Celebrating Hispanic heritage: The roofing industry's diverse future

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Hispanic leaders share their journeys, mentorship and the importance of inclusivity in shaping the future of roofing. 

This episode of Coffee Conversations provided an enlightening exploration of the profound impact Hispanic professionals have on the roofing industry. Hosted by Megan Ellsworth and sponsored by Johns Manville, the discussion featured an esteemed panel of Hispanic leaders who shared their personal stories and reflections in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. The conversation offered an inspiring view of how Hispanic culture has influenced the roofing industry and its critical role in shaping its future. 

The panelists, including roofing professionals with diverse backgrounds, covered the industry's transformation, with many of them coming from families deeply rooted in roofing. Eric Gonzalez, a third-generation roofer, explained, “My grandpa came into the U.S. from Mexico in the 1990s and started in roofing and so it went down into the family… As I was growing up, I was a person that liked the business, entrepreneurship in general and I was like, well hey, you know, the family business is already roofing labor crews, how about I get in there and I learn everything they’ve learned.” This generational connection reflects a deep cultural tie and highlights the significant presence of Hispanic workers in the roofing labor force. 

There is also an upward trend of Latinos moving into positions of influence, including management and ownership. Minnie Robles, a territory representative for Johns Manville, shared, “I think as the younger generation is coming up in our industry, I think we’re making a name for ourselves and paving the way for ourselves." This progression, she said, is fueled by perseverance and the dedication inherent in Hispanic culture. 

Many noted that mentorship has been crucial to their knowledge and success in the industry. Eric stressed its importance, saying, “A mentor really can give you everything they’ve learned throughout all the years... being able to take advantage of that, that’s what helps you advance much faster.” Minnie added, “I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t have great mentors... people that looked out for me or people that said, ‘Hey, you know what, you’re doing it this way, try it this way.’” 

Demonstrating the value of embracing Latino heritage and active community involvement, the discussion covered how companies can foster inclusivity by providing Spanish-language materials and celebrating cultural diversity. As Amparo Sancen, CEO and founder of Latinos En Roofing pointed out, “We are Latinos and we take advantage of being Latinos and know the labor side and we know how hard we work.” Tupac De La Cruz, founder of Roofing Solutions, who has worked in the industry for over 20 years, stated the importance of getting involved in roofing organizations: “Get involved... you never know who you're going to be sitting right next to and that person can open a huge world of options for you." 

Listen to the Podcast or Watch the Webinar to learn more about the experiences of Hispanic professionals in the roofing industry!