A natural talent for roofing

By Dani Sheehan. 

Celebrate the people who make roofing extraordinary and see how John’s dedication has made a lasting impact. 

People Make Roofing is a call to action to tackle the biggest challenges in the roofing industry and show the next generation the true potential of roofing. In the latest episode, Luke McCormack from McCormack Partners and our own Heidi J. Ellsworth met with John Kiesel, president of Division 7 Roofing in Columbus, Ohio, to celebrate the incredible people in this industry and hear John’s unfiltered story as a contractor. 

You’re a natural 

John’s journey into the roofing industry began during his childhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With his father and uncle as role models in commercial roofing, John was introduced to the craft at an early age. Though he didn’t excel in sports or academics, he discovered a knack for building things and working with tools. 

He fondly recalls a defining moment when he was nine or ten years old. While helping his dad and uncle build a shed at his grandparents’ house, he wasn’t ready for a break when they were. He climbed up, hammer in hand, and began installing shingles, instinctively laying them correctly, aligning the bond lines perfectly. His dad and uncle were shocked and amazed. He didn’t have an answer for how he knew, but said, “I just knew that I could see roofs, I could see the patterns in the roofs, and I just went to town doing it and completed this roof. And their response was like a teacher or a coach telling another child or another person participating, you're a natural or you're gifted.” This memory became the foundation of John’s passion for roofing. 

Rising through the ranks 

After high school, John began working with his dad and uncle in the roofing industry and his journey eventually took him to Columbus, Ohio, where he joined Division 7 Roofing. He quickly proved his skill and dedication, culminating in the opportunity to lead a 36-story high-rise project. When approached with this job, John looked at the owner of the company, George Reiss, responding, “’Okay, I've never roofed a high-rise before.’ And [George] said, ‘Well, we've never roofed a high rise either, but you're the guy for the job. So, let's do this thing. Here's the estimate, here's the scope of work, it's yours. Figure it out. Just do whatever you need to do. We haven't figured it out, but we got the money to do the job so do whatever you need to do.’” 

John’s commitment was unwavering. “I literally spent most weekdays sleeping in the elevator control room between the night and day shifts,” he recalled. The project’s success solidified John’s passion as a problem solver, and he began his journey training other foremen and evolving the company’s operations. 

Celebrating dedication and skill 

John’s story exemplifies the passion, resilience and ingenuity that define the people within the roofing industry. His journey from a curious child hammering shingles to the president of a thriving company is a testament to the power of hard work and mentorship. 

Read the transcript, Listen to the podcast or Watch the webinar for more great insights into the challenges and triumphs of roofing.