Chad Westbrook has been in the roofing industry for 15 years, growing every step of the way and joining Castro Roofing of Texas in 2020 before becoming the chief revenue officer in 2021. The company currently has 58 employees and has grown its revenue to $20 million.

Working in a company that encourages its workers to be humble, stay hungry and always hustle, Westbrook embraces generational differences to sharpen his leadership skills and determine the best way for Castro Roofing to succeed.

RC: What types of work does your company do?  

CW: Castro Roofing focuses on commercial roofing systems, with a heavy emphasis on roofing, sheet metal, and waterproofing. We are expanding into other exterior projects but not stepping too far as we want to execute on the highest level possible.

RC: How long have you been in the roofing industry, and how did you get your start?

CW: I have been in the roofing industry for 15 years. I started calling building owners to see if they had roof leaks through FCS Control, which partnered with a Midwest roofing company, which assisted in building technology for field and office use. As the company grew, so did my career, and I took on the role of hiring people to contact customers.

I worked for FCS Control until 2012 and moved on to an Oklahoma-based roofing company. They were interested in adding a service division to the company to fulfill the needs of their long-term business plan. One of my milestones was growing six service divisions over 24 months. This milestone added up to $3.5 million in revenue for the company. From there, I accepted a role with an established national roofing company, Holland Roofing, which is based out of Cincinnati.

RC: How long has your company been in business, and what is the history behind it?  

CW: Castro Roofing has been since 1989 and always in the Dallas metro. It starts like any American dream. El Capitan (Angel Rodriguez, Sr.) started the business in the garage. Years went by of growth, and the family grew with it. His three sons, Juan, Rudy, and AJ, stepped into the business and transformed it from a great residential roofing company to the goal-centered around "World Class Roofing" on the commercial side of the business.

RC: What are the big challenges in your particular market, and how is the company addressing them?   

CW: Retention. A recent economic downturn played a big factor in sales, which directly affects how many people we can hire. Taking this into consideration, we focus on providing materials and work for the current and upcoming projects. The uncertainty of the construction industry has pulled us together as a team as we face these challenges together.

With the delays and shifts in the industry, we struggle with hiring new talent as quickly as we might have done in past years. But with the leadership in place, we plan on overcoming these challenges and adapting to the changing times while retaining our most valuable assets: our people.

RC: Do you see a generational difference within your own company? If so, what are the biggest benefits and biggest challenges that it poses?   

CW: We are absolutely an "intergenerational" company. Our employees have the unique experience of working for us because we hire and retain employees of different age brackets. The younger generation brings a new perspective to the table, while the seasoned employees bring experience and a wealth of knowledge of the industry. Each employee looks at a project or a situation differently depending on their knowledge.

The upcoming generations rely more heavily on technology, while the more experienced employees rely on hard work and sweat. As we get deeper into the technology and photo world, we find that both work harmoniously together. It's always a challenge, but a good challenge helps everyone grow.

RC: Do you see your age as an advantage or disadvantage in this business?   

CW: There have been many times I was looked down upon because of my age or background. Maybe a background that was different from someone else I was working with. Just like any situation, you must stand your ground and earn respect among the group that you are working with. I strive to give everyone in the group respect and courtesy, which is revered in any age bracket. As I have made my impact in the industry, I focus less on who looks down on me and more on becoming the person and employee I was destined to be.

RC: What area of your roofing business are you the most passionate about?

CW: I always remember and have a great passion for knowing it wasn't just about me, but it was about the group of people that helped me develop my vision. The most rewarding part of my job is seeing employees grow in their careers. It makes me take a step back and admire my work as a leader.

RC:  What are your future plans for the business?   

CW: You will see me continue to develop as the CRO for Castro Roofing of Texas in my current role. I still have a lot to learn to become an industry leader, and that journey has no end date. Expect to see a high-performing team working beside me to deliver one of the best experiences our customers will ever have.