Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal today announced that its ownership has been officially transferred from John Maxwell to his children, Kathleen Maxwell Stroop and David Maxwell, who have both worked at the company over the past decade and now represent the third generation of Maxwells to own and operate the family business.
After 45 years at Maxwell Roofing, John transitioned out of his role as president in July 2021 but has continued serving the company in an advisory capacity after appointing Kathleen as the company’s new CEO and David as President.
The company was founded in 1956 by Kenneth Maxwell, a decorated B-17 bomber squadron commander, as the Nashville branch of Tri-State Roofing. Since then, it has grown into a regional leader in commercial roofing and sheet metal fabrication in Middle Tennessee, southern Kentucky, and northern Alabama. In 2010, a satellite office was opened in northern Alabama to meet the growing demand in the area.
Among Maxwell Roofing’s marquee projects are the Nashville International Airport, the Tennessee State Supreme Court, the Tennessee State Library and Archives, and Thompson Nashville, a luxury hotel offering spectacular views of the Music City skyline at one of the city’s most popular rooftop bars and tourist destinations.
“Not everyone has the opportunity to be part of a multi-generation family business or to share that experience with a close sibling,” said Kathleen. “David and I have always looked to our dad for encouragement and wisdom, and we’re intent on building on the legacy he’s helped to create by melding a spirit of innovation with the timeless qualities of hard work and integrity that’s part of Maxwell Roofing’s DNA.”
In 2021, Kathleen was one of a handful of female CEOs competing in a male-dominated industry and was 14 years younger than the average age of her peers. Prior to her elevation as CEO, she spent the previous decade gaining hard-earned experience in the roofing business, starting on rooftops as a Client Account Manager and eventually becoming Vice President of Sales. David Maxwell stepped up as President after serving as Operations Manager and then Vice President of Services during his twelve-year tenure with the company.
Kathleen and David relied on one another and the entire Maxwell Roofing team to navigate the unprecedented challenges of a global supply chain crisis and recession. They built an inventory management program for critical materials so that projects could continue with fewer delays. They also invested resources internally, upgrading the Maxwell Roofing facilities and providing employees with additional training despite the market downturn.
Together with their team, Kathleen and David helped Maxwell Roofing survive an industry-wide crisis while doubling the company's revenue and overseeing a major workforce expansion. This success was a testament to the power of the company’s incredible teamwork, as each employee played a crucial role in adapting to the crisis and pushing Maxwell Roofing forward.
“Kathleen and I are fortunate to have a past to draw inspiration from,” said David. “But we’re even more excited to be the third generation to lead this company into the future.”
Founded in 1956, Maxwell Roofing and Sheet Metal, Inc. began serving Middle Tennessee and has since expanded to Southern Kentucky with a satellite office in Huntsville, Alabama. Maxwell Roofing is highly regarded across the Mid-South region as an honest, reputable commercial roofing and sheet metal contractor. A legacy family business spanning three generations of industry experience, Maxwell is a market leader in quality and customer service founded on traditional values and work ethic.