Young Guns October 2026 Feature
From the Bottom Up
Young Gun Guido Zirio

Editor’s Note: The following is an excerpt of the interview and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Guido Zirio got his start in the roofing industry more than 15 years ago, working summers with his stepdad as a roofing laborer. What started as a summer job eventually turned into a career – with a lot of hard work. Working in the field from the ground up gave Zirio an appreciation for what it takes to successfully complete a roofing project. He said that he learned early on that roofing is hard work, but it can also be very rewarding.
Roofing taught him the importance of having a strong work ethic, paying attention to details, and being willing to learn from the people around you. Over the years, he’s continued to take on more responsibilities and grown within the company and industry. Zirio is now the vice president of field operations at Bowhead Roofing in Florida.
Guido Zirio, 34
Vice President of Field Operations, Bowhead Roofing
LOCATION: Miami and Orlando, FL
WEBSITE: bowheadroofing.com
FAMILY STATUS: Engaged
What are you doing when you’re not thinking about roofing?
Enjoying time with family & friends / Boating / Fishing
“The experience I gained starting in the field continues to influence how I lead and approach our operations today,” he said.
Why do you believe Bowhead Roofing is successful?
GZ: Our people. We have a strong team of individuals who take pride in what they do and understand that our success depends on everyone working together.
Quality and accountability. We don’t want to simply complete a project; we want to complete it the right way. Holding ourselves accountable to a high standard has been a major part of our growth.
Communication. Roofing projects involve a lot of moving parts, so communication between the field, management, customers, and other project stakeholders is extremely important.
Adaptability. The roofing industry is constantly changing. Being willing to adapt, learn, and improve has allowed us to continue growing and competing in a challenging market.
Our commitment to our customers. We understand that our reputation is built one project at a time. Taking care of our customers and standing behind our work has always been important to us.
How are you addressing some of the big challenges in your market?
GZ: One of the biggest challenges in the South Florida roofing market is the combination of high demand, labor challenges, material availability, rising costs, and increasingly high expectations from customers and building owners.T here is also a lot of competition in the market, so companies have to find ways to differentiate themselves beyond simply offering the lowest price. At Bowhead Roofing, we address these challenges by focusing on our people, our processes, and our ability to execute. We continue to invest in our field teams, improve communication between the office and the field, and look for ways to make our operations more efficient. At the end of the day, we want to be known for doing quality work, keeping our commitments, and being a contractor our customers can trust.
Do you see your age as an advantage or disadvantage in this business?
GZ: I see my age as more of an advantage than a disadvantage. Being in my 30s gives me a lot of energy and motivation, but I’ve also had enough experience in the industry to understand that there is always more to learn. The roofing industry is changing quickly, particularly when it comes to technology, communication, and the way companies manage their operations. I think being part of a younger generation in the industry allows me to look at some of these changes with an open mind while still respecting the experience and knowledge of the people who have been roofing much longer than I have. One of the biggest advantages has been the opportunity to work alongside people with decades of experience while bringing a different perspective to the table. I’ve learned that age isn’t nearly as important as your willingness to learn, work hard, take responsibility, and earn the respect of the people around you.
What area of the roofing business are you most passionate about?
GZ: Operations and field execution are what I’m most passionate about. I enjoy taking a project from the planning stage and seeing it come together in the field. There are always challenges that come up on a roofing project, and I enjoy finding solutions and making sure our team has what they need to succeed. I’m also passionate about developing people. A strong operation starts with a strong team, and I enjoy helping people improve their skills, take on more responsibility, and grow within the company.For me, there’s a lot of satisfaction in seeing a project completed safely, efficiently, and to a high standard
What are your future plans?
GZ: The goal is to continue growing Bowhead Roofing while maintaining the quality, culture, and reputation that got us here in the first place. Personally, I want to continue developing as a leader and help build an even stronger field operation. I’d like to continue improving our processes, developing our people, utilizing technology where it can make us better, and creating opportunities for the next generation of roofing professionals. I think the biggest opportunity is not just growing the company, but building an organization that can continue to grow successfully for many years to come.
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