WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION
TAMARA CHASE:
Thinking beyond the
roofing business to
the overall homeowner
experience and creating
opportunities for women
Florida Construction News special feature
John and Tamara Chase got into
the roofing industry quite by coinci-
dence. Today, Tamara is CEO of a spe-
cialized roofing company focused on
delivering a quality roof and an opti-
mal homeowner experience.
Tamara says the duo initially
started as a general contractor, or at
least, John did. “He started as a
handyman, learning various aspects
of the business, growing his skill and
eventually, brought me into the busi-
ness based on my accounting back-
ground to handle the books.”
When the team had the opportu-
nity to have their own roof done,
Tamara says she realized there were
many things that could and should be
done differently.
“That was around the time that
there were a lot of hurricanes in the
16 – FALL 2017 — Florida Construction News
area and the governor issued an exec-
utive order that GCs (general contrac-
tors) could do roofs to help move the
recovery along. We started doing
more roofing projects, and improved
the process based on what we had ex-
perienced and have never gone back.”
As the company grew, Tamara took
on a greater role within the company,
in time taking over the full operations
side of the business. Today the com-
pany provides reroofing and repair
services with a focus on delivering
above and beyond what is required to
ensure future storm protection. It has
a staff of more than 45 and is on tar-
get to bring in $6 million in revenue
this year.
Tamara says her focus, and what
she imparts to her team, is honesty
and integrity in dealings and ensuring
both quality work and a quality experi-
ence. “I speak with the teams daily to
remind them they will be dealing with
a family on the other side to be sure
our clean-up plan is in place, and that
they know of any particular issues. We
use high quality materials and ensure
every job is done right and to the
client’s expectations.”
This attention to detail, care for the
homeowner, and the aesthetic in-
volved in ensuring proper clean up
she says are the woman’s touch she
brings to the job. “Men tend to be
more function oriented, more get in
and get the job done. That’s important
too but I understand the family that is
often on the other side and that it’s
important to factor them in as well.”
Despite her experience and knowl-
edge of the industry, and her title,
people still often assume John is in
charge. She says she finds it is often
women who make and can’t let go of
that assumption. “Men may initially
challenge the idea but then they tend
to accept it and move on. Women
seem to find it harder.”
WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION
Tamara also applies her human ap-
proach and woman’s touch to working
with staff. She says she regularly
plans staff appreciation events and
ensures that her company is less im-
pacted than others in this high
turnover industry and in the face of
growing labor shortages. “When I am
hiring I look for character above all. I
can teach the skills, can train some-
one and treat them well, but if they
don’t have the character I am looking
for, that will be for nothing.”
She says she has hired many staff
in their early 20s, no experience,
brought them along, promoted from
within, and now some of those long-
term employees are raising families,
succeeding in careers and are key
components of the company’s cul-
ture. While the industry is still male-
dominated, she says there is potential
for women who are prepared to work
hard, who would prefer to be out-
doors, and who are up to a challenge.
“There are a lot of women I meet who
are the back-bone of the companies
they are with in many ways. They may
not have the title but they have the re-
sponsibility. The same could equally
be true for a woman as part of a roof-
ing crew.”
Part of her own success within the
industry she credits to coaches she
has had who advised her to train oth-
ers so the company does not rely
solely on her. “I learned over time that
I may not be able to find any one per-
son to do exactly what I do but if I can
train multiple people to do 80 percent
of my job, then I have much more
than 100 percent of me.”
Beyond the work, Tamara and John
believe in giving back to the commu-
nity. Cancer is a cause that is near and
dear to everyone in the company. Last
year the company signed up 28 riders,
many of them staff, who trained and
competed as part of the Miami Dol-
phins’ Dolphins Cancer Challenge.
The 28-member team raised $20,000
and, with the next event set for Febru-
ary, have already signed up 28 to take
part again. “Giving back, being part of
something bigger, is also part of the
culture I try to ensure we follow.”
Tamara is also working with a
group to form a South Florida chapter
of the National Women in Roofing
(NWIR). She is also founder of a teen
company called
empowerment Emerge! that connects teenaged girls
with women in business for mentor-
ship. “Our mission is focused on in-
spiring teens to make a positive global
impact, encouraging them to dream
big and showing them how to make
their ambitions reality.”
For more information about Emerge!
visit, emerge-movement.com.
South Florida’s Leading Shingle Roofer
& The Best Shingle Roof Guarantee in the Industry!
Proud to be a Top 10 Women
of Florida’s Roofing Industry!
Tamara Chase, President
954.680.8588 • ChaseRoofing.com
Supporting Teen Girls
www.Emerge-Movement.com Together We Are Strong
Florida Construction News — FALL 2017 – 17