Details

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Taylor, chief executive officer and chairman of the board for Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based D.C. Taylor Co., with his wife, Julie; daughter, Lauren; sons (from left to right), Ben, Brent and Tyler; and dogs (from left to right), Stella, Riley and Buddy.

Professional Roofing: What is the most difficult roofing project you've performed?
Taylor: Sea World of Texas, San Antonio. My 12-member crew installed a fabric roof system over a whale pool. Unfortunately, by the time the general contractor told us we could begin roof system installation, the pool had been filled with water. The crew installed the roof system working from a flat-bottom boat! The prefabricated membrane was made of PVC coated with Teflon® and stretched over cables attached to columns. The crew had to tension the cables to 14,000 pounds (6300 kg) using hydraulic jacks without pulling down the columns. The roof system resembles a tall sailing ship's masts.

Why did you become a roofing contractor?
After my sophomore year in college, I was working on a roofing crew learning to mop. During a beautiful Iowa summer day, I looked across the horizon at the trees and adjacent buildings' roofs and could not imagine why I would want to be an accountant, which is what I was studying at the time. I loved constructing and being able to see my work result in something tangible.

What was your first roofing experience?
I was the "brush man" on a crew that sprayed emulsion on a smooth-surfaced saw-tooth roof system. My job was to brush the emulsion with a 36-inch (900-mm) soft-bristled broom. We had a contest to see how much area we could complete each day. The camaraderie was fantastic. After several months, I really could handle a broom!

What is your favorite item on your desk?
My computer because I can communicate via e-mail with clients and prospects; observe reports about where our crews are working, projects' statuses, and budgets and financial statements; and view other information about my business.

What was your first job?
I worked in a warehouse unloading 100-pound (45-kg) sandbags from train cars. My father knew if I was tired I would be less likely to get into mischief. I was 14 years old and earned $1 per hour.

What are your favorite vacations?
I love to travel. My wife, Julie, and I have a house in Three Lakes, Wis., on Three Lakes Chain of Lakes where we boat and ride our Sea-Doo® watercraft. Sailing in the Caribbean and West Indies are my favorite spots in winter, and Europe is my summer favorite—no city compares to Rome. I also love New York City for entertainment and Chicago for great food and shopping—and NRCA's employees! Colorado is great for skiing in the winter and camping in the summer.

With which fictional character do you most closely identify and why?
Dorothy Dunnett, my favorite author, has written several books about a fictional character who is adventurous; a loving, caring father and husband; and an astute business-person. I really would like to more closely identify with the successful part of this character. Hey, there's still time left!

What are your best and worst habits?
My best habit is my work ethic; I love to work. That also probably is my worst habit; I'm a workaholic.

What are the most challenging aspects of your job?
Assisting and inspiring company personnel to believe in themselves and what they do.

What is your roofing industry involvement?
D.C. Taylor is an NRCA and National Roofing Legal Resource Center member, and I am a member of NRCA's board of directors. I also am chairman of NRCA's PAC Advisory Committee, which allows me to help industry professionals understand what NRCA is doing for them in Washington, D.C.

People would be surprised to know that …
I love hip-hop music!