Richard Carroll on His Experience in the Industry and What’s Changed

By Adam Cabrera. 

From an apprentice to eventually owning his own business, Richard shares what he’s learned over the years in the industry.  

Richard Carroll, a seasoned professional in the roofing industry, is the co-founder of Carroll Consulting Group. In a recent Roofing Road Trips episode, host Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down with Richard who spoke about his long career in the roofing industry from apprentice to industry consultant, and his observations on the changes and trends in the roofing sector. 

Richard got his start in roofing out of necessity, needing extra money while studying mechanical engineering at the University of South Florida. From an apprentice to a foreman, Richard quickly became the in-house expert in asbestos removal and eventually he started his own business. 

After selling his roofing business, Richard stepped away from roofing to work for the investment group that bought his business. This allowed him to become involved with a diverse set of industries and provided him with invaluable knowledge of different sectors of business. However, Richard returned to the roofing industry after eight years, owning two roofing companies before retiring and starting Carroll Consulting Group.  

Reflecting on his time in the industry, Richard noted significant technological advancements, such as the adoption of flameless technology and modular construction. However, he believes the industry has been slow to adopt technological improvements overall. "There wasn't a lot of change and then we had the pandemic, and many of the companies that I'm working with now, have a dedicated individual that's responsible for technology," Richard says. 

Richard’s focus now is giving back to an industry that has given him so much, using his expertise to help smaller contractors navigate their own paths in this evolving landscape. 

“I feel like I have a lot of knowledge in the industry, and I have a lot to give. I just didn't want to go sit at the lake and fish. I wanted to stay involved. And the other reason was I felt that by giving back to the Roofing Association, that was my way of saying thank you,” Richard says 

Listen to the Roofing Road Trips episode to hear more about Richard’s experience and what Carrol Consulting Group is doing to give back to the industry.