Part II: Rob Balfanz, Vice President, Siding, Home Improvements, Workforce Development at Progressive Foam Technologies, Inc.
From four years serving on our trade association’s team (between 2019 and 2023) to his executive role with the Polymeric Exterior Products Association (PEPA) member manufacturer Progressive Foam, “Coach” Rob Balfanz has been a driving force in our workforce development program.
Rob’s efforts span a vital array of PEPA initiatives over the last several years, including:
- A massive expansion of both the workforce development database and the number of newly certified installers in his first year with the association (during the COVID-19 crisis)
- The development of the Career Ladder to Success,which helps aspiring vinyl siding installers visualize their enormous potential for career growth
- The continuous improvement of the VSI Certified Installer Program, including adding multiple language options and remote access to classes from a smartphone.
It goes without saying that Rob is passionate about workforce development in the home building space. He continues to leverage his trade and operational management skills to translate his passion into successful programs that benefit the industry.
Rob is in his second year as Co-Chair of PEPA’s Installation Central Work Group (ICWG), established in 2024. His previous work as our association’s Director of Workforce Development has helped shape the new work group. During this time, Rob formed a similar work group to gather the experts within PEPA to ensure that the installer training programs had the most updated information.
He is grateful to be continuing this crucial work for the industry.
“In early 2024, Brian (Miller, Product & Installation Training Manager, Cornerstone Building Brands) and I were asked to co-chair the ICWG to work in alignment with PEPA’s Workforce Development Committee,” Rob said. “Our charge is to ensure that all their information is updated, consistent and consolidated into a central hub on the PEPA website, and that it’s communicated across all the PEPA committees. We are working with the Technical, Workforce Development and Marketing Committees to re-write the relevant documents and match talents from the different committees to their specialties.”
In their first year, amidst what Rob calls “a tsunami of changes” that included the PEPA re-brand and regulatory code changes, the ICWG focused on identifying what tools and resources existed and were available to the public. The group then worked to determine which information belongs to which web pages.
“This year (2025), we want to implement these plans into the new PEPA website,” Rob added. “We also need to identify what should be updated and prioritize these items.”
Rob stressed that all changes are also disseminated to the member manufacturers who are making changes to their products. He describes this constant communication across work groups, committees and the membership as a meticulous process that requires ongoing planning and continuous improvement.
“Every time we touch a document, it should transcend to the installation training, especially now that we offer it in different languages,” Rob noted.
A Passion for Workforce Development
In addition to the demanding work with the ICWG, Rob manages an equally demanding schedule with Progressive Foam. But he wouldn’t have it any other way as his full-time job and ICWG commitments complement each other nicely.
“My foot is on the gas every day as we keep up with the latest needs of our customers, especially with the regulatory and code changes. Serving as Chair of the ICWG is a tremendous resource for our efforts. And what I’m seeing and learning in the field provides helpful ideas and considerations to share with the PEPA work group,” he said.
Rob said he also loves working with Progressive Foam as he approaches his third year with the company.
“Progressive Foam is an awesome company that supports me with so many initiatives, including my work with PEPA and other trade groups,” Rob noted. “Our president is young and innovative, continuing a great family tradition three generations strong. This includes Progressive Foam’s long history of active participation with PEPA.”
Rob is thrilled to work with new categories of PEPA members, along with the resources and expertise they bring to a shared mission. He feels that ICWG’s efforts will be an impetus for serving their training and workforce development needs when the time is right.
“It’s an exciting time for the association and the industry,” Rob said. “More growth means more friends coming together to achieve greater performance excellence throughout the polymeric exteriors sector.”