There are many things fathers do to develop strong bonds with their sons—spend time together, develop shared interests and work together on projects. Sometimes, these bonds extend to the workplace, helping a company achieve professional success. This month, as the U.S. celebrates Father’s Day and the industry celebrates National Roofing Week, it’s the perfect time to speak with fathers and sons who enjoy working together in the roofing industry. With eight groups of fathers and sons employed by Deer Park Roofing Inc., Cincinnati, it is a great example of how well it can work.
Bo Huff (father), residential field supervisor
Brady Huff (son), residential technician
When and why did you join the roofing industry?
Bo: I was looking for a trade to get into, and my uncle introduced me to roofing. I’ve been in the industry since 2005.
Brady: When I was in high school, I decided I wasn’t a big fan of school. I like to use my hands, and that’s what my dad does.
What are your favorite parts about working in the industry?
Bo: Being outside, and there’s always a different job and task to handle
Brady: Working outside and the adrenaline
How long have you worked together?
Brady: One year
Did you persuade your son to join the industry?
Bo: Yes, I did for several reasons. Brady is good with his hands. College didn’t seem like a great fit for him, and the roofing industry needs new youth coming into the field, so I pushed this for him. Lastly, it’s pretty cool to be two generations in the industry.
Describe your working relationship.
Bo: Occasionally, we get to work with each other. At times, I’m his boss.
Describe a proud moment you’ve had.
Bo: I have had four “old-school” foremen tell me about the good work Brady does and how hard he works; it makes me feel extremely proud. He has paid attention as I have shown him how to have a good work ethic.
Brady: Seeing my dad get promoted to superintendent
David Slone (father), field foreman
Hunter Slone (son), field technician
When and why did you join the roofing industry?
David: I was looking for work; I have now been in this industry since 1991.
Hunter: In 2019, I needed work and there was an opportunity for a career in roofing I could be proud of.
What are your favorite parts about working in the industry?
David: Working in the field
Hunter: Working in the field, meeting new people, working with my hands and learning new things
How long have you worked together?
Hunter: Almost three years
Describe your working relationship.
David: Hunter is my No. 1 man!
Hunter: It’s good! I enjoy learning from my dad. He has a lot of knowledge to share that I can use.
Describe a proud moment you’ve had.
David: There is not one moment—I am proud of everything Hunter does!
Hunter: I’m always proud of my dad. There’s nothing in roofing he can’t do.
Kenny Fields (father), residential repair foreman
Josh Fields (son), technician
When and why did you join the roofing industry?
Kenny: Roofing was something I picked up quickly and am good at. I’ve been in the roofing industry since 1994.
Josh: When I was 19, my dad was a subcontractor at Deer Park Roofing. I started working with him and found I like the work.
What are your favorite parts about working in the industry?
Kenny: Working outside and creating something I call art
Josh: Working outside
How long have you worked together?
Josh: One year
Did you persuade your son to join the roofing industry?
Kenny: Ever since Josh was little, he would help me, so it all fell into place naturally.
Describe your working relationship.
Kenny: I teach and guide him.
Josh: We butt heads a lot.
Describe a proud moment you’ve had.
Kenny: I’m proud to see Josh be productive and grow into a man.
Josh: Seeing how much pride my dad puts into his work
Kevin Landsom (father), foreman
Owen Landsom (son), maintenance technician
When and why did you join the roofing industry?
Kevin: I started in roofing when I was 16 years old. I learned slate and tile work and enjoy the trade.
Owen: Since I was 13 years old, I have always helped my dad on roofs. I started working at Deer Park Roofing because I wanted to learn a trade.
What are your favorite parts about working in the industry?
Kevin: Solving roofing problems for customers
Owen: Learning a trade while helping customers—it feels good to help solve a customer’s problem.
How long have you worked together?
Owen: Almost three years
Did you persuade your son to join the same industry?
Kevin: No, I let him decide. He surprised me by applying for a job at Deer Park Roofing. He has always wanted to work with me since he got his first chance to do so when he was 13.
Describe your working relationship.
Kevin: I think it’s great. Owen wants to know what I know.
Owen: I see my dad as a teacher at work. I try to make him proud. I am lucky to be able to learn from such an experienced man.
Describe a proud moment you’ve had.
Kevin: When I hear Owen talking to customers and explaining their roof system issues, I’m extremely proud of him.
Owen: I’m always proud of my dad, but I’m even prouder when I see him use all his knowledge and skills to get a problem solved on a roof or any job that comes our way. For example, one time he used a 125-foot lift to fix some copper gutters on a local church.
