Category: Employee Spotlights

We understand that a high-quality roof is only as good as the team behind it. That’s why we prioritize creating a team-oriented atmosphere where hard work is valued and support is extended beyond the job site. For almost 70 years, our company has been dedicated to fostering an employee-first work culture. 

Ricky Poteete is a shining example of this. He recently celebrated a remarkable 25 years at Maxwell Roofing,

Ricky’s Journey to Maxwell Roofing

Ricky grew up in Nashville as one of ten children. One of his brothers found his calling in the roofing industry, and it wasn’t long before Ricky followed suit and forged his own career path in commercial roofing.

“I really love being outside,” Ricky says, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “I think that’s the first thing that drew me into roofing work.”

Ricky began working with his brother at Burress Roofing—tearing off roofs, removing shingles, and clearing job sites. After spending some years at Burress, Ricky’s brother made the move to Maxwell Roofing in the late ’90s and convinced Ricky to join the team. 

Celebrating 25 Years: Roofs Raised, Memories Made 

Over the years, Ricky’s hands have played a part in shaping the Nashville skyline. He’s helped put the roof on iconic landmarks like the Davey Crockett Tower, the Thompson Hotel, and the Sheraton Hotel, leaving his mark on the city he calls home.

Reaching 25 years at Maxwell might seem like a monumental achievement, but for Ricky, it’s just another day. He stays humble, saying, “I’m glad I’ve made it 25 years at Maxwell. It’s a good company—the best I’ve worked for.” 

What truly stands out for Ricky is the memories and relationships forged during his career. Having worked with hundreds of different Maxwell employees, Ricky emphasizes the enduring culture of Maxwell, even as people have come and gone. “Maxwell is just like family. Everyone is kind and courteous. They’re all part of making it a special place to work.”

In an industry known for its challenges and high turnover, Ricky Poteete’s 25-year journey at Maxwell Roofing serves as a testament to his hard work, dedication, and commitment to teamwork. As Maxwell Roofing grows, we’re proud to celebrate employees like Ricky, who contribute to the memories and relationships that define Maxwell’s unique culture.

Born and raised in Hanover, Pennsylvania, Lee Cox spent his formative years enjoying music, video games, and skateboarding. In fact, his favorite place on Earth is Reid Menzer Skatepark in York, PA.

After graduating from high school, Lee wanted a change of scenery and new opportunities. He heard about the growing opportunities in Nashville and decided to make the move. In 2015, he embarked on his journey with Maxwell Roofing, joining our team as a Service Technician.  Several years later, he became a service foreman, and most recently was promoted to Service Estimator in 2023.

Lee’s Current Role

In his role as an estimator, Lee focuses on inspecting existing roof systems and providing repair solutions to help prolong the life of a roof system for our customers. A typical day could include investigating particularly trickly leaks to find out where they are located to providing a comprehensive scope of work to resolve the issue. Every day, Lee works hard to ensure that our roofing projects run smoothly and have accurate cost estimations. 

A Strong Team

Teamwork is at the heart of Lee’s role, and he thrives alongside his team members. His dedication to working cohesively with his colleagues not only enhances the overall work atmosphere but also consistently results in the achievement of set objectives and goals. Lee’s commitment to teamwork is a driving force that keeps projects on track and ensures that everyone’s contributions are valued and integrated into the final outcomes.

“Our team is fantastic! We have a talented and dedicated team that works collaboratively to achieve our goals,” Lee said.

Maxwell Roofing’s culture of collaboration and commitment is one of the things that stands out most for Lee. The commitment to influence each other for the better — personally and professionally — is something he appreciates. 

“I love working for Maxwell Roofing because the people are amazing and supportive,” Lee shared. “There are great opportunities for growth and development.”

On a Personal Note 

At home, Lee relishes quality time with his wife Beth, their dog Lizzy, and their cat Misfit. To stay true to his roots, he continues to seize any opportunity to ride his skateboard.

Lee is a valuable asset to the Maxwell Roofing team, and we are grateful for his dedication and hard work. If you’d like to join Lee and our Maxwell Roofing family, you can view our open positions on our career page. 

Anyone who has ever worked in an office role knows that office managers need a knack for organization, the ability to juggle multiple responsibilities, and the patience to work well with all types of personalities. Luckily, Britney Conway has all three of these traits in spades! Britney grew up in Arizona and Seattle as one of six siblings, so negotiation and organization are second nature for her. Her personality, kindness, and capability make her the ideal Administrative Coordinator for our team at Maxwell Roofing.

Britney joined our team earlier this year after returning to Tennessee from Florida. In Florida, she started her journey in the construction industry as an office manager for a residential roofing company, and she’s continued her work in a similar role for us. 

A Day in the Life of Maxwell Roofing’s Administrative Coordinator

Britney’s role as administrative coordinator role is unique for a variety of reasons. In many ways, she serves as part of the backbone of our operations. She interacts regularly with our internal team and serves as a welcoming presence to all the general contractors, vendors, potential employees, and customers we serve. 

Her wide range of responsibilities requires a vital combination of adaptability and professionalism. On any given day, Britney is responsible for supporting our team, managing bid opportunities, and keeping our systems updated. She also helps greet everyone who walks through our doors and has even used her talents to help us plan events. 

“Our entire office staff works together to make sure things run smoothly and that nothing falls through the cracks,” Britney said. “We have very open lines of communication, and everyone is always happy to help each other!” 

