Details

President of Construcciones Permell S.A. de C. V.,
Monterrey, N.L., Mexico

Pérez outside Santa Engracia Church, San Pedro Garza Garcia, N.L., Mexico, with son Fernando; daughter, Paola; and wife, Claudia, holding son Andrès.

Professional Roofing: What is the most difficult roofing project you've performed?

Pérez: Insulating and waterproofing the Alcoa Plant, which manufactures aluminum rims for cars, in the municipality of Cienega de Flores, Nuevo León, Mexico. The 10-member crew applied polyisocyanurate insulation and an APP-modified bitumen membrane on the plant's 10,764-square-foot (1000-m²) roof system. Alcoa plant personnel required proof that my crew had attended a safety program and my company is licensed and insured, as well as other requirements. Being an NRCA member influenced the plant owners to give my company the project.

Why did you become a roofing contractor?

No roofing contractors could identify and fix a leak in my home's roof system. I decided to learn about roofing and waterproofing and fix it myself.

What was your first job?

When I was 12 years old, I wanted to earn my own money so I bagged and carried groceries at a supermarket.

What was your first roofing experience?

Driving rolls of materials to job sites in my 1963 Chrysler pickup truck.

What is your favorite vacation?

I enjoy spending time with my wife, Claudia; sons, Fernando and Andrès; and daughter, Paola, in South Padre Island, Texas.

What is your favorite item in your office?

My goldfish aquarium.

What do you consider your most rewarding experience?

Rescuing people during Hurricane Gilberto at the Santa Catarina River in Nuevo León. It happened in 1988, and I will never forget it.

What are your favorite stress relievers?

Getting a massage or spending time in a sauna. I also relax while watching Fernando play football and soccer, having lunch with Claudia, and playing with Paola and Andrès at home.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Roofing contractors who are dishonest and perform work incorrectly; I call that unfair competition.

What are your best and worst habits?

My best habit is being attentive to my family. My worst habits are smoking and being a perfectionist.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

Always giving my clients excellent, professional service.

What is your roofing industry involvement?

My company is an NRCA member, and I am NRCA's Mexico/Latin America representative. I also am vice president of the Mexican Chamber of the Construction Industry and president of the administration board of directors for Torre Alta Building, Monterrey.

People would be surprised to know that …

Someday, I would like to be the first Mexican NRCA president.