Our History
The history of HOMETOWN ROOFING is one that combines years of experience and expertise with the energy and vision of a new generation. The company started in 1969 as Jensen Brothers Roofing which Ray Archibald acquired and rebranded as HOMETOWN ROOFING in the 1980s. In 2001, Malcolm Watt, who had worked for the company since the mid-1980s, purchased Hometown and ran it successfully for almost 20 years. When they were ready to sell, they turned to Brett Huizenga, a young businessman who was ready to make his mark on the industry.
Brett is a UNO graduate who grew up in Millard and holds Midwestern values close to his heart. After graduating, he began a career in investment and advising with TD Ameritrade and married his wife Amanda who had grown up in the roofing industry. Her father has been involved in the roofing industry for over 40 years including operating Roofing Supply Group. On a serendipitous overseas trip with Amanda’s Father, Brett was introduced to the owner of Hometown. At that time, Brett talked to Malcolm about his plans to one day own his own company and asked them to give him a call if he ever considered selling.
That call came in 2018. Brett had already done his research into the company and knew it had been run well and had a good reputation in the community. He also knew that he would have access to years of experience as he planned to retain much of the staff and tap the resources of the previous owner whenever needed.
Since taking over, Brett has been able to dive deeper into technology and the future of the company. He understands the value of still getting on the roof and taking a personal look at projects, but wants to enhance the company’s capabilities by incorporating technology such as drone footage and easy project photo sharing with customers. He also plans to carry on Hometown’s tradition of excellent customer service and continue to be what he calls “material agnostic”, meaning he is not dedicated to one particular brand of shingle. Hometown believes the material selection should be based on situational factors like wind, slope of roof, or even shade trees. Though Hometown does often use the Malarkey and Certainteed brands and is certified to install upgraded warranties, the team also uses Owens Corning, Atlas, and Tamko when the circumstances call for it.
With a solid history in Omaha and the surrounding communities and a new owner with a vision for the future, HOMETOWN ROOFING looks forward to serving customers into the new decade with its range of residential roofing and commercial roofing services.
Our Team
Company President
Brett Huizenga
How did you get started in the roofing industry?
I was 13 when I first helped with ground clean-up after tear-off.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?
Having my first son, Cade. Suddenly, it’s all about building a legacy for the next generation and teaching them about the important things in life.
Who inspires you the most?
This seems to change as I read exceptional books written by fantastic people, but Ray Dalio, Jocko Willnick, and Michael Jordan come to mind.
What is your favorite quote or piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“You can have anything you want in life, if you just help enough other people get what they want.” – Zig Ziglar
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Healing powers like Wolverine, but with the ability to use it on other people.
What is your favorite book or the last book you read?
Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill
What is your favorite local restaurant?
Local Bar, Patio and Garden
If you had to pick another profession to pick to be successful in, what would it be?
Space Travel or Robotics
Project Advisor
Jeff Jensen
How did you get started in the roofing industry?
I worked in a family-owned roofing business with my father and my brother.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?
With such a personal involvement in each project, finding a balance between personal and professional time can be difficult.
Tell us a bit about your family.
I have 3 beautiful daughters and their wonderful mother, my better half.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people wouldn’t know?
I have a fear of heights.
What is your favorite quote or piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Do it right or don’t do it at all.
If you could choose only one word to be remembered by, what would it be?
Honest
What is your greatest talent you don’t use in your daily work life?
I am quite adept at video games.
What talent would you like to have?
I want to be able to play the guitar or some musical instrument.
What is your favorite movie or TV show?
It varies with time, but I am a huge Sci-Fi junkie.
If you had to pick another profession to pick to be successful in, what would it be?
Medicine, as early in my life that was the plan. As it turns out, I am very good at what I do and I enjoy it.
Project Advisor
Fred
Project Advisor
Darrin Richardson
How did you get started in the roofing industry?
My first job was working for Shakers Roofing in high school and college.
Tell us a bit about your family.
I’m a dad of three children; Gabby (20), Kade (19), and Titus (16).
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?
When my wife passed away for sure. I had to bring my A-Game every day.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people wouldn’t know?
I was a yell leader in college!
Who inspires you the most?
My children. They’re amazing.
What is your favorite quote or piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“Focus on the person you’re standing in front of and talk to them, give them a firm handshake, and smile.” – Dr. Ray Cook
If you had a theme song, what would it be?
“Battle Tested” written by me
If you had to pick another profession to be successful in, what would it be?
Counselor – helping those in need.
Production Manager
Cameron Harrigton
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people wouldn’t know?
I am left-handed and played college baseball at the NAIA level.