Why Britney Enjoys Working at Maxwell 

Maxwell Roofing’s reputation for being a trustworthy commercial roofing partner and prioritizing relationships with customers and employees initially intrigued Britney about working at the company.

“It was important to me to work for a good company that values their employees,” Britney said. “That is exactly what Maxwell Roofing does!”

After working in the roofing industry for numerous years, Britney recognizes that the team-oriented culture at Maxwell Roofing has made a difference in her day-to-day experience. 

“I appreciate the family culture and friendly atmosphere that Maxwell Roofing cultivates. Everyone is supportive and helpful. Even if it’s not in their job description, people try their best to help whenever possible.” 

Outside of Work

In her free time, Britney enjoys exploring new places around Nashville with her fiancé and hanging out with their two huskies, Ghost and Koda. She also enjoys hiking, traveling, and shopping. 

It’s rare to find someone who has grown up in the roofing and sheet metal business. Lucky for us, Shawn Killgore, Fabrication Shop Manager for Maxwell’s in-house sheet metal fabrication team at Formwell Industries, is one of those people.

Shawn spent most of his early childhood in Eufaula, AL, until he moved to West Memphis, AR, where his father and three uncles owned and operated Delta Roofing and Sheet Metal, which was established in 1950.

Growing Up in the Business

Shawn began working for his father when he was about 15 years old. His earliest memories are filled with carrying shingles up to the subcontractor roofers and picking up debris during the hot summers. As soon as he was old enough to drive, Shawn began working in the warehouse and fabrication shop after school.

“Some of my favorite memories from that season of life was being taught by my father, Gary, to shear and bend metal into quality pieces, using only outdated manual equipment,” Shawn recalled.

Once Shawn decided to work full-time for Delta Roofing, he began as a laborer and worked his way up to being Sheet Metal Foreman and then Project Manager. During this time, he learned so much about the ins and outs of roofing while running a fabrication shop and being responsible for the company’s safety protocols and quality control.

Joining the Team at Maxwell Roofing

While working at Delta Roofing, Shawn came to Nashville for a CERTA train-the-trainer course which was hosted by Maxwell.

“I remember seeing the framed pictures of completed jobs. The pride of the team in the completed work stood out to me,” Shawn shared. “That was a couple of years before I ever thought I’d be moving to Nashville, so Maxwell was the first roofing contractor I visited when I moved.”

After Shawn moved to Nashville, he joined the Maxwell Roofing team in January 2022. He was trained on various in-house tools and technology, including everything from Maxwell’s vintage machinery for custom hand fabrication to modern machines like the Flow Waterjet precision cutting table. As Fabrication Shop Manager, Shawn spends most of his days coordinating with various Maxwell Roofing superintendents to design, create, and deliver professional products tailored to each job’s needs.

What Makes Maxwell Different

While leaving the family business is always hard, Shawn is grateful for the opportunity to work at Maxwell. Although much of the sheet metal work Shawn does may never be seen after installation, he still approaches each project with diligence to deliver high-quality work.

“I love that good work doesn’t go unnoticed,” he described. “Our team deeply values communication, safety, respect, and attention to detail.” That attention to detail is certainly evident in the sheet metal products Shawn creates.

Outside of work, you can find Shawn cruising around in his hot rod, fishing, hunting, or hanging with his dog, Wrigley. Maxwell is incredibly grateful for the experience and dedication Shawn shows when he’s creating architectural and industrial sheet metal products that will last for years to come.

The career development and professional growth opportunities in the commercial roofing industry make it an appealing profession for anyone who’s willing to work hard and treat others with kindness and respect. It’s not uncommon to hear of someone who started as a field employee and worked his or her way up to a management role. That’s the story of Maxwell Roofing and Sheet Metal’s Construction Manager, Kasey Fanton.

Journey to Maxwell Roofing

Kasey grew up in Kendall, N.Y., a very small town on the southern edge of Lake Ontario. During high school, Kasey joined the commercial roofing industry, and he hasn’t looked back since. “I always tell people that roofing was a long summer job that has turned into a great career,” Kasey described.

Kasey initially started as a laborer for Upstate Roofing. Over the next 18 years, Kasey worked his way up to becoming a Senior Project Manager at the company. Kasey also gained valuable experience on the job and also pursued a 4-year executive training program through Leaderbuild Institute in Rochester, N.Y.

Joining the Maxwell Family

In 2022, Kasey and his family decided to move to Nashville. As he looked for jobs in the roofing industry, Kasey hoped to find a company that was family-oriented with a strong culture of safety, success, and teamwork.

Kasey joined the Maxwell Roofing team in October of 2022 as a Construction Manager. In his role, Kasey works with superintendents to serve clients in a variety of industries. Every day Kasey works hard to find solutions to the challenges of each commercial roofing project he manages.

What Stands Out About Maxwell Roofing

“One of the things I appreciate most about Maxwell Roofing is the culture,” Kasey explained. “I walked in here as ‘the new guy from New York’ and was welcomed with open arms. I feel that I have been a part of this team for a very long time.”

By approaching every situation with a team mentality, Kasey works alongside others at Maxwell Roofing to develop a plan for success that allows employees to stay safe and productive.

“If there is a problem or issue, we throw it on the table, dissect it, and come up with a solution,” he explained.

