country, specializing in forensic architecture. "Most everything revolved around water getting into buildings," Jim shares. So, serving clients meant, "investigate why it's leaking, see what the damage is, and then come up with a repair." Often, this meant accessing high-rise exteriors. "I did a lot of work going up and down the sides of buildings on swing stages," Jim shares.
That revelation steered Jim away from a traditional architectural role that hadn't fully tapped into his strengths, into a then-niche, highly specialized field: keeping water out of buildings. He'd found a career path that was intellectually stimulating and aligned with his passion for sustainability in the built environment.
After seven foundational years at Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Jim began a nearly 16-year tenure at the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) in July 1996. There, he advanced from Senior Director of Technical Services to Assistant Executive Director of Technical Communications, gaining extensive experience in technical writing and the inner workings of industry associations. "When I graduated from college, I didn't even know what a trade association was," he reflects. Two decades later, Jim has become a trusted leader and seasoned technical communicator. He's deeply embedded in the roofing industry and has been instrumental in driving it forward.
Developing Expertise and Leadership
Jim's career path took a more focused turn toward environmental issues when he became Vice President of Sustainability at the Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing, a role he held from June 2012 to October 2014. He then shifted into the regulatory space, serving as Director of Codes and Regulatory Compliance at Kellen Company from February 2015 to March 2017, servicing ARMA, the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, and RCMA, the Roof Coating Manufacturers Association.
Prior to joining Siplast, Jim spent over six years with sister company GAF (March 2017–March 2023), first on the Building and Roofing Science team and later in Building Enclosure Research and Innovation. Today, he serves as Siplast's Technical Communications, Industry Relations, and Product Sustainability Architect, a role that blends his varied experience and forward-thinking mindset. "Being open to what comes your way is beneficial," he says, "but also being able to mix that appropriately with where you want to go."
Jim's transition to Siplast was driven by long-standing relationships and a reputation for honesty and delivering results. The opportunity for the role came from Kirk Goodrum, Vice President and General Manager of Siplast. "Kirk and I had worked together through various groups in the industry for roughly 20 years," Jim says. "I had always respected him and his thought processes." That respect, as it turned out, was mutual.
Bringing Innovation to Life
In a sense, Jim's career is just beginning. "I've been doing this 35 years. Since the start, I've heard—and said—Siplast is the best." That's not bias, explains Jim; it's broadly-accepted industry opinion. That respect results from decades of next-generation product innovation and Siplast's white glove client partnership model that provides comprehensive project support every step of the way.
Joining the team meant gaining fast expertise on Siplast's product line, shifting into a new role within industry associations, and—the biggest learning curve—spearheading sustainability, Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), and Health Product Declarations (HPDs). Thankfully, industry camaraderie and Jim's longstanding professional relationship with Kirk helped ease the transition.
"The folks at GAF and Aly Perez, specifically, have been super, super great," says Jim on getting up to speed on EPDs and HPDs. Although Jim had worked tangentially with EPDs before, he "didn't know how the sausage was made, if you will." And making the metaphorical sausage isn't a one-and-done task.
"It's a much deeper dive—down to the meaning of every chart, every paragraph," says Jim. He explains that EPDs aren't just documents, but an involved process that requires specialized software and expertise. "There are entire careers, a whole industry, dedicated to providing these documents," he adds. "So understanding EPDs in a matter of months—that was the big one, really."
Jim's diverse background in technical writing, sustainability, codes, and research laid a robust foundation for his wide-ranging responsibilities at Siplast, including leading the RISE Summit. Jim was once an attendee of the RISE Summit (previously known as the Siplast Plant Tour). Today, he leads the charge on curriculum, experience, and educational content, bringing design professionals across the industry up to speed on Siplast's products and systems and expertise, as well as our rigorous testing and innovation practices.
Jim exemplifies Siplast's commitment to partnering with clients every step of the way—from early-stage project planning through installation and the ongoing care of the roofing system. Drawing on his deep technical knowledge and industry experience, Jim is dedicated to making sure our clients have the information, resources, and expert advice they need to do their best work.
Taking Pride in One's Work
When Jim had his roofing revelation, he might've envisioned a career focused on water issues—but he never expected to help shape the direction of the industry itself. He's honored to be working up at the top alongside some of the roofing industry's leading innovators.
That respect for Siplast and pride of place is woven throughout the company, explains Jim. "Many of our salespeople—who believe, as I do, that we are the best—have been here for 25 to 35 years," says Jim. "They're experts. They have the technical information, and when new hires come on, I see them happily pass on that knowledge."
A Career Built to Last
Jim Kirby's career philosophy blends hard work, intellectual curiosity, creativity, people-centric relationships, and openness to unexpected opportunities. He combines a passion for the technical side of architecture with a career marked by key milestones and leadership roles across respected industry organizations—including the NRCA—showcasing the depth and breadth of his expertise. For Jim, success in new endeavors comes with investing in cross-industry relationships, being of service to others, and, should the time come, being willing to ask for help.
Like so many others, roofing offers Jim purpose, fulfillment, and security. "It's like that silly comparison to the Hotel California," he says. "Once you're in roofing, you're in roofing. This industry grabs you and keeps you, because it's literally one of the staples of life."
