Tupac de la Cruz, 33
Operations Manager, Roofing Solutions
Since founding his company in 2004, Tupac de la Cruz has built the firm into one of the country’s top 25 roofing contractors in the country, as ranked by Roofing Contractor magazine. The company has also been included on the LSU 100 list of the fastest-growing businesses led by an LSU alumni four times. On and off the job, Cruz is also working to help build the next generation of quality contractors. He mentors LSU construction management students and last year worked with a group that took second in a National Roofing Contractors Association national competition. This year, he hopes to beat out the Florida team that placed first. Cruz is also a member of the Board of Directors of the National Roofing Contractors Association.
NAME THREE MAJOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
- Member of the board of directors of the National Roofing Contractors Association.
- Top 25 Roofing Contractors in the US by Roofing Contractor magazine.
- Being included on the LSU 100 Fastest Growing Tiger Businesses list four times.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR VOLUNTEER & COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS AND INVOLVEMENT.
I have been involved with LSU’s Construction Management program as a mentor for their participation in NRCA’s student competition. We achieved second place our first year in the competition after University of Florida, beating Auburn University. We will prepare to win this year.
NAME ONE BOOK THAT HAS INSPIRED YOU PROFESSIONALLY.
The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It.
WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?
Businessman.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB, HOW OLD WERE YOU AND WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM IT?
Selling iced tea and pastries outside a soccer field nearby my parents’ house on Sundays. I was 7-years-old.
WHAT IS THE STRANGEST JOB YOU’VE EVER HAD?
I had to sell plasma for eight months while in college. It wasn’t a job, but I was getting paid for it. My peers were creepy.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?
The opportunity to provide for all of the stakeholders that revolve around us.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST FULFILLING MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR?
The moment in which I was trusted by clients to do their work that was beyond anything we have done before.
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED THE HARD WAY?
The commercial roofing trade. I did not have anyone to ask nor to make decisions with in the beginning. It is a technical driven industry.
WHAT ABOUT YOUR JOB WOULD SHOCK CUSTOMERS OR CLIENTS IF THEY KNEW ABOUT IT?
That I was 20 years old when a graduated from college.
HOW DO YOU TYPICALLY DRESS FOR WORK—CASUAL? PROFESSIONAL? BUSINESS CASUAL? OTHER?
Jeans, boat shoes and a company polo shirt.
WHY PART OF YOUR JOB DO YOU LOVE? WHAT PART DO YOU HATE?
Since day one, I love the relationships built among the people we deal with on daily basis. Architects, General Contractors, Owners, Suppliers, Distributors, etc. I hate complacency from employees. Every job is the self-portrait of the person who does it. Strive to autograph your work with excellence.
WHAT IS THE BEST COMPLIMENT YOU’VE EVER GOTTEN FROM A COLLEAGUE OR BOSS?
One of the early people who trusted me stated that he was proud of what we had accomplished a few years later. He knew that this was a tough industry to succeed.
MAC OR PC?
MAC personally, PC at the office.
HOW MANY TEXTS DO YOU SEND ON AN AVERAGE DAY? HOW MANY EMAILS?
Ten texts, 350 emails.
HOW LOW WILL YOU ALLOW YOUR REMAINING PHONE OR COMPUTER BATTERY LIFE GET IN % BEFORE YOU HAVE AN ANXIETY ATTACK?
When it gets down to 1% in the middle of the day and I don’t have a charger.
HOW MANY UNREAD MESSAGES ARE IN YOUR INBOX RIGHT NOW?
Less than five.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE APP AT THE MOMENT?
Uber.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT OF THE PAST DECADE?
The evolution of internet and its ability to connect you worldwide.
WHAT TIME DO YOU GET UP ON WORKDAY MORNINGS?
5 a.m.
BREAKFAST AT HOME? BREAKFAST ON THE GO? BREAKFAST AT YOUR DESK? NO BREAKFAST AT ALL?
Breakfast at home.
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE YOU WERE “GROWN UP”?
When I paid a significant tax bill early in my career.
WHAT WAS THE BEST VACATION YOU HAVE EVER TAKEN?
A ski trip with my wife a few years ago. We had a lot of fun and loved the experience.
FAVORITE GIFT YOU WERE GIVEN AS A CHILD?
Lego.
WHAT’S A NICKNAME YOUR FRIENDS OR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE FOR YOU?
Tupi.
WHO FASCINATES YOU?
My wife, Raquel. She is an unbelievable pillar for me that keeps togetherness in my life.
FAVORITE DRINK?
Coffee.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BAND OR SONG?
Techno music.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?
I am a movie junkie and don’t have one in particular.
WHAT SCARED YOU AS A CHILD, AND WHAT SCARES YOU NOW?
I was and I am scared of failure. I am relentlessly driven to make things happen no matter what.
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR 18-YEAR-OLD SELF?
Patience will reward.
TELL US ABOUT A MOMENT THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE.
Becoming a father was one of the most memorable moments. It’s a feeling that you just can’t describe, you have to be there to feel it.
WHAT’S THE NEXT BIG PERSONAL OR CAREER CHALLENGE YOU PLAN TO TAKE ON?
Successfully continue and consolidate the growth that we have been achieving. This is a marathon not a race.
WHAT CONCERNS YOU MOST ABOUT THE FUTURE?
The world that our next generations will inherit.
WHAT GIVES YOU THE MOST HOPE ABOUT THE FUTURE?
Be involved in raising my children.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE FOR FUTURE FORTY UNDER 40 HONOREES?
Surround yourself with experts. The best CPAs, attorneys, insurance agents, bonding company and bankers. They will make you succeed in life.
DO YOU PLAN TO BE IN THE CAPITAL REGION FIVE YEARS FROM NOW? WHY OR WHY NOT?
Yes, our business is local.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST HOPE FOR BATON ROUGE?
That it rebuilds stronger.
DO YOU HAVE A BUCKET LIST? IF SO, WHAT ARE THE TOP 3 THINGS ON IT?
- Traveling with my family around the world.
- Retire at the beach.
- Learn how to surf.