Outside of work, Kasey loves going to the gym, cooking, and spending time with his family and children. He also enjoys hiking and appreciates the many beautiful state parks that Tennessee has to offer.

One of the benefits of working in cities like Nashville and Huntsville is that both locations attract residents with a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal Superintendent Mikki Zimonjic is a prime example of that phenomenon. Mikki was born and raised in Serbia. Before working in the roofing industry, Mikki served in the Serbian Special Forces. From there, he began his commercial roofing career in Europe before moving to the United States.

Mikki’s Experience and Role at Maxwell Roofing

Mikki has worked in the commercial roofing industry for 35 years. He gained valuable experience installing commercial roofing systems in Germany. After moving to the United States, Mikki wanted to work at a company where he could advance his professional career. Once he found Maxwell Roofing, the rest was history.

Mikki recently celebrated his 20th year anniversary at Maxwell Roofing. In his role as Superintendent, Mikki manages multiple crews and projects of various sizes. He’s also played an important role in serving our clients in a variety of industries—from airport and commercial facilities to hospitals and museums.

Why Mikki Sticks With Maxwell Roofing

But it’s not the many projects he’s helped to complete that stand out most to Mikki when he thinks about his long career with Maxwell. When asked what he loves most about working at Maxwell Roofing, Mikki was quick to answer, “At Maxwell, you’re not a number. You’re family.”

Mikki has definitely added to that family-oriented feel at Maxwell in the way he leads others. “One thing I love is that we are ALL a team at Maxwell,” Mikki said. “We can count on each other to help in any and every situation.”

As he looks toward the future, Mikki hopes to finish out his career at Maxwell. He and his wife of 32 years have several children and pets that keep them busy. When he’s not working or spending time with family, Mikki enjoys fishing, shooting, and grilling.

Background:

A true Nashville native (which is rare these days in the bustling and growing city), David Maxwell lived in St. Louis, Missouri, and Austin, Texas for extended periods before moving back home to Music City shortly after the city’s notorious flood in 2010. David graduated from Saint Louis University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. After realizing that job options were limited in the psychology field without an advanced degree, he began working in restaurants to pay the bills. He quickly fell in love with the fast-paced action and customer service-oriented business. With a new found passion for the food service industry, he enrolled in culinary school, where he graduated with a culinary arts degree. Prior to David’s venture into the commercial roofing world, he put his culinary skills to work by serving as a cook and chef at various restaurants in both Austin and Nashville. “My tenure in the hospitality and service industry prepared me well for our service-forward and customer satisfaction-driven business model at Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc.,” explains David, who ended up leaving the restaurant and hospitality industry to adopt a more regular work schedule. “In thinking about my future and family prospects, I began to mull the possibilities of such a career change, and the family roofing business entered my mind, deliberately, for the first time in my life,” says David, who’s now entering his tenth year with the company.

Current Role:

As President of Maxwell Roofing, no single day looks the same for David. Serving alongside a dedicated and talented service team of around thirty people from office administration to management to service sales and estimation to technicians, David works most closely with Maxwell’s operations and account management team members. When it comes to client interaction, David says, “On any given day, I may work directly with building owners, contractors, property managers, building engineers, and facility maintenance employees.”

Why Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. Stands Out:

What does David appreciate most about the family business? He says, “I value that our company takes time to invest in people. We understand that, ultimately, we are in the relationship business. Our focus is to manage and exceed expectations with all employees and customers.” David is also appreciative of his team, saying “My team is very good at what they do, and they have responded well to some significant organizational changes throughout the past year. They have been positive, upbeat, and able to surpass our most recent annual goals amid noteworthy changes and departmental transformation.” David believes that the culture of the Maxwell team revolves around mutual trust and respect. With a relatively young department that has a diverse range of strengths, David knows he can count on team members to fulfill their roles and responsibilities. “We are experiencing some ambitious growth initiatives and adapting to the accompanying changes with professionalism and enthusiasm. I’m very proud of the fact that our team daily raises the bar and refuses to settle for mediocrity,” affirms David.

Personal:

Outside of work, you can find David doing just about anything outdoors, especially swimming, hiking, and running. A huge fan of the Nashville Predators and the Nashville Soccer Club, David always looks forward to attending their games and cheering on both teams. He’s the proud father of two very active young boys, Henry (age 8) and Gilbert (age 7) and enjoys every moment of quality time he gets to spend with them. A lover of the Appalachian Mountains, one of David’s bucket list items is to hike the Appalachian Trail from start to finish at some point. David also enjoys day trips to various local and state parks with his sons. They particularly love the Fall Creek Falls area, as well as the Smoky Mountains. As a former chef, David surprisingly doesn’t hit up Nashville’s growing culinary scene much anymore, however, he and his sons enjoy visiting some of Music City’s best lunch spots, such as Hattie B.’s.

Originally from Port Charlotte, Florida, Jack Ryan served as our Field Superintendent, bringing with him a total of 27+ years of experience in the roofing business. Jack joined Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal in 2009 after moving to Tennessee, and prior to joining Maxwell, he worked as a roofing subcontractor. We’re sharing Jack’s employee spotlight to express what made him such an essential part of the Maxwell Roofing team.

His Role

As a field superintendent, Jack worked alongside two other field superintendents and a sheet metal superintendent to ensure that jobs got scheduled and managed properly. Outside of office meetings, Jack made site visits to ensure that all of his ongoing projects were running smoothly. He met with clients to check that their needs were being met and then delivered status reports to project managers. 

