Roofer profile: Ryan Lephart, Great Roofing and Restoration

By DaVinci Roofscapes.

Meet Ryan Lephart, vice president of key accounts for Great Roofing and Restoration, and the recent winner of the DaVinci Masterpiece Contractor 2024 Project of the Year Award.

Located out of Columbus, Ohio, Great Roofing and Restoration has been selling DaVinci products since 2009. Annually, the company accounts for at least 25% of the DaVinci installs in the state of Ohio, Ryan Lephart, an avid fan of composite roofing, thrives on unique roofing challenges… the bigger the better.

As he tackled Bob Jackson’s roof, he knew, in the back of his mind, that this was an award-winning project in the making.

Overview: 2024 Project of the Year

When winds associated with a nearby tornado severely damaged the estate of Bob Jackson, it was time for a new roof. The homeowner turned to Great Roofing and Restoration for assistance in updating the look of his castle-like property. Bob had previously had synthetic Spanish tiles on his roof. For his next roof he wanted something with more durability and a different look.

“When the Great Roofing team showed me the DaVinci Multi-Width Slate product I was impressed by the appearance and durability,” says Bob. “This DaVinci product has everything going for it. A big deciding factor is the appealing Lifetime Limited Material Warranty. This means I only have to do this project once. It’s a smart investment.”

Ryan was ready to give the expansive property the DaVinci roof he felt the home deserved. “The DaVinci product always adds character to a project,” says Ryan. “For Bob’s home, because we were able to keep the copper turret and gutters that were not damaged during the storm, the integrity of the roof is incredible.”

The finished roof, in a Smokey Gray color, creates a dramatic statement on the Ohio waterfront home. So dramatic, that it was easily declared a 2024 DaVinci Masterpiece Contractor Project of the Year Winner.

Insights from a winning roofer

Q: How did you get started in the roofing business?
While at Ohio State a former member of my fraternity recruited me into a sales position for a local roofing company to help out with sales due to the amount of damage caused by Hurricane Ike. At the time I was working at GNC at the local mall. I had no idea when I was watching the roof being ripped off the mall by the storm that I'd soon be doing the job of assisting in getting those roofs put back on!

Q: What makes your company recommend DaVinci products over competitive composite products?
We recommend DaVinci for a couple reasons. One is the variety of products, profiles and colors, all of which we think are the most natural looking in the industry when it comes to synthetic products. The other main reason is the support DaVinci offers as a company. Our local reps are very helpful, and the inside staff is great. When we need more samples, technical questions or just a quick reassurance phone call to a potential customers, the DaVinci staff makes it happen!

Q: How have DaVinci products helped increase sales for your company?
Being able to showcase some of these products and projects to customers both wanting DaVinci, or just wanting a standard asphalt shingle, allows us to show off the quality workmanship our crews can perform. It is always nice to be able to talk to customers needing any product about our ability to install a high-end product like DaVinci.

Q: When selling DaVinci products to a new customer, what are the features and benefits that customers react best to?
The number one feature is the aesthetic look of the products. Many customers are definitely interested in, and focus on performance, but in reality we're talking about how their home is going to look when we're finished. DaVinci has the most natural look, so it's always the biggest part of the conversation. It's a huge investment, and I want to make sure they love the curb appeal when we're done!

Q: What made you think that this particular project would be a winning candidate for the DaVinci Masterpiece Contractor Project of the Year Award?
This home has had a great owner, who has done a fantastic job of making the property what it is. A Project of the Year is not just the best DaVinci roof, but the best property, and that starts with having an owner that has pride in their home. Bob has an amazing property, and we were happy to enhance it with a beautiful DaVinci roof!

Q: What’s your dream roofing job?
I don't think I have a set job that I would love to do, but large scale DaVinci projects are the most fun, and the most unique installs. I would love to handle even more complex installations of this product, including more commercial and multi-family opportunities.

Q: Finally, if you absolutely had to change professions tomorrow, what do you think you’d do?
I'd likely go into a psychology field like sports psychology (what I originally wanted to do in college) or sales training/consulting for companies looking to better engage with the clients and salespeople.