RAISING THE ROOF
MEETING JEFF JOHNSTON
By Carly Fuller / Photos courtesy of The Roofing Company

Transformative and tough are two adjectives that come to mind when Johnston reflects on the past three decades.

Jeff Johnston, president and principal owner of The Roofing Company, is no stranger to adversity. He has arrived at the mountain’s summit many times before, facing the difficult decision of whether to take the easy terrain down or ski the run less traveled. Like many successful voyagers and entrepreneurs, Johnston is not easily intimidated, and consequently, time after time, he chooses the road less-traveled. His propensity for uncharted exploration has developed into a full fledged dynasty, taking Grand County’s The Roofing Company from a seasonal side business to an enduring empire. Johnston’s journey from ski bum to CEO, from community leader and roofer to savvy business executive, is nothing short of epic.

A Colorado native, Johnston – like many locals, moved to Grand County 36 years ago to live the life of a ski bum. He was familiar with the area, as his family homesteaded in Grand Lake, and fond memories of summers past carried a heavy nostalgic draw. Dedicated to perfecting his craft, his schedule was dictated by the snow.

Johnston became a familiar figure on the mountain – a full-time skier. Luckily, early on, roofing work was limited to the dryer, warmer months – in the mountains, that period of time, for roofing, perfectly complemented the ski season. With roughly six months on the slopes, the remainder of his year was spent on a roof. When the snow began to fall, the roofing work would slide and the skis came out of storage.

Not that it was all fun and games. Johnston’s enthusiasm for skiing and proclivity for service easily translated to winter employment on the hill as a fulltime member of the Winter Park Ski Patrol. The Ski Patrol provided a solid network of skiing buddies and evenings of foolish fun for the young Johnston as well as welcome winter income in the roofing off-season. The community pride and sense of responsibility that Johnston displays today were first planted during his tenure with the Winter Park Ski Patrol, a role that he relished and continued on a part-time basis until 1990.

Shortly after joining the Ski Patrol, his leadership skills were acknowledged by the Town of Fraser and Johnston found himself adding another dimension to his skill set – civil servant. From 1976 until 2000 Johnston consistently served in one capacity or another, holding the positions of Town Trustee, Planning and Zoning Committee Member, Fraser Sanitation District Board Member, Housing Authority Board Member, and ultimately Mayor. It was from these roles that the leader in Johnston developed a distinct intuition for the power of intent, the business of politics and the politics ofbusiness. He is in many ways a walking contradiction. A soft sergeant, and a diligent daydreamer. A fierce competitor, he chooses his words carefully.

From his vantage point, Johnston has witnessed unbelievable change. Yet he feels no conflict towards the tremendous growth he has witnessed and even mobilized in the mountains of Colorado. He can appreciate why people are moving here; after all, he moved here for the same reasons – he mountains, the snow, the escape.

Transformative and tough are two adjectives that come to mind when Johnston reflects on the past three decades. Lacking a formal college education, he cites “the school of hard knocks” as awarding him a Ph.D. in every aspect of roofing. The 1980s were particularly discouraging, as the bottom fell out of the real estate market. The FDIC was seizing banks and calling loans; three quarters of Grand County left in search of greener pastures.

Johnston stayed behind running The Roofing Company with a skeletal crew. They packed up their tools and materials and drove until they found work. Often times this would translate to projects far from the valley they called home. The sixteen-hour days on construction sites took a toll on his family. He constantly considered quitting, packing up, and moving to California. Ultimately, it was the Summit County market that pulled the business through those tumultuous trenches and into the blooming 1990s.

Look at many Colorado mountain resort skylines and you are likely viewing The Roofing Company’s calling card. TRC is built around educating the customer about their roof – the system as a whole – and what it means to be a homeowner in the mountains. Their education methods even include DVDs explaining the cause of ice dams and the importance of monthly roof maintenance to keep up with hefty snowfall.

Equally as impressive is the company’s capacity to deliver quality no matter the scale of the project. From countryside custom homes to massive new commercial complexes such as Arrabelle in Vail, Marabou Ranch in Steamboat Springs and Base Camp in Winter Park, The Roofing Company has truly become the leader in mountain roofing.

Johnston is quick to credit the team approach for the business’ widespread success. He understands the value of empowering employees and has high praise for the staff and crews that diligently execute the company’s mission: 100% Satisfaction.

Though he no longer personally knows all of his employees, as the number now exceeds 250, or touts a “tool belt all day, every day,” he is no stranger to their projects.He maintains a great understanding of all company systems and spends a large part of each morning reviewing mandatory Project Manager Reports from the field. He resists the temptation to micromanage and recognizes the importance for infrastructure within the company, even going so far as to hire outside consultants to help establish improved processes from the inside out.

These days Johnston’s business commitments dominate his day, but he hasn’t lost the perspective that emerged from his various positions within the community. His main motivator is to be better at the end of the year than they were at the beginning. With a leader like Johnston, there’s no doubt they’ll get there.


READ MORE STORIES FROM THIS ISSUE:
• Green Solutions: Building and Renovating with a Conscience
• The Past Meets the Future: An Extraordinary Grand Lake Home
• Art & Design: Art & Technology, Local Artists, Woodworking, and Reclaimed Furntiture
• Technology in the Kitchen: Smart Appliances Making Your Life Easier
• Be In the Know about H2O: Hydration Needs
• 2008 Feature Articles