The guy in the photo with the Ned Flanders mustache and glasses is Ward in 1991. I joined this prestigious hundred year-old roofing company in 1987 as an estimator project manager.
We did all types of commercial and residential projects with skilled tradesmen that were masters at their craft. A very intense job that required some decompression on Fridays so I could be a pleasant and chill father on the weekends. I got in the habit of putting on my work clothes Friday afternoons and working alongside the crews.
In time, in spite of being called Ned behind my back, I developed some rapport and some of the guys started to take the time to teach me. Particularly the repair guys. I would do my best to diagnose a problematic leak and when the guys had torn things apart where you could actually see the cause they would radio me to come to the job and explain the cause and effect in great detail.
I got lessons and hands on training from the masters in all the departments. Sheet metal, tar and gravel, coal tar pitch, standing seem, wood shingles, EPDM rubber, PVC heat weld, clay tile, concrete tile, flat seam metal, poured gypsum decking, tectum decking, slate, wood shakes etc.
Around 1991 or 92 the ALCOA aluminum company was promoting their new “Country Cedar Aluminum Shakes” and our company got the local franchise. They delegated me to go to Houston for a week of sales training and a week of install training.
The photo to the right is of my son at the training. A few years later he and I started our business together.
I really liked the Alcoa Product and soon got an opportunity to open a branch office in Colorado Springs for a Denver company with the Colorado franchise. That’s how I ended up in Colorado. It didn’t last as a product but it got me here.
In 1994, I was hired by one of the largest commercial roofing companies in El Paso County and was there long enough to get my legs under me and learn the city when a massive hail storm hit the city.
I had already managed residential hail operations through several major storms and was tasked with organizing the residential side of this one. At that time we were USAA’s sole residential contractor and through that storm I developed a great working relationship with the USAA adjusters.
Circling back to the 100 year old roofing company where I starte, the very first day on the job while riding around with the boss I got some of the best advice ever: “Call it like you see it. If you try to figure out what an insurance adjuster wants, how they think, or what they will decide, it will drive you crazy. Just tell the truth and let the chips fall where they lie.”
That’s what I have done, every single job. To the left is me in my office about the time I was promoted to vise president.
Today, Mountview Skylights and Roof Repair continues to build on decades of hands-on roofing experience, helping Colorado Springs homeowners protect their homes and enjoy the benefits of natural light. With a focus on roof repairs, skylight repair, and professional skylight installation, we bring practical expertise, honest recommendations, and personalized service to every project. Our commitment remains the same: find the source of the problem, do the job right, and give our customers confidence in the work protecting their homes.
Ward and Bucky the fearless duo brave rooftops and provide a quality of work and process that we truly believe is unparalelled.
We had another major storm in 1997 and after a few months of 12 hour days and 6 days a week I was done. My son and I started up the business March 3rd 1998 as Guardian Roof Repairs and the day we hung out our shingle USSA called. That started sending us all their residential roof repair work.
Let us know your Colorado Roofing needs! Be it a fixing a leaky roof, repairing, or installing a new skylight we have you covered!
