Signs of mental distress
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. It is important to watch for the following common signs of mental distress, according to Safety+Health magazine:
- Arguing more or becoming more easily frustrated with family, friends or co-workers
- Changes in appetite or sleep patterns
- Difficulty focusing or making decisions
- Feeling physically or mentally drained
- Feeling sad, lonely, numb or worried
- Increased use of alcohol or drugs
If you experience these signs of stress, Safety+Health magazine recommends reaching out to a supervisor, human resources representative, health care provider or employee assistance program.
It also is important to be aware of your co-workers’ safety and well-being. Watch for co-workers who disclose significant stress; share mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety; fail to fulfill major life responsibilities such as work or financial obligations; and withdraw from important relationships.
NRCA’s mental health resources are available at betoughenough.org.
GAF appoints new CEO and COO
Standard Industries, New York, and GAF, Parsippany, N.J., have announced the appointment of John Barkhouse as CEO of GAF effective Jan. 1, 2026. At that time, current GAF CEO John Altmeyer will transition to the role of GAF’s executive chairman.
Since joining GAF as president in 2024, Barkhouse has led manufacturing, supply chain, and research and development for GAF’s residential and commercial divisions. Previously, he spent more than 25 years in manufacturing and operational leadership roles in the industrial, energy and services sectors.
“John Barkhouse is a collaborative, strategic leader who has gotten to know our business and our people, and I couldn’t be more confident that he is the right person to serve as the next CEO of GAF,” Altmeyer says. “It has been the honor of my career to lead this company, and I look forward to continuing to support John and the team in all that’s to come.”
Additionally, GAF has made Chris Peetz the company’s new chief operations officer. Reporting to Barkhouse, Peetz will drive operational efficiency and strategic improvements across the company’s manufacturing sites and supply chain.
“I’m delighted to join GAF and look forward to expanding its reputation as an industry leader,” Peetz says. “I share John’s commitment to continuous improvement, efficiency and customer experience. I look forward to working with our exceptional teams to build on the tremendous success GAF has had to date.”
Amrize debuts as independent, publicly traded company
Amrize has announced its debut as an independent, publicly traded company with the completion of its 100% spin-off from Holcim. Amrize shares began trading June 23 on the New York Stock Exchange and the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol “AMRZ.”
Amrize is the largest building solutions company focused exclusively on the North American market with more than 1,000 operational sites and more than 19,000 employees.
In May, Holcim shareholders approved the spin-off of Amrize from Holcim with a 99.75% vote in favor of the action. The spin-off is completed via the distribution of a dividend-in-kind of one Amrize share for every Holcim share owned as of the close of business June 20.
“This is an exciting day for all our teammates across North America as we begin our journey together as Amrize,” says Jan Jenisch, Amrize chairman and CEO. “As an independent, publicly traded company, Amrize will capitalize on North America’s construction market driven by long-term mega-trends from infrastructure modernization and onshoring of manufacturing to data center expansion and the opportunity to bridge the housing gap.
“It has been a privilege to be part of Holcim since 2017, and I thank the entire Holcim team for their outstanding performance and contributions over the years, including the exceptional execution of our spin-off creating two distinct, independent champions,” Jenisch continues. “I wish the Holcim team every success as they begin their next chapter.”
Diane Hendricks again tops Forbes list of richest self-made women
Diane Hendricks, co-founder and chairman of NRCA member ABC Supply Co. Inc., Beloit, Wis., has topped the list of America’s Richest Self-made Women in Forbes magazine for the eighth consecutive year.
Worth $22.3 billion, Hendricks chairs one of the largest wholesale distributors of roofing, siding and windows in the U.S.; ABC Supply has more than 900 branch locations and had $20.7 billion in sales in 2024.
According to Forbes magazine, Hendricks is a Wisconsin native who grew up on a dairy farm. She started ABC Supply in 1982 with her late husband, Ken, and has chaired the company since his death in 2007. Under her leadership, ABC Supply made the two biggest acquisitions in its history: buying rival Bradco in 2010 and building materials distributor L&W Supply in 2016.
Hendricks has spent millions on local economic development, rebuilding entire blocks in Beloit and bringing several new businesses into the state.
In addition, Hendricks and her daughter, real estate broker Konya Hendricks Schuh, work to revitalize Beloit in the new A&E show “Betting on Beloit,” according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Hendricks Schuh and her team purchase, restore and reimagine historical homes in Beloit and Hendricks finances the revitalization. The team’s mission is to turn “once-neglected properties into vibrant dream homes for individuals and families ready to plant new roots in Beloit.”
