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Joe Fick, the CEO of Fick Brothers Roofing, talks about his family, his career, and his love for the job.
BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Being on top has always been a priority for Joe Fick — whether it’s the roof of a house or being the best business in town.
As the chief executive officer of Fick Bros. Roofing and Exterior Modeling Company, Fick has led the organization through a transition in the late 1990s from a commercial roofer to one of the most respected private home contractors in Baltimore City. Carrying on the roofing tradition started by his grandfather in 1915, Fick has taken the family business to the next level.
Now at age 60, he credits his drive to succeed as the key that took him to the top when he succeeded his father in the late 1970s.
“Our No. 1 goal is to create a great experience for our clients,” Fick said. “We set that as a tone and work everything else around that.”
Today, Fick Bros. employs about 48 workers and has a fleet of 25 trucks, but things really began booming in 1995, when Fick’s son, Patrick, joined the company. With Patrick on board, Fick, along with his brother Jeffrey, began the process of changing the business to one that was based on private homes and residences, as opposed to industrial buildings. By 2003, Fick had completed the vision for the company and continues to use his customer-first approach to keep the business on top.
Fick no longer gets out on a roof the way he used to, but keeping in contact with clients and providing a recognizable face to the community is a key role that he fills every day in maintaining the image of the roofing business his grandfather started in the early 1900s.
“He’s a very stabilizing force for us,” said Jeffrey Fick, who is Joe’s brother and runs sales at the company. “He’s the type of person that can see the big picture and into the future, so we run a steady course all the time.”
When he has a chance to get away, Joe Fick relishes the chance to relax at his beach house in Chestertown. Taking a boat out onto the water and relaxing with his wife of eight years, Marjorie, is just as nice as a round of golf at the Maryland Country Club.
“I’m a person who hits golf balls more than a golfer,” he said with a laugh.
JOE FICK
» First job: Working for my dad as a laborer for Fick Bros. Roofing Co.
» Education/credentials: Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from LaSalle University and Architectural Drafting Certificate from the Maryland Institute of Art
» Best job perk: No boss
» Career objective: To continue being the best roofing contractor in Baltimore
» Favorite gadget: Tools
» Hometown: Towson
» Birth date: December 4, 1947
» Original aspirations: Be the best roofing contractor in Baltimore
» Sports/hobbies: Skiing, golfing, boating and gardening
dcarey@baltimoreexaminer.com
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4:42 PM MST on Fri., Jul. 6, 2007 re: "Curreri has grand plans for his latest venture"
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Examiner Reader said:
An excellent article on Mike Curreri,an outstanding individual.
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Garret Ohm said:
This man has great taste in cars!
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