Details

What is your position within your company?
I am senior project manager for Mid-South Roof Systems, Forest Park, Ga.

What is the most unusual roofing project of which you have been a part?
We completed a single-ply roof system installation for a defense contractor. The project details were typical, but getting the crew on-site might as well have taken an act of Congress. Each roofing worker had to have an original birth certificate or green card and state-issued ID, as well as pass a 10-panel drug test, background check and online safety test before he or she could attend the safety orientation to receive his or her badge. It wasn't fun preparing all that for the crew, and it took more than one month from start to finish.

Why did you become involved in the roofing industry?
I was in residential and commercial masonry sales for almost 10 years before coming to Mid-South Roof Systems though I did some metal roofing work while in college. I left sales because I was tired of it and wanted to transition into the contracting/operations side of construction. A friend introduced me to Mid-South Roof Systems' chief operations officer just as the company's project manager was about to relocate. I was hired after three interviews and began "cutting my teeth" in project management!

What was your first roofing experience?
I did some metal roofing work for my roommate's brother during the summer of 2001 in Bolivar, Tenn. I learned a lot about residential metal, but I also fell off a roof two weeks before my wedding day. I wasn't tied-off when I tried to fasten a ridge cap while bearing my weight on the screw to drive it down. The panels were wet from a light rain, and my foot slipped, sending me launching off the roof. I landed on my feet but severely sprained my ankle. Good times.

What is your roofing industry involvement?
I currently am enrolled in Class 9 of NRCA University's Future Executives Institute.

What's the most exciting thing you've done?
Starting a family—we had children at a young age, which was scary at the time. It turned out just fine though.

What do you consider your most rewarding experience?
Finishing in third place for Brazilian jiu-jitsu during the 2017 Atlanta Open. I was really proud to get on the podium after a tough summer of training hard with guys who are absolute lions.

What was your first job?
I worked for a strawberry farmer in central Florida during high school. I loaded trucks, killed weeds and got to drive tractors. It was probably the most fun job I ever had, but I was making only $4.75 per hour.

People would be surprised to know ...
I like philosophy a lot. There are several podcasts I regularly listen to during my hour-long commute to and from work.

If you could meet any historical figure, whom would you meet?
Thomas Aquinas

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a marine biologist because I loved sharks. I still know a fair amount about them because I've done quite a bit of saltwater fishing in Florida. I also DVR Shark Week every summer.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why?
I know I should name some exotic location, but I'm a Tennessee guy who'd like to travel up and down east Tennessee for as long as I could. That area is home to me, and I hope to retire there. I'm also a descendant of John Sevier, Tennessee's first governor.