This year in honor of Women’s History Month, Roofing Is Celebrating Women. Let’s not just celebrate the women who are written in the history books but let’s also celebrate ourselves. This month, you will see highlights of women to be celebrated within our industry.
Zeb Sukle, Johns Manville
- How did you get involved in the roofing industry?
I was recruited by Jennifer Ford-Smith, we used to work at a window shade company together.
- What is one of the key things you’ve learned about yourself that you wish you would’ve known when you first entered the roofing industry?
That a tonic and lime looks exactly like a vodka tonic…knowing when I should make the substitution has been priceless!
- In the spirit of Women’s History Month, who in your life has been an inspiring female figure that has helped you get to where you are today, physically, emotionally, intellectually and/or spiritually?
Marta Delgado, she is the mother I needed.
- Who is one of your favorite Women in History?
RBG, she was amazing! Where would we be without her?
- As we know, many of the women in our industry are always juggling multiple responsibilities. How do you manage a work-life balance?
I think COVID helped me to understand what work-life balance should really be. I wasn’t on the road 40%, I didn’t have a 45-minute commute in the morning and evening, I didn’t realize how much time I spent in transit to places. Having that time back and a bit of flexibility has given me an opportunity to exhale a bit and establish some boundaries, priorities.
- Share an example of a time when you realized you were one of the first women at your job, school, family, or social organization to do something that had a meaningful impact or caused a positive change?
I believe I was the first female Technology Director for Johns Manville. For me personally, it was a big dream to finally be recognized for the work that I did, I will forever be grateful to JM for giving me this opportunity. Once the shock of it all settled in, I began to see how important it was to those around me. I received so many congratulations emails from people I hardly new and that made me realize how important this was for ALL of us.
- Share something that you have been a part of that other women can follow in your footsteps and pave new trails in the industry?
I think I answered part of this in question 6…however I would say that there were very few women in the roofing industry when I started but because of the fantastic outreach of National Women in Roofing, I have seen it grow. My day job keeps me busy but Thank You to all those women that keep moving NWIR forward, you are doing a fantastic job!
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NWiR is so grateful to Zeb’s company, Johns Manville for their support of the association as a Founding Sponsor and now as a Diamond Sponsor. JM is also very supporting of their employees being in leadership positions on NWiR committees and Councils, and for that we are truly thankful.
