Mark Carpenter Executive Profile
Our owner Mark Carpenter was featured in the Portland Business Journal Executive Profile
Resume
Title: President
Organization: Columbia Roofing and Sheet Metal
Background: Been Working for 32 years in the construction industry, including 29 years in the roofing industry.
Education: Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Portland State University, 1975.
Residence: Tigard
Business Philosophy
Essential business philosophy: Provide the best value proposition for the customer and deliver it!
Best way to keep competitive: Always look internally for training, education and values.
Guiding principle: Do what you say and if something is incorrect, fix it quickly.
Yardstick of success: Seeing the succession of values, family, business and friends’ activities to the next generation.
Goal yet to be achieved: Run a 4 hour marathon. My closest was 4:07.
Judgement Calls
Best Business Decision: To start Columbia Roofing and Sheet Metal.
Worst business decision: I don’t look back except to learn from a mistake, so when a poor decision is made, I get the most out of it and move on.
Toughest business decision: Long term financial planning with trust in the assumptions and the execution based on the assumptions.
Biggest missed opportunity: Failure to quickly recognize the value of data as an emerging technology in the roofing industry.
Mentors: Robert Ames, Monte Shelton, and Robert F. Sterns.
Word that best describes you: I enjoy life, the relationships and the business.
True Confessions
Like best about the job: Relationships and the mentoring of younger people.
Like least abut the job: Termination of employees who do not fit.
Pet peeves: Not being on a strong path and meeting deadlines
Most important lesson learned: Picking the correct customer that fits my values.
Person most interested in meeting: Lord March.
Most respected competitor: Snyder Roofing.
Greatest Passions: Snow skiing, vintage racing and long distance running.
First choice for a new career: Male model, or not!
Predilections
Favorite quote: “Life is hard; it is harder if you are stupid”- John Wayne, or”The most powerful force in the universe is compound interest”- Albert Einstein.
Most influential book: “Good to Great” by Jim Collins; best read: “The Immortal 2.9,” by Simon Moore.
Favorite websites: Anamera and eBay.
Favorite cause: Supporting charities in the elder care business for both residence and for education.
Favorite movie: “World’s Fastest Indian” with Anthony Hopkins
Favorite music/musician: Van Morrison and Junior Brown.
Most treasured possession: Family and friends.
Favorite restaurant: Mangy Moose in Teton Village, Wyo.
Favorite vacation spot: The Top Ranch on Camas Creek, Idaho.
Favorite way to spend free time: Running, Skiing, and playing with cars.