“Field superintendents are the pointmen between the workers, managers, building owners, and contractors,” he said. “It can be stressful, but to see a project finished on budget is very rewarding.”

Why Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. Stood Out

Jack liked that his job gave him the opportunity to work on projects that challenged him. The best part of working at Maxwell, he said, is the company’s focus on delivering good work. “Maxwell has always made quality its priority,” he said. 

Personal

When Jack wasn’t overseeing a roofing project, he loved to spend time with his family. He also enjoyed riding motorcycles in his spare time. The mountains and the beach were some of his favorite places to visit.

We were thrilled to have Jack Ryan on our team and appreciate everything he did for the company. As we continue to mourn the loss of our dear colleague and friend, we wanted to share a few touching tributes from other members of the Maxwell Roofing family in his honor.

“Jack was a man of great integrity and quiet resolve. He is sorely missed by all of us. God speed, Jack.” – John Maxwell

“After hiring Jack and working beside him for 14 years he became not just a coworker but a friend… He took great pride in his craft and quality was always his number one priority.” – Todd White

“Thanks for many wonderful conversations we’ve had over the years. I will cherish the working relationship for years to come!” – Martha Walden

He will be greatly missed amongst all of us at Maxwell Roofing!

There are some people who were born to work in the roofing industry, and Todd White is one of those people. Todd was born in Oceanside, California, but he grew up in Tennessee with family members on both sides working in the roofing industry.

When it was time for Todd to pursue a career, he decided to pursue a four-year local sheet metal apprenticeship. Thirty-nine years later, Todd is still working in the industry and has been part of the Maxwell team for nearly half of his career.

A Skilled Craftsman

Todd joined the Maxwell team in 2005 and has progressed to become a Sheet Metal Supervisor in our in-house fabrication department. Todd and his team work hard each day to coordinate with superintendents and produce quality craftsmanship. Maintaining a high quality of work while balancing multiple projects is a challenge that Todd enjoys.

“Most of the commercial roofing is flat and can be difficult for customers to see from the ground,” Todd explained. “But the sheet metal department’s work is often on the edge or the face of the building. Therefore, we are held accountable for doing extremely good work.”

Why He Chose Maxwell Roofing and Sheet Metal

The work ethic and commitment to excellence that is shared across the entire Maxwell team is something Todd has come to appreciate over the years. “Maxwell is full of great people who work hard,” Todd said. “Our team takes pride in their craft, and the quality of the work shows. It is truly unmatched.”

Part of the Maxwell Family

Earlier this year, Maxwell had the chance to recognize and celebrate Todd’s service to his team and his customers by helping him achieve one of his personal goals. “I have always wanted to go back and visit Oceanside,” Todd said. ”Thanks to Maxwell, I can scratch that off my list of goals after they sent me on a trip this year.”

As a family-owned business, the Maxwell staff functions like an extended family. Maxwell is so grateful for Todd’s hard work and dedication over the years.

The popular phrase, “never say never,” is something John Maxwell understands well. With no intentions of ever working in the family business, Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc.’s former president proudly carried the torch of his family’s business legacy for 45 years. John’s father, Kenneth Maxwell, a decorated B-17 Bomber Squadron Commander, started the business as Maxwell-Webster Roofing in 1956 as a Nashville branch of the company he worked for in Knoxville. In 1963, Kenneth bought the Nashville branch from the former owners and established Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc.

Before graduating from Tennessee Technology University in 1976 with a degree in electrical engineering, John worked for the family business during his summer breaks in various roles from helping in the business office to assisting estimators and project managers. Upon graduation, John found himself diving in full-time at Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc.

From his beginnings as an estimator trainee, John never imagined how his career would evolve during the next six years. In 1982, John’s father fell off a roof, landing on his head and injuring him extensively. Though he was able to recover, Kenneth couldn’t continue managing the company, and John took on a general manager role to keep things moving along for Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. In 1986, John formally became the company president and majority owner.

“The 80s were tough for Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc.,” says John. “With the generational shift in leadership and a compilation of industry changes, we muddled through,” he added. As the commercial roofing industry had been dominated by the old “built-up” tar and gravel style roof, technology gave way to single-ply roofing during the 1980s. The 1990s were more stable for Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc., as single-ply roofing gained popularity, and the company was tuned into the growing trend. “The 90s were a decade of growth for Maxwell. We consolidated the company and entered a season of expansion,” affirms John.

In 1993, John hired his brother, Dan, to join the company from the automotive industry as parts/tools designer. Dan is still here today and is one of the owners of the company. In 1997, another stockholder, Keith Stiles, joined Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. with a reputable roofing background in Arkansas. “The three of us have been growing the business ever since,” says John. Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. has been operating in the same industry and geography, using evolving technologies and practices, to serve the same market for nearly 70 years.

“If you’re in an industry that values reliability, it’s hard to look past longevity,” says John. “When somebody has been doing the same thing we’ve been doing for as long as we’ve been doing it, it suggests we’re doing something right,” he affirms. In 2010, Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. started a small office in Huntsville, Alabama, where it continues to grow. John explains, “We wanted to bring the same stability and reliability we are committed to in Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky into the North Alabama region, and it has proven to be a good decision.”