Matt Cox (father), vice president
Nate Cox (son), production manager
When and why did you join the roofing industry?
Matt: I joined the industry 20 years ago when I had the opportunity to work on many types of roofing jobs and interact with multiple people.
Nate: I started working at Deer Park Roofing six months ago because it’s a great opportunity to grow within a large company.
What are your favorite parts about working in the industry?
Matt: Every job is different and unique.
Nate: Being able to visit each job site and see how everything is different and constantly learning new things
How long have you worked together?
Nate: Six months
Did you persuade your son to join the same industry?
Matt: I explained to him the opportunities Deer Park Roofing offers as a company and industry and shared with him my achievements as well as the achievements others his same age have had while working for Deer Park Roofing.
Describe your working relationship.
Matt: I have personally trained him as a production manager, and he currently works under me.
Nate: It’s great.
Describe a proud moment you’ve had.
Matt: Nate solving problems with his customers and crews has been great to see. Hearing other co-workers compare him to me is gratifying. The first time a co-worker went directly to him and bypassed me was my best day.
Nate: Seeing my dad win awards
Sam Cope (father), residential supervisor
Sam (Sammy) Cope Jr. (son), repair technician
When and why did you join the roofing industry?
Sam: I started in roofing when I was young; I’ve been in the industry for 25 years.
Sammy: I started working jobs with my dad on weekends. I like working around family; I guess roofing is in our family genes.
What is your favorite part about working in the industry?
Sam: Taking a look back at the projects we’ve completed
Sammy: I love the simple fact of something coming together.
How long have you worked together?
Sammy: Almost 10 months
Did you persuade your son to join the same industry?
Sam: Yes, it’s a good trade to learn. Someone will always need a roof installed or repaired.
Describe your working relationship.
Sam: It’s great.
Sammy: I would say it’s great, too. If I ever need anything, I just call my dad to help me out.
Describe a proud moment you’ve had.
Sam: Seeing the excitement on my son’s face when he is telling me about the jobs he’s working on
Sammy: When my dad came home and showed me his cool project photos. The coolest one was how he used shingles to install “Let’s go X” on the roof of a bar near Xavier University in Cincinnati.
Shane Gibson (father), property management foreman and estimator
Austin Gibson (son), foreman
When and why did you join the roofing industry?
Shane: I joined the industry in 1988.
Austin: Two years ago because I needed a job at the time
What are your favorite parts about working in the industry?
Shane: Knowing I have the knowledge and talent to make any repairs; having the confidence to stop any leak; working outside with my hands; and never having the same day twice in a row
Austin: Working outside and not doing the same thing every day
How long have you worked together?
Austin: Going on three years
Did you persuade your son to join the same industry?
Shane: Austin spent a few years in dead-end jobs before coming to work at Deer Park Roofing. After a year of working here myself, I knew it would be a good fit for him. He had helped me on different roofing jobs when he was younger.
Describe your working relationship.
Shane: Austin worked as my technician (helper) during his first two years at Deer Park Roofing. We have grown a lot closer working together.
Austin: We’ve become a lot closer.
Describe a proud moment you’ve had.
Shane: It has to be when Austin got promoted to foreman. He’s got his own company truck and is excelling in his new position!
Austin: Seeing my dad become NRCA ProCertified®
Vernon Cope (father), foreman
Matt Cope (son), foreman
Steven Cope (son), foreman
When and why did you join the roofing industry?
Vernon: When I was 16 years old, I started working with my dad in construction. When I was 18, I started working in roofing. Our family always has been in construction. (In addition to having sons work at the same company, fathers Vernon Cope and Sam Cope are brothers.)
Matt: I joined in October 2007 to make my dad proud.
Steven: I enjoy the work and working with family.
What are your favorite parts about working in the industry?
Vernon: I get to work with my hands, and I can drive by and look at previous jobs with a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Matt: Freedom, money, hard labor
Steven: Not being in the same spot every day, being outside and the money
How long have you all worked together?
Matt: 14 years
Describe your working relationship.
Vernon: It’s great.
Matt: Dad is our go-to man when we need advice. He knows everything about roofing.
Describe a proud moment you’ve had.
Vernon: Seeing the boys learning so much
Matt: The amount of time my dad has put into working at Deer Park Roofing. He’s a top worker.
Steven: Dad is always the one to go to on a lot of roofing projects. He has helped the company grow from the beginning.
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