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.”