How Tom Willi Went From Electrical Engineer To
Building Austin’s Most Trusted Roofing Company
An Unexpected Career Twist Changed Everything
…And Here We Are Over 25 Years Later
After two industry lay offs, Tom knew he had to make a big change. If you had told Tom Willi (our owner) in 1999 that he’d soon start a roofing company, he would’ve said you are absolutely crazy. After all, he was an engineer. And being an engineer is a far cry from being a roofer… or so he thought.
But, as life goes, Tom was dealt the nastiest of curveballs… twice!
- In 1999, Tom and his wife, Susan, were expecting their first child – the most exciting time of their life. But, unfortunately, Tom, who was working as an engineer at the time, was laid off – the most stressful time of his life.
- Then, late in 2001, it happened AGAIN. Tom and Susan were expecting their second child, and Tom was (yet again) laid off from his engineering job.
So, Tom took a job working for a roofing company in Austin, TX. It didn’t take long for him to know that roofing was EXACTLY what he wanted to do. Soon after that, Willi Roofing Services was launched.
How Engineering Shaped Tom’s Roofing Philosophy
You might think switching from engineering to roofing meant Tom had to start from scratch. In some ways, he did. But in many ways, his engineering background gave him a massive advantage.
As an engineer, Tom specialized in building complex systems that worked seamlessly. And as a roofer, he realized something most roofers overlooked – a roof isn’t just shingles. It’s a system.
Too many roofers cut corners, focusing only on the surface of the roof. Tom was different. He wanted to understand how every component worked together to create a durable, high-performance roofing system.
So, he sought out the best manufacturer in the industry – GAF – and made sure his crews were trained to install their entire roofing system the right way, every time.
2001: Willi Roofing Opens Its Doors… And They’re Quickly Flooded
Tom enjoyed working in the roofing industry, but ultimately, his entrepreneurial spirit and quest to build even better roofing systems started churning. So, in 2001, he along with his wife, Susan, started Willi Roofing Services.
Success came quickly.
What started as one installation crew soon grew to six crews in the field at a time. Willi Roofing’s reputation spread fast, but the growth was unsustainable.
So, Tom made a decision – quality over quantity. Instead of trying to become the biggest roofing company in town, he focused on maintaining top-tier quality and spending the extra time he had with his family.
Nowadays, We Stay Small (And That’s A Good Thing!)
Tom’s plan worked! Willi Roofing Services was able to strike the perfect balance between meeting the community’s roofing needs and not overdoing it.
So, at Willi Roofing Services, we’re not as big as the giant, corporate roofing companies… nor do we want to be! We don’t do a bunch of flashy national ads or engage in any aggressive growth strategies. Instead, we rely largely on word of mouth referrals and a good, honest local reputation. In fact, a good portion of our business comes from referrals and word of mouth!
So, if you’re looking for a huge, national roofing brand, that’s not us.
If you’re searching for a local and proven roofing company that’s OBSESSED with doing a great job on every single roof we install, we’re the team for you!
Schedule Your Pressure-Free Roofing Consultation
Are you searching for a proven roofing company in Austin, TX? Willi Roofing brings 20+ years of roof replacement experience to the local community. We notably offer asphalt shingles, metal roofing, and solar shingles from top manufacturers such as GAF. Call us today for more information and to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.
