(PRWEB) December 31, 2005 -- Several companies engaged in the development and manufacture of reflective roof coating materials have banded together to form the Reflective Roof Coatings Institute (RRCI).

The purposes of the Institute are:
1. To promote the benefits of reflective roof coatings in extending the life of roof systems while reducing energy consumption and demand for the building envelope;
2. To promote the highest standards in product promotion, application training and product performance within the reflective roof coating industry;
3. To promote the development and research of data relating to the application, performance and value of reflective roof coatings; and
4. To advance the best interests of the reflective roof coatings industry.

The first organizational meeting was held in Chicago in November where Jim Leonard, president of ERSystems, Rockford, MN, was named the interim president of RRCI. “Because of the growing importance of the California Energy Commission’s Title 24 program, we felt the time was right to form an organization that would not only promote reflective roof coatings but also provide a means to educate the end-users of their benefits”, stated Leonard at the recent organization meeting.

At present the RRCI is engaged in actively recruiting new members and have had twenty companies become Founding Members of the Institute. Ken Bowman, president of the Robstan Group, Inc – an association management company located in Kansas City, MO – has been retained to act as the executive director and help manage RRCI. Bowman said, “With our experience in managing construction related associations, we are very proud that the Robstan Group has been chosen to be RRCI’s partners in getting this association started.”

The next meeting of RRCI will be held in Las Vegas on February 12, 2006 at the Tropicana Resort & Casino that will be open to the entire industry.     “At this meeting, we will continue the business of establishing the Institute but we are also going to have general sessions to discuss issues facing our industry. We feel this meeting will be a great start for RRCI in helping provide an educational venue for reflective roof coatings”, stated Leonard.

There are three categories of membership in RRCI: Manufacturer, Raw Material Supplier and Associate, which includes sales representatives, design professionals, consultants, architects and engineers. For more information about the Reflective Roof Coatings Institute, please contact Ken Bowman at 816.472.8870 or visit www.reflectivecoatings.org.