CRS, Inc. Expands Board and Corporate Structure

CRS, Inc. (Commercial Roofing Specialties), based in Atlanta, has announced the establishment of its expanded Board of Directors. The initiative to expand the board and add outside directors began in 2024, led by its founder, Larry Dale Burns, who passed away unexpectedly in December while still serving as the company’s CEO. The newly expanded board had its first meeting April 16.

“The establishment of the expanded board sets in place a governance structure that ensures CRS remains a privately-held family-run entity into the future,” said Brett Burns, CRS President. “Dad started this company in 1981 and we are moving forward with the intent to continue his mission and vision of being the finest independent roofing distribution company in the Southeast.”

The Board of Directors will set the long-range financial and strategic objectives of the business and provide critical counsel to the Burns Family as the business transitions management from its founder. Each board member brings top level board and business experience and expertise to CRS.

Independent board members named include TJ Coombs, President of Coombs and Associates, LLC, who is serving as the Board Chair, and David Brush, former CEO and President of Richard’s Building Supply, a family-owned roofing and building supply distributor based in Chicago.

The other three members of the board are Brett Burns, who will continue to serve as President of CRS, Ann Burns, and Caroline Burns Richmond. As part of establishing the board, Caroline Burns Richmond will take the position of Executive Director of Strategy and Planning, reporting to the board Chair, and will also serve as Board Secretary.

“Larry was so pleased to have both of his children working in the business with him,” said Ann Burns. “He would be proud today to see them work together to map a path forward for CRS in a way that ensures his vision for the company is solidified for future generations of customers and employees.”

CRS, Inc. was built on a foundation of quality products, a knowledgeable staff and unmatched service, and continues to be the go-to supplier for commercial and residential roofing materials and supplies in the Southeast. The company has more than 520,000 square feet of warehouse space and acres of outdoor storage, stretched out over nine locations in major Southeast markets. CRS also offers an extensive ecommerce offering that has sold roofing supplies and equipment to customers in all 50 states.

For more information on CRS, Inc., please call 800-267-2308 or visit www.crssupply.com. Follow CRS on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/crssupply/ and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CRSSUPPLY.

Ann Burns provided the original seed capital for CRS upon its founding in 1981. She is an active community leader, having served in a variety of positions at the Cathedral of St. Philip, one of the largest Episcopal congregations in the United States. Notably, she has served on its governing board, the board of the Cathedral Towers and the Endowment Board. She is also a licensed realtor in the state of Georgia. Ann and Larry Burns were married for 45 years.

Brett Burns joined CRS in 2014 after working in a variety of positions in the national security and defense fields. He has worked in sales, operations, and leadership roles during his time with the company. Brett also serves on the board of IDAC, a national co-op made up of independent roofing and building product distributors. He received his undergraduate degree from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA, and his MBA from the University of Georgia.

Caroline Burns Richmond joined CRS from a global restaurant holding company where she led strategy and analytics teams. Prior, she worked for the Boston Consulting Group in its consumer practice. She received her MBA from the University of Virginia and earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Georgia.

T.J. Coombs is President of Coombs & Associates, LLC, an independent operating partner practice. He has over 40 years of executive management and operating partner experience in building products, basic materials, distribution, construction and manufacturing and services industries.

Dave Brush has 45 years of experience in building materials manufacturing, distribution and sales in addition to extensive executive leadership experience. He previously served as President and CEO of Richards Building Supply, a Chicago-based, family-owned independent building supply distributor. After retiring from Richards in 2017, Dave worked for IKO US as key accounts manager for independent distribution. In retirement, Dave has worked as a consultant for independent distributors and currently serves on two corporate boards and two NFP boards.

Photo Caption: Sitting left to right, Caroline Burns Richmond, Board Secretary, and Ann Burns, Board Member. Standing left to right, TJ Coombs, Board Chairman, Brett Burns, CRS President and Board Member, and David Brush, Board Member.

Feature Image Courtesy of: CRS SUPPLY