Details

WHAT IS YOUR POSITION WITHIN YOUR COMPANY? I am safety manager for Korellis Inc., Hammond, Ind.

WHAT IS THE MOST UNUSUAL ROOFING PROJECT OF WHICH YOU HAVE BEEN A PART? The most unusual work I’ve done is with the Department of Energy in New Mexico and Texas. I’ve never had to submit so much documentation for a project. On-site security officers watch us work and escort crew members at all times. Planning these types of jobs can be overwhelming, but Korellis has adapted exceptionally well to the environment.

WHAT IS YOUR ROOFING INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT? Korellis is a proud member of NRCA, and many staff members are involved with NRCA committees. I currently serve on NRCA’s Health and Safety Committee, as well as other local chapter committees. I attend conferences, training and seminars with NRCA and CPWR, as well.

WHY DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED IN THE ROOFING INDUSTRY? Roofing isn’t a career most people grow up dreaming about, but those who get involved can see there’s a true need for the work. What sold me on being part of Korellis is the company has an employee stock ownership plan and is 100% employee-owned. I enjoy true part-ownership in the company and work to secure its future.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST ROOFING EXPERIENCE? I had little roofing experience when I entered the roofing industry, but my background was in safety, heavy equipment, fall protection and hazard communication standards, so I knew I could use my knowledge to be an asset for Korellis.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? I worked for my father’s cellular retail business.

PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ... I served in the Army for 12 years as an infantry and staff officer before training in its safety program. One of my final posts was when I was called back into active status for Indiana’s COVID-19 response mission.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER A WASTE OF TIME? Complacency and complaining for things to change without taking constructive steps to promote the change yourself.

WHAT’S THE MOST EXCITING/ADVENTUROUS THING YOU’VE DONE? I’ve had some great adventures while in military service. The best was the short time I spent in Japan at a small outpost called Ojojihara near the city of Sendai. The culture, people and environment all made for a truly great experience.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE STRESS RELIEVERS? I love peace and quiet even if it’s being left alone to work on things at home or sitting in the dark listening to music. However, it can be difficult to find peace when my 1 1/2-year-old daughter is growing by the minute and exploring everything in sight. I am completely enamored with her, so it’s easy to forget about the peace and quiet that’s missing.

IF YOU COULD MEET ANY HISTORICAL FIGURE, WHOM WOULD YOU MEET? WHY? That’s a tough one because I’m a history buff. Charles Dickens because I love his work. Abraham Lincoln and Dwight D. Eisenhower because I love studying the history of the Civil War and World War II. Lastly, I would meet the Apostle Paul who is known as the first and most effective missionary in history.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR MOST REWARDING EXPERIENCE? At Korellis, it’s when I teach about safety—my favorite part of the job. The moments that make it rewarding are when I see someone embrace even a small aspect of safety culture or use a safety tool on a job site. If there is one person who took something I taught and passed it on to someone else and prevented an injury, then it has all been worth it.

MY FAVORITE PART ABOUT WORKING IN THE ROOFING INDUSTRY IS ... Not many jobs afford an opportunity to look at something tangible and say: “I helped put that there.”

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE ROOFING MATERIAL TO WORK WITH? WHY? My harness because it’s necessary equipment. The harness is the most important instrument on any job site.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE FOODS? There’s not much I do not like. I like cheeseburgers, seafood, sushi and trying new things. I’m likely the least picky eater in my family.