A manufacturer’s heartfelt commitment to veterans

By Dani Sheehan. 

TAMKO’s initiatives for veterans are more than just programs – they are ingrained in the company’s culture. 

While veterans tend to think of themselves last, TAMKO is dedicated to keeping them top of mind, honoring those that have served our country. Not only does TAMKO consistently seek opportunities to support veterans and their communities, but veterans also make up more than 15% of the company's nationwide workforce, with an even larger percentage in leadership roles. We recently sat down with VP and Chief Marketing & Product Development Officer for TAMKO Building Products LLC Chris Freeborg to learn more about these incredible initiatives and the company’s heartfelt connection to military service. 

A veteran himself, Chris deeply values TAMKO’s commitment to the veteran community. “The fact that we’re able to put veterans first means a lot to me,” he shared. Reflecting on his own experience in the military, he added, “I think about the various individuals that I was privileged enough to serve with. I got to see the different environments in which we are engaged and how we serve and interact. The culture and the camaraderie that we have there. For us to be able to pay those people back and really honor those that served, it’s cliche, but it really is a privilege.”  

Honoring veterans with Operation Rooftop 

One of TAMKO’s biggest initiatives is their partnership with the Kansas City Chiefs for Operation Rooftop. Chris tells us, “It’s really designed to be able to give back to those who have selflessly served our country. To honor their dedication and sacrifice. It’s a program where active and veteran military service members can sign up and enter a chance to win a complete roof installation.”  

TAMKO and the Kansas City Chiefs are getting ready to publicly announce the winner and are planning the installation before the end of the year. Chris, who has already been in touch with the recipient, shared that this veteran’s story is especially touching. “He's a marine and hearing just how much it means to him, it really hits home. I think to myself, ‘Yeah, we get to do this. It's great.’ But then you get to see just the individual emotion. And you're able to help these people in a way that probably means more than we ever thought it could.” 

The power of hiring veterans 

TAMKO’s commitment to hiring veterans is an essential part of their company’s mission. Chris emphasized that hiring veterans isn’t about offering favors – it's about finding the right talent for the job. “We want to hire veterans because they bring a lot of tremendous aspects. They bring leadership. They bring drive,” he said. “What makes our military great is they are the epitome of cross functional teamwork. It’s such a multifaceted organization, and their ability to bring that knowledge and skill set is what truly distinguishes our veterans within the civilian workforce, particularly in manufacturing.”  

TAMKO’s cross-functional approach, with interconnected departments like sales, marketing, research and development, mirrors the complex teamwork demonstrated by veterans through their career. Chris oversees both the company’s marketing strategy and product development, combining internal and external facets to ensure TAMKO provides quality building products. Veterans are perfectly suited for this environment, and investing in them benefits TAMKO by building a workforce that drives their growth. 

TAMKO’s initiatives and support for veterans are an integral part of their company culture. Stay tuned for the upcoming Operation Rooftop announcement and learn more about how TAMKO’s shareholders and employees give their time and resources to support veterans and community organizations.