Our Founder

Larry Burns

Larry Burns founded CRS™ as a small company in 1981 with a goal of supplying the best materials and supplies to the best contractors. Originally a manufacturer’s rep firm focused on the promotion of single-ply roofing materials, within two years CRS had acquired a warehouse and truck to better supply and support their customers. This started the path towards what is today a regional commercial and residential distribution business led by his son Brett and daughter Caroline with over 200 employees in nine locations across Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida. CRS branches now occupy more than 500,000 square feet of warehouse space and acres of outdoor storage.

Larry was strongly committed to his employees and their professional development. He knew any success he enjoyed would not be possible without the support and dedication of his employees. His legacy includes a culture that looks for employees who want make CRS their career – whether they start in the warehouse or the sales counter or in management, Larry strongly believed in the upward potential of people from all educational and experience backgrounds, so long as they were willing to put in the work.

Larry was an avid Georgia bulldog fan, having graduated with a degree in Marketing. It was during his time at UGA that he was introduced to the roofing business: while still a student, he followed a childhood friend into the commercial roofing business during the summers as a way to make some money while staying fit and getting a tan.

Larry passed away unexpectedly in December 2024, while still serving as CRS’ CEO. Brett and Caroline expanded the board of directors in the wake of his passing, adding their mother, Ann, and two independent directors, moving forward with the intent to continue Larry’s mission and vision of being the finest independent roofing distribution company in the southeast.