Veteran Roofer Opens Up Shop — Post-Retirement

Meet Brian Torry from Phoenix, Ariz. Torry is the president and CEO of Elite Roofing Co. Founded a little over a year ago, they just opened their third location.

Brian moved to Phoenix, Ariz., from Louisiana when he was 20-years-old. His education consisted of a high school diploma and a lifetime of hunting and fishing. He said it was a background that made him highly-qualified for not knowing what he wanted to do with himself. After six months, his parents recommended he file for unemployment.

35-years ago that was how you found a job, Torry said.

So he stood in the unemployment line waiting to file when someone with Southwest Roofing Supply walked up looking for someone to answer their phones. Brian started work that day -- and said thats where his real education began.

I completely stumbled into it, it just happened to be, Torry said. It could just as easily been selling cars.

But it just stuck -- like tar to a roof. He worked hard to climb up the employment ladder until he found himself in a management position. Impressed by his skills and work-ethic, two of his mentors, Ron Pugh and Rodney Burns, offered him ownership in Roofing Supply Inc. in exchange for opening stores in Arizona and California.

Their business plan was: offer minority ownership to bright, motivated young people already established in the roofing distribution business, and give them the financing and mentorship to succeed. Torry accepted their offer and thrived under their tutelage, opening 11 locations under them.

When Pugh and Burns sold their business to a private equity firm in 2006, Torry stayed with the company but didnt enjoy his work. He missed the entrepreneurial spirit of a small business and felt out-of-touch with the community. So when his contract was up he left.

Once you get to a level of success you become a prime target of acquisition by competitors, Torry said. While I understand where its coming from, I dont like it. Its unhealthy for the roofing industry because it does drive up the pricing and eliminates the entrepreneurial spirit.

By this time, Torry had been in the roofing business for more than 30 years. He heard retirement calling his name, but didnt like the sound.

Link:
Veteran Roofer Opens Up Shop -- Post-Retirement