FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE          

Ann Marzano and Dan Merrill of EcoWise Inc. Earn Certified Graduate Remodelor™ Designation

Wayne, Illinois, March 24, 2008 - Ann Marzano and Dan Merrill, of EcoWise Inc. in Wayne, Illinois, have earned the designation of Certified Graduate Remodelor™  (CGR) from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Remodelors™ Council.  They are two of only 2000 professional Remodelers nationwide who have attained or are in the process of earning the CGR certification.

CGR recognizes those Remodelers who demonstrate exceptional business integrity, technical competence, and a solid track record of customer satisfaction.  To earn the CGR designation, a remodeler must complete a series of industry-specific education courses, provide letters of recommendation, proof of licensing and insurance, and adhere to a strict Code of Ethics.  CGR stands for professionalism, experience, and a commitment to quality.

EcoWise roofing company shows respect for environment

Publication Northwest Herald
Date May 23, 2006
Section(s) News

WAYNE - A couple of years ago, Wayne resident Ann Marzano found herself in a predicament most homeowners encounter at least once in a lifetime: She needed a new roof.

Her large home, situated within a quiet neighborhood off Dunham Road, had been blanketed with a cedar shake roof when it was built. Less than 20 years later, she said, she experienced various problems, from leaks to insects.

A widow with a teenage son, Marzano began to research the subject and obtained estimates from various roofing companies.

"We have a covenant in our neighborhood which stated that you could not have an asphalt roof," Marzano said. "Most of the homes have cedar shakes and shingles."

Dissatisfied with the high costs, high maintenance and low durability of wood, Marzano began investigating alternatives, finally learning about something called engineered slate.

"Engineered slate looks just like slate," she said, "but it is made of composite materials that are completely recyclable and Earth-friendly, need no maintenance and have a 50-year warranty."

Opting to go that route after receiving approval from her neighborhood's architectural committee, Marzano found herself facing a new predicament - finding someone able to install the roof using these newer materials.
" I could not find someone in the area who was skilled in using these new materials," she said, noting that one roofer agreed to do the project, but later took off with a large deposit.

Finally with the assistance of a friend who happened to be a retired engineer, Marzano decided to create a new company that does exactly what she wanted and needed - design and install roofscapes using environmentally friendly materials. Her business, EcoWise Inc., officially was formed about a year ago.

"The focus of the company is to help homeowners increase the value of their homes in an affordable and environmentally responsible manner," said Dan Merrill, Marzano's partner and project manager.

"We use recycled materials as much as possible and recycle the old materials [that are taken off the existing roof] whenever it makes sense to do so."

Recycling old roofing materials, such as cedar shakes, is important to them, said Marzano, who said she always has cared about recycling products at home.

"For example, with the cedar, we will grind the old shingles up and use the resulting mulch as landscaping materials for the homeowner or give it to the county to use on its trails," she said.

Learning everything they can about the roofing business, Marzano and Merrill now offer a variety of custom-designed roofscapes to satisfy the needs of all kinds of customers - and their respective architectural restrictions.

EcoWise Inc. offers synthetic slate, cedar and clay tiles in many shapes, colors and textures. These synthetics are a composite blend of fibers, rubbers and plastics, with polymer binders, Marzano said. "We also offer many types and styles of metal roofing which mimic slate, cedar, tile and more classic standing rib patterns, and we know exactly how to treat and install these products so that they turn out as beautiful as they should," Marzano said.

Because these products are light in weight, no additional support is required for installation, Marzano said. They also can result in lower homeowners' insurance rates, since they are fire-resistant, impervious to insects and carry 50-year transferable warranties.

As a former editor and stay-at-home mom for several years, Marzano said she is thrilled with her new lifestyle and business.

"No, I never saw myself starting a roofing company," she said. "But no one else out here is doing what I'm doing. Plus, with today's trend toward being environmentally friendly and using ecologically-friendly products everywhere else, we felt this was an opportunity that we couldn't pass up."

By DAWN LASSITER
editorial@kcchronicle.com

ECOWISE INC.
P.O. Box 269, Wayne, IL 60184.
Phone: (630) 497-9503

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