From history major to roofing trailblazer

 By Jesse Sanchez. 

An unconventional path into roofing reveals why mentorship and service are reshaping the industry. 

For Tracey Donels, founder of Service First Solutions, the path to the roofing industry began with a question and an offer he couldn’t refuse. “Like most people, I didn’t find roofing, roofing found me,” Tracey says in the opening minutes of People Make Roofing, a call to action led by Roofing Talent America and The Coffee Shops™. 

Tracey, who studied history and journalism at the University of Iowa, wasn’t aiming for a career on the rooftops of Dallas. But when his wife’s family offered him a role at a young roofing company, KPost Roofing & Waterproofing, he took a chance. That leap became a 15-year journey through the service department, eventually leading to his own national consulting business focused on repair and maintenance. 

Tracey’s story is more than a personal success; it’s a window into how modern roofing is changing and why mentorship matters. He recalls, “I went in a truck, did three or four rear roofs, spent six months or so on a service crew. And before I knew it, I was running the department.” Under his leadership, KPost’s service team grew from three to more than 20 trucks and generated nearly $9 million in revenue. 

His company, Service First Solutions, now helps others do the same. “We are a coaching, training and consulting company that helps commercial roofers grow their repair and maintenance business,” Tracey explains. His pitch is simple but impactful: service work can be a company’s lifeblood and a steady source of growth. 

A key theme in this conversation is how mentorship shapes careers in roofing. Tracey credits Steve Little, Keith Post and Jayne Williams of KPost for giving him opportunities, including a formative trip to tour five larger roofing companies. He says, “I came back from that five-day trip with a Ph.D. in roofing.” 

In a competitive world, roofing stands out for its generosity and community spirit. “A lot of people would think that it’s competitive, it’s cutthroat. I really feel that’s not the case in roofing,” says co-host Luke McCormack. Tracey echoes that, citing how mentors like Greg Hayne not only supported him but showed him what was possible. 

The conversation highlights how building a career in roofing doesn’t follow a straight line and that’s the point. For young professionals looking for purpose, growth and real impact, Tracey's journey offers a compelling argument to give roofing a second look. 

Read the transcript, Listen to the podcast or Watch the interview to learn more about how Tracey turned hands-on experience into a mission to educate and empower roofing professionals nationwide!