In 2021, John transitioned out of his familiar role as President of Maxwell Roofing and passed the reins to his daughter, Kathleen who now serves as CEO, and son, David who is now President. “Seeing my children step in and serve in such leadership capacities truly shows our family commitment to the business and the commercial roofing industry,” says John.

Current Role:
John remains as Chairman of the Board to advise and support the family business while also serving as Technical Director for Maxwell Roofing. John is mentoring young talent by leading and managing the Estimating team members who are growing in their roles and learning about the industry. It’s a role that those who know John best call his “true passion.”

Why Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. Stands Out:
“If you look at what we’ve done rather than just what we say, you’ll see who we truly are,” says John. Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. has been on the same street in Nashville for nearly 70 years. They’ve been considered as a tier-one roofing company and are leaders in the market not by their acclamation but by their results.

Personal:
A true Middle Tennessean, John grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, attending the Saint Henry School and Father Ryan High School. Beyond the office, John is a genuine family man. John and his late wife, Betty Ann, were married for nearly 45 years. Together, John and Betty Ann have four children—David, Sarah, Rachel, and Kathleen—and 5 grandchildren. On occasion, you can find John golfing or exploring the outdoors at Percy Warner Park (which he’s been doing since age 5).

Background: 

Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Kathleen Maxwell says you can call her a “unicorn” in today’s melting pot of Nashville residents who have moved from various places to call Music City home. Bearing the Maxwell family name, Kathleen’s journey to working for the family business was not one she was planning. After graduating from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville with a major in English (Creative Writing concentration) and a minor in Marketing, Kathleen originally had plans to enter the event planning industry. However, after considering the field and being offered several unpaid internships, she realized she needed money, and she needed it quickly. 

She explains, “Many friends kept telling me I should work for Maxwell Roofing, and why not, right? So, after a conversation with my dad about what that would look like, I joined the Maxwell Roofing team as a marketing associate.” At the time, Kathleen had no intentions of making a career at Maxwell Roofing but rather using it as a stepping stone. Fast forward to ten years later, she has no other plans but to stay put and grow within her role. “I realized how severely underserved the roofing industry is, and I believe that our company is built on a great foundation and that we can consistently position ourselves as a value leader in the service and sales markets of the roofing industry,” affirms Kathleen. 

Since 2013, Kathleen worked in various roles of the company, from a marketing associate to the Vice President of Sales. Now that her father, John Maxwell, decided to take a step back from his role as President and CEO, Kathleen is excited to take on the role of CEO and continue her family’s legacy.

Current Role:

In her current role as CEO, an average day on the job for Kathleen can look very different day to day. She explains, “Our company is focused on strategic growth and pointing our team toward success. No day is the same, but that’s what makes it exciting.” 

While she still heads the sales team, Kathleen’s focus has shifted to an even more strategic vision. “I am looking at the business as a whole and how to grow organically, whereas in the past, I was focused on the department I was managing. As a company, we are focused on how to hire, train and retain the best people. I love coaching, motivating, and supporting our employees, and I enjoy learning from them as well.”

As the first female CEO of Maxwell Roofing, Kathleen is thrilled to take on the role and also feels that it holds an incredible amount of weight. “At my age, I understand that I need to be a sponge. There is so much for me to learn, and I am lucky to have my dad, amongst other colleagues, to advise and mentor me. Being in a male-dominant industry can be challenging and uncomfortable at times, but I love the opportunity to learn and grow as an executive. It is exciting to look forward 10, 20 years and imagine what Maxwell Roofing will be,” Kathleen adds. 

Why Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. Stands Out:

When asked what she loves about the company as a whole, Kathleen says, “Well, I’m slightly biased, considering my grandfather started the company, but I’d say first that, contrary to my initial naive belief, our roofing company requires the same passion, drive, and goals as any other business, and what we do truly matters.” Kathleen also loves that the individuals who make up the company believe this and stand behind it. 

Something else that stands about Maxwell Roofing to Kathleen is that her team is eager to learn and is open to change and growth. “My team is focused on crushing their goals—both business and personal—and I’m truly grateful for the positive attitudes they bear daily,” she adds. 

With a competitive, hungry, and smart team culture, Kathleen praises her team’s diverse skills in relationship management and roofing expertise, which she has observed to be continually growing with time. “Our goal is to make your roof last longer. By forming partnerships with our customers, we learn about their facilities, roofing needs, and future plans. If we truly understand our client’s needs, it positions us to better assist them in proactively managing their assets, rather than any last-minute major repairs,” says Kathleen.  

Personal:

Outside of work, you might find Kathleen riding her Peloton, hiking, cooking, exploring some of Nashville’s latest eateries, and hanging out on patios. She loves spending quality time with her husband, Clayton, and their Golden Pyrenees Mix, Otto.

The youngest of four siblings, Kathleen serves at Maxwell Roofing alongside her brother, David, who joined the Maxwell team about nine months prior and is the oldest sibling. Her father, John, lives in West Nashville, and the family enjoys having Sunday dinners to gather and catch up on life outside of work. Kathleen is also the proud aunt of four adorable nephews and two nieces, with an additional niece and nephew on the way in May 2022, who she says keep her on her toes.

Born in Ohio, Valerie Bibee moved with her family to a farm in Tennessee as a teenager and has considered herself a Southerner at heart ever since. She attended Draughon’s Junior College of Business where she received a degree in computer programming and then went on to Nashville State Community College for some accounting classes. Before joining Maxwell, Valerie had more than 20 years of accounting and administration experience in the Nashville area.

