Details

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What is your position within your company?
I am president of Ridgeworth Roofing Co. Inc., Frankfort, Ill.

What is the most unusual roofing project of which you have been a part?
A tear-off on the corner of Michigan and Ontario streets in the middle of downtown Chicago—the City of Chicago's Department of Transportation representative forgot to mention the Spanish Heritage Parade would be passing by as we were lowering tear-off material from 200 feet in the air.

Why did you become a roofing contractor?
My dad started our company one year before my high school graduation. I came to help out for a few years and ended up graduating from the school of roofology and following in his footsteps.

What is your roofing industry involvement?
I am a past president of the Chicago Roofing Contractors Association (CRCA) and the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association and currently serve as an NRCA director. I also am chairman of the Roofers Advisory Council for the State of Illinois Department of Finance and Professional Regulation. I still participate as co-chair of CRCA's Industry Affairs Committee.

What was your first roofing experience?
Tearing off coal-tar pitch and fiberglass and reinstalling the same—after a week, I asked my dad what I did to make him dislike me so much!

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Monaco for the Formula 1® Grand Prix race with my friend Dennis

What qualities do you most like in a person?
Honesty, hardworking and punctuality

What are the most challenging aspects of your job?
Getting different personalities to work together to reach a solution to a difficult problem

Name one extravagance you allow yourself.
Having a few high-horsepower toys in my garage

What's the most exciting thing you've done?
Motorcycling with my son, Dan, and my daughter, Ashley, through the Rocky Mountains

What's your favorite movie?
"Goodfellas" or "The Godfather"

If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Why?
Being able to see into the future to eliminate making mistakes

Who's your hero?
My dad

My favorite thing about working in the roofing industry is …
Being able to do at least one charitable project a year for someone less fortunate

What is your favorite food?
Great Italian food with an equally great bottle of wine

List three words that best describe you.
Driven, fair and honest

People would be surprised to know …
I am a grandfather to two beautiful grandchildren with a third on the way. They affectionately call me Grumpy!