Meet Our Diamond Certified Expert Contributor

Hugo Rodriguez: On the Ball

By Julie Deacon, Diamond Certified Research Writer

When Hugo Rodriguez entered the roofing industry in the early 2000s, he knew he had found the career combination he had been waiting for: challenging, varied work and an opportunity to build a better life for his family. “My brother, Jose, brought me into roofing and I liked it right away,” he says. “Every day was different, so I wasn’t doing the same thing over and over.”

Over the next several years, Hugo honed his skills and became a journeyman roofer, gaining valuable experience in both commercial and residential roofing. When the housing market declined during the 2008 recession, he and Jose shifted their focus back to residential roofing. In 2015, the brothers realized they had enough experience and confidence to start their own company, and Roof City Inc. was born.

Today, Hugo remains actively involved in every stage of the roofing process. From removing old materials and repairing structural damage to installing the final components of a new roof, he enjoys seeing each project come together. “I like everything about the roofing process,” he affirms. “From start to finish, every step is important.”

A resident of Rio Linda for more than a decade, Hugo says he appreciates the area’s unique blend of rural charm and proximity to larger cities. “We get the country lifestyle with ranches and farm animals, but we’re also surrounded by Sacramento and Roseville, so we’re still close to everything.”

Outside of work, Hugo spends most of his free time with his wife, Rosa, and their three children. Weekend outings often include trying local restaurants, exploring new places and simply enjoying each other’s company at home. “I also like following soccer,” he adds. “I actually played professionally back in 2004. I was even lucky enough to try out for the San Jose Earthquakes.”

Looking ahead, Hugo hopes to continue growing both his business and the legacy he’s building for his family. The values that drive him are simple but deeply important: work hard and treat people well. “I just want to be a good human being and teach my kids by example,” he says. “I want them to see how I took care of my family and learn from that.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: What’s your favorite sports team?
A: FC Barcelona. I also root for the San Francisco Giants and the San Francisco 49ers.

Q: Are you a dog person or a cat person?
A: A dog person.

Q: If you could immediately travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: Spain, Italy and Israel. I’d especially like to visit Jerusalem and see the historic and religious sites.

Q: What kinds of TV shows do you enjoy watching?
A: Documentaries and soccer matches.