After 31 years of building his career at Snyder Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. (SRSM), in Portland, Ore., Ron Newton, CEO, retired on Jan. 27.  

Newton, age 54, joined Snyder in 1986, after spending a year installing roofs for Mid-Columbia Roofing. He joined the Snyder team as an Apprentice Roofer, achieving Foreman and Journeyman status by 1988. After leading crews for two years, he was promoted to Superintendent in 1989. In this role, he coordinated and dispatched field crews while continuing to build his knowledge base, often serving as an understudy to his mentor, Butch Johnston, who was vice president and estimator for Snyder Roofing of Oregon LLC. Seven years later, in 1996, Johnston would hire Newton as an Estimator. Newton continued to learn from his mentor until July 2003, when Johnston’s sudden passing forced the company to reorganize. At this time, Newton took over as vice president/chief operating officer. In 2007, the company was again restructured, with the exit of then President, Scott King. Newton filled this role until 2010, when he took over as CEO for SRSM, after the passing of owner, Jim King. 

As CEO, Newton took the lessons learned from his field experience and applied them to planning, problem solving and communication throughout SRSM. Under his direction, four new subsidiaries were created and launched forming the Snyder Roofing “family of companies”. These included ILD Northwest, Northwest Solar Solutions, SR Building Services and King Sheet Metal. With the exception of Northwest Solar Solutions, each of these subsidiaries are still in operation. 

Also during his tenure, Newton served as a Trustee of the James F. King Revocable Living Trust, chairman of the board for Snyder Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc., a trustee of the Roofers Local 49 Welfare Fund, director of Roofers Insurance Ltd., and was a member of the Union Labor Management Committee. Newton will continue to serve as a trustee of the James F. King Revocable Living Trust, and as chairman of the board, for Snyder Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc., for the remainder of this fiscal year. 

“The decision to retire did not come easy,” said Newton. “My time at Snyder will be a part of me forever, and I will wake up every morning being thankful for the opportunity to lead the company.” 

Replacing Newton, as CEO, is Dan Koffel, former president of Snyder Roofing of Oregon LLC. Koffel plans to continue Newton’s mission of bringing leaders up through the organization, while putting a new emphasis on corporate culture. 

For more information, visit www.srsm-inc.com.