Details

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What is your position within your company?
I am vice president of Cole Roofing Co. Inc., Baltimore, and president of Pfister Energy of Baltimore LLC.

What is the most unusual roofing project you've performed?
We installed 12,000 square feet of vegetative roofing on the Natty Boh Tower in Baltimore. The building has multiple levels. On the top tower is a lighted Mr. Boh winking at passers-by.

Why did you become a part of the roofing industry?
I started working in the shop at age 14 and moved into different positions over time. At about 25 years old, I realized I enjoyed meeting people and helping them resolve roofing-related issues that were causing them pain in their business operations.

What was your first roofing experience?
Operating a forklift on the ground to supply a crew with materials. As luck would have it, the forklift ran out of gas and, as an inexperienced rookie, I filled it with diesel instead of gasoline, earning me the ire of my crew mates.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
An astronaut, professional basketball player, professional skateboarder or BMX rider

What is the most high-tech thing in your house?
My iPad or the wireless connection for my television that I never can get to work correctly

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Anywhere as long as there is a direct flight

What three condiments always are in your fridge?
Ketchup for my son and French vanilla creamer for coffee; other than that, not much matters.

What is your biggest pet peeve?
Answering our business telephone and employee paycheck accuracy

List three words that best describe you.
Ambitious, passionate, humble

What quality do you most like in a person?
The unconditional willingness to help

If you could invite any three people (dead or alive) to dinner, whom would you invite and why?
The first would be my wife, Stephanie, because life doesn't allow us enough chances to do that. Second would be Warren Buffett—I believe there is much to be learned from understanding an independent investor's perspective when purchasing shares of a company, and there is no one better than him. Third would be my grandfather, Bud Cole—he is a resource, mentor and realist. I always can use more of those perspectives in my life.

What are the most challenging aspects of your job?
Enhancing our company's flexibility while embracing the values that have made us successful for more than 92 years

What is your roofing industry involvement?
I am a past board member of Mid Atlantic Roofing Contractors Association; Membership Committee chair for my local RCI chapter; and an NRCA Future Executives Institute class of 2011 graduate.

People would be surprised to know …
Coaching is a passion of mine. I had the fortunate opportunity to spend five years coaching high school football and really enjoyed teaching young men the sport and life skills.