Neese Roofing honored with prestigious S.T.A.R. Award
Neese Roofing (Larry Neese LLC), a veteran-owned and family-operated business rooted in service and integrity, has been awarded the S.T.A.R. Spotlight Trophy for Community by the Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (FRSA).
The S.T.A.R. Award —Spotlight Trophy for the Advancement of Roofing is an elite recognition program that celebrates exceptional roofing projects across the state of Florida. Winners are selected based on complexity, innovation, performance, and community impact. Neese Roofing’s award this year shines especially bright, not just for the quality of the work, but for the heart behind it.
That heart was tested on October 9, 2024, when a violent tornado outbreak ripped through Florida’s Treasure Coast, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Among the hardest hit was Al’s Family Farms, a beloved agricultural mainstay and community symbol for generations. Just minutes after co-owners Jeff and Matt Schorner left the building, the twister struck with devastating force, reducing the iconic structure to ruins.
When Matt Schorner called childhood friend Derrick Neese co-owner of Neese Roofing to share the heartbreaking news, the Neese family didn’t hesitate. Larry Neese, Derrick’s father and owner/qualifier of Neese Roofing, quickly sprang into action. Weeks earlier, a conversation with Tri-County Metals area manager Brian Hubble came to mind—Brian had told Larry to reach out if ever there was a way their company could contribute to a meaningful community project.
This was the moment.
Although another contractor had already secured the main rebuild contract, Larry reached out to Tri-County Metals and proposed something bold: What if they teamed up to donate all the roofing and exterior wall systems at zero cost to help Al’s Family Farms get back to business?
Tri-County Metals said yes.
Together, Neese Roofing and Tri-County Metals donated time, materials, and labor to rebuild the roof and structural envelope of the facility, giving the Schorner family critical financial relief in a time of immense pressure and grief. It wasn’t just a construction project it was an act of community, compassion, and quiet heroism.
“This award is not just about a roof,” said Larry Neese. “It’s about people. It’s about standing together in hard times, doing the right thing when no one’s watching, and showing what real leadership looks like in a local business.”
The S.T.A.R. Community Award is a testament to that ethos. It’s proof that excellence in roofing can and should be matched by excellence in character.
Today, Al’s Family Farms is back on the rise, thanks in part to the generosity and grit of our faithful community who refused to let tragedy be the final chapter. And through their unwavering commitment to service, Neese Roofing continues to raise the bar not just for roofing contractors, but for what it means to be a cornerstone in your community.
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