Details

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President and chief executive officer of Royal Roofing Co., Los Angeles.

Pinkus with his wife, Stephanie, and children, Aubrey and Daniel.

Professional Roofing: What is the most difficult roofing project you’ve performed?
Pinkus: Reroofing two side-by-side, three-tiered, seven-story office buildings in Los Angeles. To contain dust and debris, the 16-member crew removed and double-bagged 150 tons (136 metric tons) of hot-mopped, built-up roofing (BUR) materials per building. The crew then installed seven-layer BUR modified bitumen cap sheets over a perlite cover board with a low-fume asphalt product.

Why did you become a roofing contractor?
I started at Royal Roofing in 1980 as a commissioned salesman. By 1984, I was the company’s assistant manager, and by 1988, I was Los Angeles zone manager. That year, Royal Roofing’s owner and my mentor, Tom Beattie, began planning his retirement and gave Royal Roofing’s six key salesmen—including myself—the opportunity to become branch owners while paying off debt and purchase prices. We accomplished this goal, and in 1993, we reincorporated.

What are the most challenging aspects of your job?
Maintaining overhead and profit levels.

What was your first roofing experience?
My first day at Royal Roofing, Tom and I estimated a low-slope roof system on a two-story house. I had trouble setting up the ladder without breaking a window or damaging the homeowner’s car that was in the way! I climbed the ladder halfway and realized I was scared and couldn’t climb up or down. I finally made it to the roof, but I had ladder marks on my white shirt because I was hugging the ladder so tightly!

What is your favorite item in your office?
A photograph strip of me and my children, Aubrey and Daniel, taken in a shopping mall photo booth. It has a picture of us making funny faces and a picture of the Three Stooges® making the same funny faces. It always makes me laugh!

What was your first job?
I was a store activities representative at McDonald’s when I was 16. I gave store tours and managed birthday parties. I earned $2.20 per hour.

What do you consider wastes of time?
Complaining and inaction.

What are your favorite stress relievers?
Family time; going to the gym; and reading newspapers, industry trade magazines and racing magazines.

What are your best and worst habits?
My best habit is quickly resolving issues within my organization and with clientele. My worst habit is accumulating too many papers. I like clipping technical articles and new product information from magazines and need to find a better way to organize them.

What is your roofing industry involvement?
Royal Roofing is a member of NRCA, the Western States Roofing Contractors Association and Roofing Contractors Association of California. The company also has been involved in several Habitat for Humanity projects.

People would be surprised to know that …
I’ve been a magician for 25 years and am a member of the Hollywood Magic Castle, a private magician’s club.