Roofer profile: Jody Roberts - Ace Roofing

By DaVinci Roofscapes.

Learn how quality products have helped this roofer and his company succeed. 

In the past 22 years, the skilled team at Ace Roofing has completed more than 3,000 projects throughout Montana. The talented crew manages complex projects from start to finish with a level of professionalism and attention to detail that sets them apart in the marketplace. Excellence in execution and an uncompromising commitment to quality are their hallmarks.

“Our clients know that when Ace Roofing is on the job, they’re getting a team that treats every project like it’s our own home,” says Jody Roberts, president of Ace Roofing. “That philosophy is deeply ingrained in our culture, and it shows in the finished product every single time.”

For Jody, who joined the company in 2017, it’s all about the dedication of his team plus the quality of products Ace Roofing brings to their commercial and residential projects.

Jody, we understand that DaVinci® Roofscapes was the very first product line you trained on when you came into this industry. About how long has Ace Roofing been installing DaVinci products?

That’s correct. Composite roofing has been part of my DNA from day one. Ace Roofing was already installing DaVinci products well before I came into ownership and leadership of the company. That actually says a lot. DaVinci was chosen by Ace because of its quality and prestige.

When I stepped into the leadership role, my goal was to further the company’s growth and deepen our impact on the community here in Montana. DaVinci has been central to that vision because it’s a product that reflects the standard of excellence we want to be known for. The relationship between Ace and DaVinci predates me, and I’ve made it my mission to take that partnership even further.

How are composite roofing projects helping grow your business?

Composite roofing has been a significant growth driver for us. It positions Ace Roofing in a premium segment of the market where homeowners are looking for long-term value, aesthetic appeal and durability, all in one product. When you’re installing a product you believe in, that confidence transfers directly to the client. Composite projects also tend to generate strong word-of-mouth referrals because the finished product is so visually striking that neighbors and HOA communities take notice. That kind of organic visibility is invaluable for growing a business.

How have you been able to get composite products accepted into an HOA community?

Getting composite products approved by an HOA really comes down to two things: Demonstrating project management capability and removing risk from the equation. HOAs work with us because we have a proven track record of managing complex projects with professionalism and clear communication. On the product side, DaVinci makes the conversation easier because they offer competitive pricing on large-scale community projects, they deliver on time without hiccups and every shipment maintains the same consistent quality. That reliability gives HOA boards the confidence they need to approve the product, because they know what’s going on the first building will look identical to what goes on the last.

Some roofers say that sample tiles close the sale. How many DaVinci sales do you feel you close once homeowners see the product samples? Why do you think this happens?

We take DaVinci samples to every single closing and even bring them to home shows, and the reaction is always the same. People pick them up and their eyes light up. Let’s be honest, our industry has a bit of a black cloud hanging over it. Roofing is often seen as rough, dirty and anything but glamorous. But when you put a DaVinci sample in someone’s hands, it completely shifts the conversation.

The DaVinci product is sleek, it’s refined. Frankly, it’s sexy. It becomes an instant conversation starter and it elevates the entire perception of the project. That tactile, in-person experience is incredibly powerful. I’d say the samples play a role in the majority of our DaVinci closes because once homeowners see and feel the quality, the product essentially sells itself.

What makes your company recommend DaVinci products over competitive composite products?

For us, it comes down to partnership and consistency. DaVinci doesn’t just manufacture a great product. They back it with an outstanding customer marketing program and a team that genuinely cares about the success of their contractors. Their commitment to excellence and quality mirrors exactly what we stand for at Ace Roofing. When you align with a manufacturer whose values match yours, it creates a seamless experience for the homeowner. That synergy between our companies is something I haven’t found with any other composite brand.

What’s one of your favorite DaVinci projects that your company has done and why?

My favorite DaVinci project is actually still under construction right now. We’re set to complete it in late 2026. It’s located in Big Sky, Montana, and the reason it stands out is the sheer complexity of the job. We got involved specifically because of the logistical and safety challenges that other contractors weren’t equipped to handle. The site has zero lay-down area, and everything is 60-plus feet in the air. We’re running a true Just-In-Time methodology, bringing all materials in exactly as needed and coordinating crane operations through extremely difficult site conditions.

We chose to partner with DaVinci on this project because of the warranty protection it offers the client and the broader HOA community. When you’re working in a premier community like Big Sky, the homeowners and the HOA expect products that will perform and look exceptional for decades. DaVinci delivers on that promise. This project is a perfect example of what Ace Roofing does best, tackling the jobs others won’t, with the products and partnerships to back it up.

If you absolutely had to change professions tomorrow, what do you think you’d do?

Honestly, I’d probably end up right back in construction, just on a much bigger scale. I’d see myself in complex project management, the kind of work where people look at the scope and say it’s almost impossible. Think projects like the Burj Khalifa or the Three Gorges Dam, massive undertakings that require incredible coordination, problem-solving under pressure and the ability to keep a thousand moving pieces on track.

That’s where I come alive. My strengths have always been rooted in growth, optimization and P&L management, and those skills translate directly into large-scale construction. At the end of the day, I’m wired to take on the projects nobody else wants to touch and find a way to make them work.

If someone gave you $5 million and you had to spend it within 24 hours, what would you do?

First thing I’d do is book an incredible trip for my entire team, the people who show up and make it happen every single day. I’m talking first-class lie-flat seats all the way to some beautiful beach destination, top-tier resort, the whole nine yards. These are the people who are out there in all conditions, and they deserve to be treated like the professionals they are.

After that, I’d take the rest and buy a large piece of land right here in Montana for wildlife conservation and habitat management. Montana’s wild spaces are what make this place special, and they’re not something we can take for granted. I’d love to preserve a significant tract of land, protect the elk corridors, restore native grasses, maintain healthy watersheds and keep it wild for future generations. Maybe partner with local conservation groups to manage it properly and open it up for responsible public access. That’s the kind of legacy that would mean something to me long after the roofing days are done.