Then comes the continuation of my own story as I had grown up in this business. At the time, there weren't any stringent requirements for safety or labor laws, so my father would take me on weekends to work with his crews as early as 8 years old. There, my father and his men would push me aggressively both physically and psychologically with the goal of molding me into a greater version of my father. At the time, I did not understand this, but after years of reflecting back on these times, I finally understood what my father was attempting to create within myself: "The will and ability to overcome adversity, and always strive towards being the best at everything we do."
As I got older, I became a rebellious teenager and began to separate myself from my family at the age of 16. At that age, I started doing freelance odd jobs until eventually, I ended up succumbing to working in an industry that I despised with a passion, which was my father’s industry: Roofing & Waterproofing. At 17 years old, I began working in the sheet metal department of a small union shop. I worked side by side with my mentor at the time, fabricating and installing custom sheet metal for schools, Catholic churches, residential homes, and commercial properties.
At 19 years old, I transitioned to field production, working in both commercial roofing and waterproofing. After working eight years in field operations, I decided to relocate to South Florida to be closer to my two younger children in 2006. At the time, South Florida’s roofing industry was extremely overwhelmed due to a series of hurricanes that passed in the summer of 2005, and it was a great opportunity for me to make a transition.
I began working as a crew chief for a reputable company in South Florida at the time and eventually transitioned into my first opportunity outside of the field and into manufacturing. After manufacturing, I began working in construction management in high-profile commercial roofing, then to project management, sales and estimating, chief estimator, and eventually, vice president of operations. My experience has not only been in commercial roofing but also steep slope roofing, custom sheet metal, concrete restoration, waterproofing, pavers, green roofing, design, solar photovoltaic systems, safety, CERTA training, commercial roofing products installation trainings, and educational presentations.