Current Role

Valerie was laid off from Tradebe Environmental Services in 2020 due to the pandemic and joined Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal several months later as a staff accountant. Valerie is part of Maxwell’s three-person finance team, working to keep the company’s books in order. She does everything from routine banking and office management to taxes and OSHA tracking. She works with Maxwell’s commercial roofing clients to make sure that billing runs smoothly throughout the course of a project.

Why Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. Stands Out

For Valerie, the best part of her job is the team she gets to work with. Because Maxwell is a small, family-owned business, everyone at the company works together as a team. She says each of the Maxwells are always accessible and ready to help with any problems that may arise.

“I love the people I work with,” she says. “They make me look forward to coming to work each day.”

Personal

At home, Valerie has one son, a dog, and three cats to keep her company. She likes reading, fishing, and cooking. She is also an amateur photographer. In her free time, she loves spending time at the lake with her family. Among her family, she’s well-known for telling her signature bad jokes. She never misses the chance to play Scrabble with her mother, who still beats her every single time.

A Mississippi native, Lisa Ann Parr grew up with five siblings. She holds a master’s degree from the University of Illinois and has an extensive background in working as an accountant in the construction industry. After relocating to Nashville in 2020, Lisa Ann came to Maxwell Roofing as a project accountant and has since moved up to be our Accounting Manager. We’re grateful that she chooses to work on our team! Here’s a little about Lisa Ann’s current role, what she loves about Maxwell Roofing, and what she enjoys in her personal life.

Current Role

As the Accounting Manager, Lisa Ann manages two team members—the Accounts Payable Manager and a Staff Accountant—while working closely with our company’s financials. She works directly with project managers, customers, and other employees. She and two others on the accounting team help manage billing for the company and work with customers to get their bills paid. The team also manages employees’ payroll and runs financial reports for management. 

Why Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. Stands Out

After moving to Nashville, Lisa Ann chose to work at Maxwell Roofing because she liked its family-business culture and wanted to continue working in the construction industry. After two and a half years with the company, Lisa Ann’s favorite thing about Maxwell is the team of dedicated employees she works with.

“I love how well everyone works together, from the top down,” she said. “The Maxwells and upper management aren’t afraid to get into the thick of the business to help things run smoothly.”

Personal

When she’s not at work, Lisa Ann likes to exercise, spend time outside, or play with her cat, Nala. She loves exploring her new city with friends and especially enjoys finding new Sunday brunch spots. She also loves traveling and hopes to visit as many countries as possible.

With nearly 40 years in the commercial roofing business, Michael Buckingham is one of Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal’s most experienced superintendents. Michael has been at Maxwell Roofing for over four years now, coming to Nashville from Pennsylvania. He describes the company as “the best company in the U.S.”

Current Role

As a superintendent, Michael manages crews on multiple projects at a time. He’s in charge of the day-to-day management that ensures construction jobs are completed on time, safely, and within budget. Michael works with team members in the field, multiple project managers, and clients to keep jobs running smoothly.

Why Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. Stands Out

Michael loves working at Maxwell Roofing because of the opportunities it has given him to accomplish more at work and grow as a superintendent. He also greatly admires the team of project managers that he works with.

“They are all highly skilled and care about safety and quality,” he said. “Everyone cares about the success of the project and the success of the company.”

Personal

When Michael isn’t working, he likes to go hunting and fishing. He also enjoys visiting the beach whenever he gets a chance. At home, Michael enjoys the company of his wife (married 29 years), family, and many pets. He has three dogs, ten cats, 11 chickens, and a duck.

An Illinois native, Stephen Marbach studied business management at the University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky and began working as an estimator and project manager in 2016. Stephen joined Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. in October of 2020 after relocating to Tennessee, and he works with both the service and construction teams. 

Current Role

Stephen is a Estimator/Project Manager for Maxwell Roofing, and he works daily with both general contractors and private building owners. Steven spends about 60 percent of his time in the office ordering materials, bidding projects, attending meetings, and tracking jobs to ensure they stay on budget. The other 40 percent of Stephen’s job involves site visits where he estimates service and re-roofs and interacts regularly with customers.

Why Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. Stands Out

Stephen’s favorite part of working at Maxwell Roofing is his team. “I love the team-oriented dynamic at Maxwell,” he affirms. In his role working alongside the service and construction teams, Stephen interacts with a collective group of 10 colleagues within the company to keep projects and timelines moving along efficiently. “We work together to solve problems and ensure customer satisfaction, and I really enjoy my team’s ability to efficiently solve problems as they arise,” Stephen says.

Personal

When Stephen isn’t in the office or on a job site, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Candice, and their dog, Mr. Troy. He likes to stay active by playing golf, tennis, or working out. When out and about in the Nashville area, Stephen likes to visit his favorite restaurants, Mojo’s Tacos and Five Daughters Bakery, but he hopes to travel more away from home in the near future. In fact, Stephen’s lifelong goal is to visit each continent at least once.

Born in Iowa but raised in North Carolina, Chris Vogl has worked in the roofing industry for the past 25 years. With over two decades of experience, Chris brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. team. Even more worthy, though, is the time Chris spent serving in the US military’s 82nd Airborne Division Artillery before eventually making his way to Maxwell Roofing three years ago. Chris was impressed with Maxwell’s reputable legacy within the commercial roofing industry, which led him to joining the team.

