Erica Grell Knows Roofing

By Lauren White, RCS Reporter.

Grell Roofing continues to be a family business.

Grell Roofing will remain in the family now that Erica Grell is the sole owner.  Having been involved in the business since 2008, she became manager by 2012, and just last year in 2018 took over the company.  Her father, Kirk Grell, started Grell Roofing in 1985.  

Out of Fort Dodge, Iowa, Grell Roofing completes roof repairs, maintenance, and replacements on flat commercial roofs.  Grell has worked on roofs of shopping centers, schools, and restaurant chains. Employing 15 to 20 people, Grell works solely in the United States.  They utilize six trucks, a crane, two dump trucks, multiple trailers, and subcontractors occasionally. Duro-Last® is one of their go-to products. Grell has been a dealer and elite roofing contractor with Duro-Last for 15 years and their sales of this product have been over $1 million.  

Photo by Chad Thompson
Chase Michehl, foreman at Grell Roofing, front, with Erica Grell, owner.

Erica has, “...done about everything the business requires, from installing roofing materials to completing sales,” The Messenger reported.  As a woman, people are sometimes surprised to hear she’s the owner.  Erica told The Messenger, “It can be a little complicated sometimes...People see me in a male dominated field and judge and maybe assume I don’t know what I am talking about.”  

Laura Sanchez, Erica’s best friend, manages the office.  Laura told The Messenger, “She [Erica] has to prove herself a little more to set the record straight that she knows this business inside and out.”  Erica answers calls and emails at all hours of the day, being on call 24/7. “She doesn’t just sit in the office. She gets on the roofs. She’s personally taking the phone calls and taking care of it.  She prides herself on taking care of customers, if not right away, as soon as we can,” Laura explained to The Messenger. And she responds when tornadoes hit neighboring cities. Laura shared, “Because Erica knew how badly they [Marshalltown] were hit, we rearranged things to get there quickly.”

Even with her busy schedule, she still finds time for family.  The job allows her some flexibility, which Erica enjoys. She told The Messenger, “I can be on the go and I like meeting and interacting with new people.  No one job is the same. Sometimes it’s hard to oversee it all while also being a mom.” While it may be difficult at times, she does intend to expand the business in the future.  “We want to keep expanding and growing in Fort Dodge— employ people in the area...Ideally we will move and build a bigger shop.”

Business owner, woman, mom.  Erica may be in a male-dominated field of roofing, but she’s successful, she puts her customers and family first, and she knows roofing.  Growing up watching her father run the business, and working her way up throughout the years, she’s learned what it takes to own and run a successful business.  And that’s exactly what she’s doing.  

Original article source: The Messenger

About NWIR (National Women in Roofing)

National Women in Roofing (NWIR) is a volunteer-based organization that supports and advances the careers of women roofing professionals. We provide networking, mentoring, education and recruitment opportunities from the rooftop to the boardroom, for the young professional at the start of her career to the seasoned manager in the executive suite.

Our focus is on connecting and empowering women so that their training and leadership skills can help drive the overall betterment and professionalism of the roofing industry. Our membership also includes and welcomes men who support the inclusion of women in the roofing industry. Working together, we are bringing the industry to a new level of excellence by supporting and promoting the contributions of women as an essential component to the future of roofing.

Learn more about joining National Women in Roofing.

Main image: photo by Chad Thompson
Erica Grell, owner of Grell Roofing, left, poses with Laura Sanchez, office manager. The two Fort Dodgers are friends and coworkers