Details

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Finance/administration partner and co-owner of Supreme Roofing Systems Inc., Dallas

Sterrett with his daughter, Stephani; son, Grayson; and wife, Sherri.

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

Sterrett: Reroofing a downtown Dallas high-rise office building. It was a tough job logistically. The 12-member crew installed a 3,500-square-foot (315-m²) two-ply modified bitumen roof system. The job also included tearing off and reinstalling a patio deck that featured more than 24 inches (610 mm) of tapered, lightweight insulation. The crew only could work at night, and because workers used a crane that blocked a road, they only had two nights to complete the project.

Why did you become a roofing contractor?

My first job after college was an entry-level salesman/estimator position. I liked the people and pace at the company and saw great potential in the roofing industry.

What was your first job?

Shoveling corn and soybeans in an Illinois grain elevator when I was 15 years old. After every rain, I had to crawl into a cellar to start a sump pump. The smell of molding grain was awful, and the corn-fed rats were the size of tomcats!

What was your first roofing experience?

I was assigned as a roofing worker to learn the trade when I started as a salesman/estimator. I had to tear off wall flashings with an ax. After two weeks, my blisters stopped bleeding and I had great respect for the trade.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

I have two partners, Tim Rainey and Keith Post. Our challenge has been to channel three separate ideas into a common goal.

What do you consider your most rewarding experience?

Coaching youth-league sports teams. I hope I make a difference. I believe team sports develop many qualities necessary to being successful in business, such as teamwork, discipline, commitment, leadership and more.

With which fictional characters do you most closely identify?

In business, I identify with the tortoise from the fable "The Tortoise and the Hare" because I focus on long-term objectives and overall goals. Personally, I would say Spiderman because I believe in doing good deeds and not expecting anything in return.

What are your best and worst habits?

My best habit is using my driving time to listen to audio books. I love to read and learn and hope I am improving myself while I drive. My worst habit is not delegating responsibilities to Supreme Roofing Systems' highly competent employees.

What is your roofing industry involvement?

Supreme Roofing Systems is a member of NRCA, the North Texas Roofing Contractors Association and Construction Finance Managers Association, as well as a certified commercial contractor of the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas. My company also is a charter governor/contractor for The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress and member of the National Roofing Legal Resource Center.

People would be surprised to know that ...

I have had two holes in one while golfing. It is surprising because I am not a great golfer.