Current Role

As an Estimator/Project Manager, Chris works closely with general contractors and private clients who rely on Maxwell Roofing for their service, and he is responsible for reading project specs, performing take-offs, bidding projects, and attending meetings. Appreciative of the company’s collaborative spirit, Chris says, “We all have our role and correspond frequently to discuss the progress of the company and how we can all contribute our part for the common good.”  

Why Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. Stands Out

Among the other qualities that Chris admires most about Maxwell Roofing and his team, he says, “It would be honesty, freedom, and the ability to expand.” Even more, Chris is grateful for the camaraderie among his colleagues, and attributes being able to diversify the bidding capability as a uniquely special part of his work environment. 

Personal

Beyond his ongoing roofing projects, Chris can be found fishing and traveling when possible. A family man, Chris is married to Lynn, and they have a son named Ryan. Among his lifelong goals are to travel more—within the US and throughout the world. Chris’s favorite places, however, are right here in the deep South, where he swears that Mississippi and Alabama have the best food and vacation spots.

A native of Bramwell, West Virginia, Michael Cox has worked in the roofing industry for more than 30 years. With three decades of experience, he is an excellent fit for our team, and we’re lucky to have him as our Service Manager (and as a Service Superintendent and Foreman prior to that). Michael loves teamwork and communication, making him an asset to the Maxwell Roofing family and our customers.

Current Role

As our Service Manager, Michael inspects jobs in progress and maintains communication with the service technicians and management. He also closely monitors employee performance and safety procedures to ensure that every job is done correctly, efficiently, and safely. 

Michael genuinely enjoys working with his team. He appreciates their strong relationships and propensity for teamwork. “There are 16 people on our team. We all have a strong bond, and we all work together to make the service team strive for success,” said Michael.

Why Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. Stands Out

Michael came to Maxwell Roofing after moving from Pennsylvania to Tennessee. He found that he loves being part of our team because of the open and honest communication and support. “I think we all are excellent communicators and relate easily to others,” he said. Among the other qualities that Michael admires and enjoys about his team is their teamwork, respect, and understanding. “I’m grateful for the responsibility that everyone takes in their positions,” he adds. 

Maxwell Roofing thrives on communication and respect, upholding the integrity of work that our customers expect. Michael’s contributions to our values are just one more reason why we’re happy to have him with us.

Personal

When he’s not overseeing projects, Michael can be found working on his new hobby, painting. You’ll also catch him outside, camping and riding motorcycles. Michael and his wife of 18 years both live with their pet cat, Loretta.

Hailing from Michigan City, Indiana, Chelsey Hawkins attended Purdue University, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Prior to joining the Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. team, Chelsey worked in a variety of hospitality industries, including restaurants, hotels, theme parks, a casino, and even sports. These opportunities provided Chelsey with a wealth of knowledge for enhancing the guest experience, which has ultimately made a positive impact on the ways she interacts—externally and internally—with clients today.   

Current Role

Chelsey found Maxwell Roofing while planning a move from Chicago to Tennessee. Seeing an opening on the Maxwell team that fit her skillset, Chelsey moved forward with applying, and she officially joined the team in January of 2020. “[Maxwell Roofing] seemed like a great company to be a part of with good family values,” says Chelsey, who has since learned that it truly is! As Maxwell’s Sales & Marketing Coordinator, Chelsey seeks out bid opportunities, manages project bid flows, provides customer service, maintains CRM systems, documents OSHA safety training events, reviews marketing materials, and creates close-out packets, proposals, sales reports, and warranties. Internally, Chelsey works closely with Maxwell’s Sales & Service departments, and externally, she works with Maxwell’s marketing partners and clients involved in the bidding stages and close-out stages.

Why Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. Stands Out

When it comes to what Chelsey has grown to love most about Maxwell Roofing, she says, “Everyone is willing to help each other and teach each other new things, so there is an opportunity to continuously grow.” Chelsey also enjoys the opportunity to collaborate with multiple departments. Probably her favorite part about her role in relation to the company, however, is the unique opportunity to collaborate on marketing efforts to provide multiple means of communications to Maxwell’s clients. 

Personal

Since Chelsey is still relatively new to Tennessee, she enjoys exploring new places and getting to know the different areas that make up this beautiful state. Outside of work, you’ll find Chelsey traveling when possible, reading, and spending quality time with family and friends—including her husband J.J. and her cat Mila. With some lifelong goals of continuing to travel and explore the world, Chelsey hopes to be able to resume trips in the near future!

Jackie Sprout grew up in Hendersonville, Tennessee before heading to Middle Tennessee State University. After college, she launched a career in service and sales and eventually worked as an install coordinator for multiple HVAC companies. After more than 20 years in these industries, Jackie decided she wanted something new and started a job at Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. as a service coordinator. She has now been at Maxwell for almost two years.

Current Role

As a service coordinator, Jackie works with a team of 14 other people in the service department. She works every day to create and schedule service tickets for commercial property owners, managers, and contractors. After the roof work is done, Jackie also creates reports and bills companies for the work. 

Why Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. Stands Out 

For Jackie, it’s her coworkers at Maxwell that really make the company stand out. “We genuinely like working with each other and are a happy team,” says Jackie. She enjoys the challenge of busy days where lots of service calls come in. Though demanding, Jackie says that these busy days show why her department is so special. “Our department is unique because of our ability to multitask during extremely busy service days,” she adds. 

