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Professional Roofing: What is the most unusual roofing project of which you have been a part?
Cash: We designed a reroofing project for a 5,227-square (47,043-m²) shopping center. The two lowest bids by good roofing contractors had a difference of $100. We got the contract awarded to both contractors after conferring with them, as well as the owner. It was a great job.

Why did you become involved in the roofing industry?
A young lady and I agreed to get married shortly after I was discharged from the Army. I took the first job I was offered, with Ruberoid, about a week after I left the Army.

What was your first roofing experience?
My first roofing materials experience was learning about asphalt, felts, granules, coatings and sealants in Ruberoid's research laboratory in South Bound Brook, N.J.

What are your favorite items on your desk?
Some of my most valued items probably are my telephone, computer and a panoramic photo of a sunset over the Pacific Ocean taken from a San Diego condominium. The computer and telephone are my links to clients. The photograph reminds me of good times with friends and family.

What do you consider your most rewarding experiences?
Solving problems for clients. A few weeks ago, I received a telephone call from a client for whom we had replaced the roof of a manufacturing facility about 25 years ago. The client elected to have the roof system surveyed because of its age. The survey detected some minor flashing and expansion-joint problems, but the general roof surface was reported to be in "like-new" condition. The inspectors refused to believe the roof system's age.

What was your first job?
My first roofing job as a monitor was on a new roof for Genesee Community College in Batavia, N.Y. We had to combat weather and a tight schedule to permit the college to open.

What is your favorite vacation?
Winter visits with my son, daughter-in-law and three grandchildren in San Diego.

What do you consider a waste of time?
Meetings longer than one hour.

What are your best and worst habits?
I am fairly well-organized but sometimes tend to procrastinate, mulling a problem over to find the best practical answer.

What is your biggest pet peeve?
Con artists—governmental or industrial.

If you could invite any three people to dinner (dead or alive), whom would you invite and why?
Jack Paar, Steve Allen and Johnny Carson for some wonder-filled conversation.

What is your favorite stress reliever?
My wife and I enjoy visiting with friends and playing contract bridge.

What are the most challenging aspects of your job?
Many of the problems with our projects are difficult to solve (they wouldn't consult us if there was an easy solution). I just hope and pray I can solve the problems.

What is your roofing industry involvement?
I work with ASTM International and served the maximum three terms (six years) as chairman of its Committee D08 on Roofing and Waterproofing. In addition, I attempt to do some basic research on the durability of materials and write at least one paper a year—usually two.

People would be surprised to know ...
In addition to problem solving for clients, I volunteer as a counselor at Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) despite not being retired. SCORE is part of the U.S. Small Business Administration; we try to help small businesses achieve their goals.