What is your favorite quote or piece of advice you’ve ever received?
If you fail, it’s ok. “Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.”
If you could choose only one word to be remembered by, what would it be?
Hardworking or Legendary
What non-profit organization are you passionate about and why?
Wounded Warriors Family Support. My family has a lot of military background, so I think the support is needed sometimes.
What is your favorite book or the last book you read?
“Make Your Bed” by William H McRaven
What is your favorite movie/TV show?
How I Met Your Mother and The Office
What is your favorite local restaurant?
Anita’s in Fremont, Nebraska
What is your favorite thing to do on your day off?
Spend time with my girlfriend or family. I also like to fish or go shooting.
Office Manager
Brandon Wolfe
Tell us a bit about your family.
I have a wife (Janisa) and 3 boys (Oliver 8, Hudson 6, and Greyson 3)
Who inspires you the most?
My mom. She did a great job of setting an example for hard work, frugality, and perseverance
through difficult times.
What is your favorite quote or piece of advice you’ve ever received?
People don’t care about how much you know until they know how much you care.
If you could choose only one word to be remembered by, what would it be?
Integrity
What is your favorite thing to do on your day off?
Home improvement projects.
What is your favorite local restaurant? (not franchise)
Gringo’s in Fremont
Front Desk & Marketing
Natalia Higuera
Tell us a bit about your family.
I live with my parents and my younger sister. We’re very close-knit, and it’s always nice to have family around. I’m from Colombia, and my hometown is famous for its coffee fields.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?
Studying abroad changed my life. Aside from my faith, it’s been my biggest turning point—it opened my eyes to how much bigger the world.
Who inspires you the most?
My grandma. She’s always so positive and grateful for everything, and she treasures every single day like it’s a gift. She’s already 97 years old, but she still manages to carry a beautiful smile on her face all the time. I admire her heart so much. She’s just such a shining example ofhow to live life with joy and gratitude.
What is your favorite quote or piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
To speak and understand every language.
What is your greatest talent you don’t use in your daily work life?
Watercolor painting and home decor.
What is your favorite thing to do on your day off?
Hanging out with friends.
Production Coordinator
Jon Redman
Tell us a bit about your family.
I come from a small family, as an only child, with very few relatives. I live with my fiancée, and we have a cat together.
Who inspires you the most?
Julia, my fiancée, has such a beautiful and kind heart, with an incredible ability to connect and care for people, animals, and the world. I learn a lot from her every day, and I strive to be more like her.
If you had a theme song, what would it be?
At the risk of sounding nerdy, any song from Nobuo Uematsu, the legendary music composer for the Final Fantasy franchise (as a bonus, his job is to make theme songs for characters).
What is your greatest talent that you don’t use in your daily work life?
I think video editing and photography. They are both hobbies that I enjoy, but I rarely get to use them, especially on the operations/production side.
What is your favourite movie/TV show?
The Lord of the Rings, the best movie ever made.
If you had to pick another profession to pick to be successful in, what would it be?
I would love to be a score composer, making musical arrangements for movies and video games.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Teleportation. It would be cool to be anywhere at any time you want or need.
Front Desk & Insurance Coordinator
Sebas Guevara
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?
When we discovered our pregnancy, the realization hit that it wasn’t just the two of us anymore.
If you had a theme song, what would it be?
“Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles.
If you had to pick another profession to pick to be successful in, what would it be?
Deep-sea fishermen
What is your favorite quote or piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“I see you and talk to you as I’d do with my own son”
What is your favorite movie/TV show?
I love The Big Bang Theory, but right now I think I like GOT (Game of Thrones) and HOT (House of the dragon) a lot.
Who inspires you the most?
Jesus is my inspiration because of his unconditional love, compassion, and teachings of forgiveness and humility.
If you could eat dinner with one famous person, who would it be?
Keanu Reeves
Office Administrator Amanda Huizenga
How did you get started in the roofing industry?
My dad owned a roofing supply company and would roof houses on the weekends. I would help him out by cleaning out gutters, picking up nails, handing him shingles, and doing simple tasks on the roof. In high school, I worked at two different roofing supply companies doing clerical work.
What has been your most important achievement professionally?
I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and worked as a registered nurse for over 13 years at a hospital in the intensive care unit.
Tell us a bit about your family.
I’ve been married to Brett for over 10 years and we have three beautiful children, Cade, Tenley, and Cruz!
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people wouldn’t know?
I’ve been skydiving and would do it again in a heartbeat!
What is your favorite movie/TV show?
My guilty pleasure is watching The Bachelor/Bachelorette
What is your favorite local restaurant?
Fernando’s