Personal

In her free time, Jackie enjoys painting and works in both acrylic and oils. She has a grown son, Drew, and an eight-year-old bulldog and chihuahua mix named Tic-Tac. Jackie hopes to travel more in the future, but she has plenty of hobbies like skydiving, kayaking, parasailing, roller skating, and hiking.

Born and raised in Nashville, Dan Maxwell grew up interested in manufacturing. After graduating from high school, he went to Tennessee Technological University and then entered an apprenticeship program for tool designers. After graduating, Dan entered the manufacturing industry, where he spent 15 years. Dan joined the family business almost 30 years ago when his brother John was looking to expand.

Current Role

Dan works at Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. as a company Vice President and Senior Estimator. He works alongside the sales department to determine the approximate costs of different projects. To do that, Dan and his team determines the scope of work for a given project and establishes pricing for each element. Based on this proposal, Dan and other estimators write proposals for the project and work orders for the materials once the project is contracted. To make these estimates, Dan works with facility managers, building owners, designers, and general contractors. Dan’s precision and technical knowledge is what makes him so valuable to the Maxwell team. He is dedicated to solving problems and establishing the proper scope of work. Dan is able to look at the overall building envelope and assist in discussing other issues or conditions with anyone from facility managers to building owners, while also diagnosing the roofing problems and providing cost-effective solutions. 

Why Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. Stands Out  

Dan loves working on the Maxwell team because of the company’s core values of professionalism, quality, and safety. By being a family-owned business, Dan says the team feels closer and more accountable to each other.

“I love working alongside individuals who display integrity and professionalism,” Dan said. “I think that’s what makes Maxwell Roofing like a family and what makes the company successful.”

Personal

When he’s not working, Dan likes to spend time with his wife and five kids at home. The family also has a cat and a dog. Dan and his son enjoy biking, hiking, and camping together, and when he’s at home, Dan likes to work on his house. Dan’s favorite place to travel is to Florida’s beaches. 

Keith Stiles joined the Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. team in 1997 as a partial owner of the company. Keith came to Maxwell with ten years of commercial roofing experience back in his home state of Arkansas. For the past 25 years, Keith has worked alongside John Maxwell and Dan Maxwell to use new technologies and practices to grow the business.

Current Role:

During his tenure at Maxwell Roofing, Keith has held multiple roles. He is currently Senior Vice President, pursuing profitable work for the Maxwell Roofing team. Keith spends his busy days meeting with property owners, general contractors, and government and industrial building managers. Through these meetings, Keith works to identify new projects for the Maxwell team and then develops them into profitable opportunities. While Keith works with other sales team members, his work requires a great deal of independence and intrinsic motivation. “My role is somewhat autonomous and very fulfilling,” says Keith.  

Why Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc. Stands Out:

For Keith, it’s Maxwell’s professionalism and commitment to good work that makes the company stand out from competitors. Keith believes these values are best reflected through Maxwell’s employees. Above all, Keith takes Maxwell’s professionalism and core values very seriously and expects the same of all Maxwell employees. He affirms, “We have a strong and dedicated workforce. The diversity within our team is bountiful.” 

Personal:

Beyond the office, Keith is always looking to make the best of life. While he loves working hard for Maxwell, Keith still dreams of making it big some other way. He jokes, “I’m forever on the pursuit of winning the lottery.”

Hailing from Seattle, Washington, Kalen Canaday attended Williamette University, where he also played on the college basketball team. After two years at Williamette, Kalen transferred to Western Washington University, where he completed a Bachelor of Science degree in General Studies, with a focus in Communications. Kalen eventually made his way to Middle Tennessee, where he learned about Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. An interest in account management led him to apply with the company, and he was hired in December of 2017.

Current Role:

As a Service Account Manager on the Maxwell team, Kalen is responsible for the management of sales and ongoing customer relationships. He specifically focuses his attention on maintaining existing customer relationships while also developing new customer leads and prospects. “I work on a team of six, and we have a fun and relaxed work environment,” says Kalen. Among the types of customers Kalen serves each day are property managers, maintenance supervisors, general contractors, and building owners.

Why Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. Stands Out:

When asked what he loves most about working on the Maxwell team, Kalen says, “Maxwell’s reputation and knowledge stands apart from all other commercial roofing companies in our region. We stand by our work, and that says a lot about the company as a whole.” Kalen also enjoys that his team culture is relaxed and that no one feels micromanaged. “You’ll find that everyone at Maxwell is very easy-going yet still goal-oriented. It’s a fun place to work, and we are results-oriented,” affirms Kalen. Something that stands out to Kalen about his role and work at Maxwell Roofing is the company’s commitment to clearly understanding customer demands, appropriately planning how to meet their unique needs, and generating sales for the company.

Personal:

A self-proclaimed “foodie,” Kalen can always be found trying new restaurants with his girlfriend, Alix. Their favorite Nashville-area food hot spots include 51 North Taproom, Fin & Pearl, and Bar Sovereign. Kalen and Alix also enjoy hiking (she makes him go), working out, traveling, and spending time with their dog, Drake, a German Short-Haired Pointer. As for any lifelong personal goals or dreams, Kalen hopes to someday travel to Europe and buy a house. For now, Kalen enjoys an occasional getaway to Asheville, North Carolina, as well as exploring New York.