Up in the Air: Alex's Path to the Roofing Industry
From reading flight maps to warranty specs, Alex has had one of the most shocking career shifts we’ve heard at Baker Roofing! Learn more about our own “Maverick” and his journey from being a pilot to roofing below.


Meet Alex Hephner, a participant in our Construction Management Program currently completing Phase 2 of his training: pre-construction and submittals! For National Roofing Week, we asked Alex to share about his experience making the transition from aviation to roofing.
What has the majority of your professional experience been in up to this point?
The majority of my professional experience has been in aviation. I did work with FedEx Freight for a long time before flying but it was more of a part time job while in school. With aviation, I was more into the teaching side of the industry. I was a flight instructor for a long time and then began managing one of the flight school’s academies. I was also able to be checked out with the FAA as a Check Instructor, which gave me the authority to issue pilot certificates and administer check rides. I currently still hold all my ratings with 2200 hours of flight time and can still teach/fly as a side job.
What led you to roofing?
What are some similarities between the roofing industry and aviation? How do they differ?
I think one of the big similarities between aviation and roofing is that both require expertise in the subject matter. In flying you must know everything about the aircraft, the flying laws, weather, etc. Your life depends on it. The same is true with roofing. You must know exactly how to install these systems because the finished product is something that people are depended on to keep them safe from the outside environment. I would say one aspect that differs in roofing verses aviation is that there is a much larger “team” aspect in construction. It takes dozens of people to get a project done as compared to aviation that is usually smaller crews.
What are the most valuable and important aspects of a job to you personally?
What are your plans for the future at Baker Roofing?
Ready to make a career shift?

By Shelby Zeuli
Shelby joined the Baker Roofing marketing team in April 2021! When she's not on top of roofs trying to get a good angle, she likes to capture portrait photography, skateboard, and watch movies with her dog, Sarge.