Meet the Team – Glenn Thurston
Western Colloid is proud to have such a dedicated team. Our customer support is legendary, and our team fits beautifully with our company culture. We think of ourselves as a roofing manufacturer with the soul of a contractor.
These are the people that take our great products and become valued partners with our customers. We thought it would be nice to introduce them to you starting with members of our sales & technical support staff. Getting to know these talented individuals helps explain the secret to our success.
We are asking our team 10 questions about themselves.
Meet Glenn Thurston – Regional Manager of Texas and the Mid-West
How long have you been in the roofing industry?
I began my career in the fluid applied roofing industry in 1980, just out of High School, working for a long time Western Colloid customer, Scholten Roofing, in Washington State as an applicator.
How long have you been working for Western Colloid?
I got a call in 2017 from Western Colloid, asking if I would be interested in moving to Texas. At that time, I was working for a small residential roofing contractor, liked my job and politely said thank you, but no thanks. I shared with my wife Lisa about the phone call, she said I should at least talk with them. My no thanks turned into a yes and I began commuting and working with Western Colloid in March 2018.
What service do you provide your customers that is unique, if you don’t mind sharing?
I like to wear several hats for Western Colloid. We provide a unique service, in that, we like to partner with contractors in helping them build their business. I like to help them strategize on marketing ideas, application solutions, and sales techniques to help them understand how simple the fluid applied process really is.
What is the most valuable lessons you learned about roofing since working for Western Colloid?
Although Western Colloid is a coatings manufacturer, we are much more than that. Roofing is more than just selling and installing a roof. I came from high pressure selling, this is all about relationships, learning what is most important to the contractor and helping them achieve their goals.
In a few words describe the most important trait in a roofing mechanic/installer?
Good listener, hard worker, willing to show up to work.
What are your biggest concerns for the roofing business today?
Labor shortages are causing a hurt for contractors and high turnover. I find many contractors are constantly training new people, which prevents them from being highly proficient in our processes.
Do you support any associations related to the roofing/construction industry?
RCAT, IFMA, IIBEC, IRE
What is the thing you like most about Western Colloid as a Company?
They don’t micro-manage, do your job, work as if it is your own company. Do what’s right, because it is right. I really appreciate that Western Colloid is consistent in their manufacturing, we don’t cut corners, service is paramount to our success and the success of the contractors.
What advice would you give someone just starting in the coating business?
Be open minded, work hard, build relationships with customers, take care of them for life. Don’t bounce from one project to the next, build residual business with the customer base you are creating. Don’t just get in and get out.
What is your most Frequently asked question in the field when you are on an inspection?
What is the best specification for this project and how can I bid it properly.
What is your most Frequently asked question in the field when you doing a demo?
What does it take to get started, do I have to buy equipment? Is that it? That’s all it takes to apply this material properly? I think contractors are not used to the simplicity of fluid applied membranes, it’s not rocket science.
What makes you smile when you think about your job?
I work for a great company who really wants others to succeed. It’s the partnerships that are created and it’s fun to see contractors say “This is actually not very difficult at all.”
