4 minute read
O'Donnell Roofing Co.
100 Years and Four Generations of Entrepreneurial Spirit
Business Profile by Holly Stupak
Nearing the 100th anniversary of the company, O’Donnell Roofing has experienced a long history of change, growth and adaptation. Current Owner Kevin O’Donnell is proud to be part of the history of O’Donnell Roofing, which spans four generations of his family.
In the first generation, a roof could cost $28 and a repair could cost $.60. For a time, the company signs read ‘C.A. O’Donnell II’ with no mention of roofing. C.A. was Kevin’s great-grandfather, Clement Aloysius O’Donnell. Clement started the company in West Philadelphia in 1924, and provided a number of services to the community. Instead of focusing only on roofing, C.A. O’Donnell II serviced coal burners in the winter when the demand for roofing quieted down. He owned a sheet metal shop where they would fabricate roofing and heating materials. There were no big box-stores down the street to buy materials for putting a roof and gutters on a house. Everything was custom.
Since the 1920s, the roofing industry has changed drastically, and so has the company’s service line, but the O’Donnell name still stands strong. The family business has combined innovation with adaptation, to remain relevant and hold on to the traditional local charm that started almost 100 years ago.
Kevin O’Donnell has managed the company since 2012, when his father, Laurence, stepped away from his executive management role. Laurence had started with the company at age 19, and by 29, he took over the head role from his father (Kevin’s grandfather) Clement Jr.
Owner Kevin O’Donnell with his dad Laurence
Photo by Dan Hall, Prestige Photography
Under Laurence’s influence, the company expanded and changed quite a bit, by moving into different roofing product lines and customer types. Laurence started doing roof restorations and custom roofs including slate, cedar and copper. His work became the premier standard for custom metal and restoration roofing in the area, and he was even hired to restore the R5 Line Train Station roofs. “My dad is now a consultant for a lot of companies because of his extensive experience,” Kevin said proudly. “He’s one of the best in the area and in his field.”
Kevin and his dad Laurence were always close and loved spending weekends together at the shore in Ventnor. Kevin savored the chance to spend time with his dad when he was younger, and attributes his time working with his father from age 12 as a huge part of his work ethic. “I was a determined young kid,” Kevin said. “Whatever I did, it was entrepreneurial.”
After graduating from Haverford High School, Kevin went to college in Vermont, through a work-study program. In between his classes, he kept himself busy by running a deli. The lifestyle was fun and fast. Kevin also enjoyed snowboarding in Burlington 100 days out of the year while he was there. With that said, it wasn’t “home” and it wasn’t what Kevin really wanted to do. “I realized up there what I was always destined to do,” Kevin explained.
After four years in Vermont, Kevin returned home in the early 2000s, and began working for his dad again. “I was surrounded by 30-year-olds but I didn’t care. My whole philosophy was “Show me once, and I won’t forget it,” Kevin said proudly about his younger self.
Owner Kevin O’Donnell
Photo by Dan Hall, Prestige Photography
In the past 10 years, Kevin O’Donnell has taken over the company and focused on growth. He dove headfirst into the business side. Laurence stepped aside after leading the company for over 30 years, but continued to help Kevin by maintaining clients and continuing to provide the customer service and work ethic that O’Donnell Roofing is known for. By 2012, Kevin had taken the lead and the company began growing rapidly.
Since 2008, the crew has grown from 5 employees to about 50, and Kevin makes it a priority to treat every employee with time and respect. “They rely on me for work every day, and I worked hard to build these relationships and honor that,” Kevin said.
In the past seven years, Kevin began servicing commercial clients, a new branch of work that he has nurtured since taking over the company and one that he considers the first innovation he can claim as his own. The new employees and the professional growth of the company under his management have been something he takes pride in and focuses time, effort and resources on building.
Kevin O’Donnell with his wife Lisa and their children Kaitlyn and Ryan
Photo by Courtney Ay Photography, www.Facebook.com/CourtneyAyPhotography
Kevin’s family has also grown these past seven years. He married his wife Lisa in 2014, and they now have two children: six-year-old son Ryan and two-year-old daughter Kaitlyn.
Through quality workmanship and 100 years of experience, O’Donnell Roofing (www.ODonnellRoofingCo.com) continues to provide outstanding roofing services and solutions to their customers. Kevin has the same entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to honesty and integrity that runs through his bloodline. And the O’Donnell Roofing team has the skills, training and expertise to make every roofing project a success from start to finish.
610-449-8188
www.ODonnellRoofingCo.com
Residential & Commercial Roofing • Metal Roof Specialists Historic Restoration • Attic Ventilation Specialists • Rotted Wood Replacement Solar Installation • Windows and Skylights • Siding and Gutters • Senior Citizen Discount
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