IRVINE, Calif. — Antis Roofing & Waterproofing Founder and CEO Charles Antis won’t be in the office Friday, but it’s not because he’s going on vacation.
Instead, he is taking part in an event called Leaders Build Challenge – a unique one-day construction building competition that mobilizes business and community leaders across a plethora of industries to help build affordable homes for families who otherwise couldn't afford it.
This year the event is being held May 17 and work will be done in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity of Orange County.
Giving back to community is a big part of how Antis operates as he told Roofing Contractor in November 2018.
It started shortly after he launched his company in 1989 and had a profound experience at the home of a single mother that was a potential customer.
“Upon walking in the front door, I was overwhelmed by the strong and distinct smell of mildew. As I stood there, unable to avoid breathing in the toxic air, the youngest daughter grabbed my hand to proudly show off her home,” Antis said.
“When she led me into her bedroom I witnessed a sight I would never forget: four mattresses with moldy bedding,” Antis said. “I realized the family could not afford a new roof, let alone new sheets.”
The struggling entrepreneur scraped together low-cost roofing materials and a group of volunteers to provide a free roof for the family.
“The gratification of helping this family infused me with a passion for giving, and little did I know it would become the impetus for changing my entire business model,” he said.
The spirit of giving and social responsibility inspired Antis to investigate what changes could be made throughout the entire company so that it could give while also keeping the company’s success at the forefront — and enable what the company calls “give-back work.”
Today, Antis is a member of the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity of Orange County. In 2014, Habitat OC awarded him Volunteer of the Year award. Antis was the Leaders Build Day co-chair for Habitat OC from 2014 -2016. Antis has donated every roof to Habitat of Humanity’s Orange County builds since 2009.
Antis also is a board member of the Orange County Ronald McDonald House and co-chair of the capital campaign committee to expand the house. In 2016, he proposed to the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) to “lift the brand of roofing across the nation” by forming the first ever nonprofit partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities in a 30-year old trade association.
Further, he is on the executive council of the Orange County United Way United 2 End Homelessness.
Antis is set to be a speaker during Roofing Contractor’s Best of Success event set for Sept. 15-17 in Miami. The two-day educational and networking event is designed to help contractors implement ideas to improve their businesses.
