Subcontractor Spotlight: A-1 Roofing
Brad Rabin, superintendent at A-1 Roofing, says construction is in his blood.
He left Chicago to attend college in Austin, Texas and lived there for 11 years, pursuing a different line of work before returning to Illinois to join the family business. Today, he represents the fourth generation to work at the company his great-grandfather founded more than 100 years ago.
Rabin describes the Obama Presidential Center as a career-defining moment, explaining that the roofing scope of work for the Center has been extraordinary. He welcomes the challenge and is confident that his team has the workmanship and commitment to doing things right that is required to pull off what he describes as perhaps the most beautiful roof of his career. How so? Read on and find out.
What was your first introduction to the roofing business?
Growing up, I spent summers working at A-1, running around, picking up blueprints, sweeping the warehouse, loading trucks, simple high school kid kind of things. Ultimately, the longstanding family ties to roofing pulled me back in.
Tell us a bit about your role at the company and your day-to-day.
I arrive at the shop at 5:30 a.m. to get the trucks on the road. I usually spend about half an hour making sure all the job sites have everything they need for the day. From there, I hop in the car and visit two to three job sites per day to check on progress, safety, quality, etc. After that, it is back to the office to make sure trucks are loaded and everyone knows where they are going the next day. Sometimes, I will have enough time to get a proposal or two out.
What sets A-1 Roofing apart?
We have been family-owned since 1910. This has led to consistency in how we operate while we also continue to evolve as new building techniques and technologies are introduced over time. We have a relatively small office team for the size of the operation, but we are all very hands on, nimble and in the know. The two owners – my dad and uncle – are very involved in everything we do. We always pride ourselves on doing the right thing even if it’s difficult at times. Knowing that everything is done the right way and that we treat people correctly, we can sleep at night. That’s how you build your business.
Describe A-1 Roofing’s scope of work on the Obama Presidential Center.
We are installing the hot fluid applied waterproofing system across the parking garage, Library, Forum Plaza and Museum building. This consists of the actual hot rubberized asphalt and various overburden components including drainage mats, insulation, root barriers, drain panels, filter fabric and pavers. The largest square footage of our roof is over the parking garage, which may typically sound simple, but this roof will be an active and functional space covered with dirt, trees, and everything that’s beautiful in the world. Because of that, the drainage trays and other components are specialized things I might never see again. We have one shot to get it right before it’s covered. It is one of the most beautiful and unique roofs I will work on in my career.
What has been your experience working with Lakeside Alliance?
The level of coordination and management between Lakeside Alliance, us and the other subcontractors is conducted at the highest level of professionalism and organization. It is a smooth and well thought out project that should benefit everyone working on it.
What excites you the most about being a part of this historic undertaking?
This is an impressive structure with lots of hard work and quality workmanship. You can’t pull it off unless you hold yourself and all of your crews to the highest standard. And from a personal standpoint, this is a full circle experience for me. Back in 2012, I was part of a team that was responsible for producing President Obama’s inauguration. I was stationed for a week on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., with a temporary Secret Service clearance badge. Now, 12 years later, I am working on the Center.
What advice would you give others thinking about pursuing a career in construction?
Go for it! There are numerous avenues to a successful career in construction. From field work, to project management, to logistics, to estimating. If you have the desire, you can find a place.
What is your greatest hope for the outcome of the Center?
I hope that it will be an educational destination for the community and tourists. Hopefully, the Center will draw people out of downtown and showcase what the historic South Side has to offer.