DiFalco and Patterson: Partners across generations

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn how two men’s roofing business lives on in the next generation.  

In a recent episode of Stories from the Roof, sponsored by TopShield, Megan Ellsworth had the chance to talk to Charlie DiFalco, vice president of Action Roofing Services. With six different locations around Florida, Action Roofing’s team is ready to help with roofs across the state.  

The story of this company stars back in 1986 with a partnership between Charlie’s father and Bruce Patterson. Charlie explained, “My father opened the business in 1986 with Bruce. They were business partners for 40 years before my dad passed away in 2020... And the funny thing was my dad and Bruce were polar opposite people, but it worked well and they grew a very small business into a success over the years.” 

Charlie got involved in Action Roofing after he graduated high school in 2001. He looks back at that time with some humor, “When I first started in 2001, my dad said, ‘Hey, you're starting from the bottom and I'm not your boss. Bruce is your boss. Don't come to me for anything.’ And he didn't think I would last a month.” 

Now, 25 years later, Charlie has definitely exceeded his dad’s original expectations. He credits a lot of his success to having Bruce and his dad to learn from:  

My dad was phenomenal; he was my best friend. We went to lunch every day for 15 years, talked about everything. Obviously, we had our moments like any father and son working together every day, but I wouldn't trade it for the world...And Bruce, he is one of the most hardworking people I know. He would never miss a day and was always ready to show you what needs to be done and how to do it. I really had two amazing people guiding me on my path. 

And everything on that path has truly come full circle as Charlie carries forward his father’s legacy and Bruce’s daughter Brooke continues his (having joined the company in 2015). Oh, and the two are also married! Charlie reflected, “It really was a family business, and we were partners, her and I, and then we got married. It's a really cool company; we’re really family oriented and people love working here.” 

Listen to the whole conversation with Charlie to learn more about his time in the roofing industry.