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Professional Roofing: What is the most unusual roofing project you've performed?
Hupp: We performed a tear-off on a church with a tapered steeple that was eight stories high and had a slope of 24-in-12 (63 degrees). We had a scaffolding system erected that was 18 inches (457 mm) from the roof, bottom to top. The custom scaffolding had to cantilever in as it went up. We then had to tear off the roof and install nailbase insulation and new shingles while working from the scaffolding.

Why did you become a roofing contractor?
My father-in-law started a new business and needed help running his roofing business until retirement. I was doing project management at the time for Abbott Laboratories Inc., Abbott Park, Ill., and was disillusioned by the corporate politics. I traded corporate politics for family politics.

What was your first roofing experience?
While working at Abbott Laboratories, I learned quickly that if a penetration was required on an existing roof, there was one man that needed notification before work began. His only job was to manage roofing for all of the Abbott Laboratories buildings. I realized the importance roofing customers place on managing existing roof systems while maintaining warranties.

What are your favorite items on your desk?
The photos of my family. No matter what may go wrong during the day, they remind me I will see their smiling faces when I get home.

What do you consider your most rewarding experiences?
Personally, being a husband and father by far have been the most rewarding experiences of my life. Professionally, I enjoy the work I have done with the Chicago Roofing Contractors Association (CRCA) and NRCA. I learn about the latest developments within our industry, as well as work with the best people our profession has to offer.

What is your favorite stress reliever?
I like to fish. I have fishing licenses from Illinois, Michigan, Ontario and Wisconsin. Have pole; will travel.

What is your favorite vacation?
I like to go snow skiing out West whenever I get the chance.

What do you consider a waste of time?
Sitting in Chicago traffic is the ultimate waste of time.

What is your biggest pet peeve?
People who lie to me.

If you could invite any three people to dinner (dead or alive), whom would you invite and why?
I would invite only two people to dinner. I would like to break bread with Jesus Christ and the apostle Paul. I would expect a humbling discussion about religion and politics.

What are the most challenging aspects of your job?
As a contractor who does predominantly steep-slope roofing, it is a challenge to successfully complete a large number of projects. A small shingle job is as hard to manage as a large one with much less margin for error. We have many more small jobs than large ones, so this is a daily challenge.

What is your roofing industry involvement?
I have served on the steep-slope committees for CRCA and NRCA.

People would be surprised to know ...
Tom Skilling is one of my heroes. His weather forecasts are works of art.