Darlene Lee-Omana, owner of Gill Roofing Co., started out in the business climbing roofs and working with the crews. Now, 42 years later, she’s in charge. Staff Photo
When Darlene Lee-Omana was in high school, she began working for family business Gill Roofing Co. From the beginning, owner Richard Gill encouraged her to climb right up there with the boys and learn the business from the top down.
Her job led to some challenges, she admitted, but it also helped her eventually take over the company, which has been keeping Corpus Christi homes dry for 70 years now. Lee-Omana has been in charge for the past 32 years.
“Pop [Richard Gill] would take my hand and put me with the crews, so I learned early on what this business entailed,” Lee-Omana said. “He wanted me to know how hard it was to work on the roof, so I would give the crews plenty of breaks. He would always tell me, ‘The only way you can understand how hard they work is to get up there with them.’”
Pop Gill established the company in 1945. He was motivated by the desire to build a strong business for his kids to inherit and carry on, Lee-Omana said. She and her husband, Fernando, now work side by side doing just that — only now, Fernando’s the one on the roof.
“We have the perfect marriage because we are both into the business,” Lee-Omana said. “It works for us.”
The company specializes in commercial and residential roofing and remodeling. The crew of 15 works jobs across the Coastal Bend area.
“We always make sure we do a good job and maintain honesty and integrity,” Lee-Omana said. “Our reputation and being in business for a long time has helped make our business successful. We make sure our customers are happy.”
Gill Roofing prides itself on building roofs that last.
“We don’t cut any corners,” Lee-Omana said. “You get what you pay for with us.”
The company has received several awards for its success including the Better Business Bureau Preferred Award. It is also certified for residential and commercial work by the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas.
Lee-Omana’s biggest competitors are from smaller roofers who work out of their trucks, going door to door to sell their services.
“One of the rules my grandfather had was to never knock on a door unless you’ve been invited,” Lee-Omana said.
Most of the business comes through referrals. The workload certainly picks up when bad weather hits, which made for a busy spring this year.
“The weather can have a huge impact on how the business does due to common weather-related issues like roof leaks from heavy rainfall and water damage,” she said.
Getting involved in the community has been an important factor for Lee-Omana, who has been a member of the National Association of Women in Construction for 39 years now. She has also been president of the Loving Spoonful for the past 20 years. The nonprofit organization provides school clothes, supplies and Christmas presents to children who have been affected by HIV and AIDS.
Lee-Omana said she plans to continue Pop’s legacy in the roofing business.
“It’s great to be your own boss,” she said. “I love my job. I take great pride in it. People think women don’t know anything about putting a roof on, but I do. We do good work. I am very happy and am blessed “
Gill Roofing Co. is located at 5105 Up River Road in Corpus Christi.
How to help the Loving Spoonful
The Loving Spoonful provides children affected by HIV and AIDS with clothes, school supplies and Christmas presents through contributions and donations. Each child gets a $100 shopping spree, said president Darlene Lee-Omana, owner of Gill Roofing Co.
Donations made payable to the Loving Spoonful may be sent to: Loving Spoonful, P.O. Box 4597, Corpus Christi, TX 78469-4597. Contributions are tax-deductible.
