Details

WHAT IS YOUR POSITION WITHIN YOUR COMPANY? I am general manager of Empire Roofing, Fort Worth, Texas.

WHAT IS THE MOST UNUSUAL ROOFING PROJECT OF WHICH YOU HAVE BEEN A PART? We replaced a roof system that was damaged by a tornado in Marshalltown, Iowa. The roof was blown off in most areas, and several of the roof decks were compromised. We worked with general contractors and engineers to make the roof watertight and structurally sound. We went through many obstacles but finished the roof on time and within budget.

WHY DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED IN THE ROOFING INDUSTRY? My parents started Empire Roofing in 1982. Although they always encouraged me to find a job I would love, I always came back to the family business. I guess it was just bred into me!

PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ... I played college softball and was going to move to New York to play after my two years at junior college. I decided to come home instead and start working in the family business while going to school.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST ROOFING EXPERIENCE? As a young teen, I wanted to be like our vice president of sales at the time. I remember thinking he had the best job, and I was sure he made a lot of money! My dad took me to a coal-tar pitch tear-off, and he made me stand by the kettle that was letting off green smoke. My dad told me to get close to it and smell it—I remember it was not pleasant. He also had me get close to the guys who were tearing off fiberglass felts, which also was not pleasant. My dad said if I wanted to sell I needed to understand what the guys do every day. He told me I would need to make sure I sold plenty of jobs so we could afford to pay these men for the hard work they do every day. To this day, I have not forgotten his words.

WHAT THREE CONDIMENTS ALWAYS ARE IN YOUR FRIDGE? Buffalo sauce, ketchup and mustard

WHAT IS YOUR ROOFING INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT? I have served on the boards of the North Texas Roofing Contractors Association and Midwest Roofing Contractors Association. I also currently serve on NRCA’s board of directors.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? Besides working at Empire Roofing, my first job was at the mall working for Things Remembered. I learned how to up-sell, monogram and engrave! It was a pretty cool job for a high schooler.

WHAT QUALITY DO YOU MOST ADMIRE IN A PERSON? I believe loyalty encompasses a lot of qualities. More than likely, if you are a loyal person, you are an honest person and have integrity, as well.

WHAT’S THE MOST EXCITING/ADVENTUROUS THING YOU’VE DONE? Having kids. I am surprised every day, and I would not trade it for the world.

WHAT SONG ARE YOU LISTENING TO OVER AND OVER? “Control,” by For King and Country

IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY SUPERPOWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE? WHY? Creating more time. There never is enough time in a day, week or month, and in addition to never having enough time to get things done, I would like more time with my babies.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER A WASTE OF TIME? Dealing with dumb people

WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? Either a singer or an actress

MY FAVORITE PART ABOUT WORKING IN THE ROOFING INDUSTRY IS ... The people

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE ROOFING MATERIAL TO WORK WITH? WHY? I like polymer-modified bitumen because the quality is amazing, and the finished product always looks nice when installed.

WHAT IS THE MOST HIGH-TECH ITEM IN YOUR HOUSE? My Control4 smart home system

IF YOU HAD A TIME MACHINE, WOULD YOU GO TO THE FUTURE OR THE PAST? WHY? I would go to the past because the future in our country looks pretty messy at this point!

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE STRESS RELIEVERS? Massages and facials!

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR MOST REWARDING EXPERIENCES? Having babies and experiencing life with them