Keep Rising! Martin Rhodes’ Journey in Roofing

By Cayden Wemple. 

Over the last two years, Martin Rhodes has gone from janitor to field resource representative and now on to project administrator thanks to Weatherproofing Technologies, Inc (WTI) R.I.S.E. Program. 

In March of 2020, Martin Rhodes was working in Tremco CPG’s office building. Within his first week of working there, he noticed a poster for the company’s R.I.S.E. program, and he saw an opportunity to make a leap forward with his career. “I signed up, because I knew I didn't want to be a janitor going forward. Obviously, I needed a job in the moment, but I didn't want to continue being a janitor for the long term,” Martin explained. 

The program required Martin to work for Tremco for a year before being admitted, but he saw it through. “I had to work for Tremco at least a year before I was eligible. So I stuck it out, did my year as a janitor and I got in the program,” Martin said. “And then last summer they moved me up from custodian to working in WTI along with being in the R.I.S.E. program.” 

While in the program and attending classes Martin is working for the company doing visual roof audits to ensure that the highest quality of work is being performed by the technicians. They send in their photographs and Martin reviews to make sure everything meets the company standards.  

As for the future, Martin is in school to be a construction manager, but he wants to keep his prospects open. “I don't want to just box myself and say, ‘I'm going to be a construction manager,’ but that is what I'm in school for,” Martin said, “I'm willing to learn anything within a company, so I wouldn't say I have a goal. I just kind of wanted to get some education behind me, so I can expand my horizons and have more options because I honestly can see myself being in sales as well. But for right now, my short-term goal is to finish school and become a construction manager, and then see how that works and see if I like it, and then go from there.” 

Martin is certainly grateful for the RISE program and the opportunities it has offered. “It's free education, it's online, but you can work at your own pace,” Martin explained, “So yes, I would recommend it for sure.” 

WTI is an affiliate of Tremco Roofing and Building Maintenance, a leading manufacturer of quality roofing systems across North America.