Mission Control

Podcast

Mike Stearns interviews Pancho Serrano, founder of Roofers Going Digital, about his journey from corporate BMW in Mexico to the U.S. roofing industry. Pancho shares his transition into commercial roofing sales and the launch of his agency focused on a three-pillar LinkedIn strategy. The conversation highlights building authentic brands and maintaining networking fundamentals as AI changes the digital landscape.

Mike interviews Sheldon Murphy from TSM Roofing and Raymond Wendell Little from Perimeter Roofing about recruiting top sales talent and scaling roofing businesses. They discuss different approaches to hiring salespeople, transitioning from boss to leader in the 1099 model, and building high-performance cultures. The conversation covers why salespeople fail, motivating reps, and navigating industry challenges like insurance compliance.

In this episode of the Mission Control podcast, host Mike sits down with Michael Gogan, Vice President of Sales at Alivo, to explore how AI agents are transforming the roofing and home services industry. Gogan explains how Alivo’s AI agents, Lily and Evan, solve the critical problem of unanswered calls by handling voice calls, appointment booking, and automated text follow-ups. The discussion includes strategic advice for 2026, emphasizing efficient lead intake and building trust through localized video testimonials.

Mike sits down with Sheldon Murphy, founder of TSM Roofing in Arizona, to explore the operational realities of scaling a business and navigating the chaotic growth phase by establishing organizational clarity. They dive into a recent crisis where TSM Roofing was targeted by fake Google reviews and the exact steps they took to remove them in less than 24 hours. The episode also covers the critical importance of modernizing communication and using speed to lead strategies to capture leads 24/7.

Mike interviews David Carroll, founder of DOPE Marketing, about his remarkable transformation from spending four years in prison to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the contractor space. David shares insights on reinventing yourself, overcoming destructive habits, practicing gratitude, and the internal work required to build a meaningful business while navigating sobriety and fatherhood.

Austin Fricker, Owner and CEO of A. Fricker Roofing & Waterproofing, shares how he’s built one of the most respected roofing companies in his market through culture, leadership, and understanding key business numbers. He discusses managing chaos after storms, refining systems for growth and profit, building teams that thrive under pressure, and balancing revenue goals with healthy margins while focusing on long-term legacy over short-term wins.

Mike interviews Larry Landwher, owner of Grand View Roofing & Exteriors in New Jersey, about his journey from subcontractor to business owner. Larry shares how he overcame burnout, implemented systems that saved his business, and scaled from 11 to 34 employees in just one year. They discuss the mental challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of vulnerability and networking, and practical strategies for contractors dealing with growth and burnout.

Mike sits down with Adam Fedale, CEO of G. Fedale Roofing & Siding, a family-run company with multiple locations across the East Coast. Adam shares insights on building and scaling a business with his brothers, the challenges of mixing family with entrepreneurship, and why clear expectations and accountability are essential for success. They discuss core values, company culture, handling difficult customers, implementing effective SOPs, and leadership principles that keep 85+ employees aligned and thriving.

Mike sits down with Brock McClelland, owner of McClelland’s Contracting & Roofing in Pittsburgh, to discuss what it takes to build a lasting company. Brock shares insights on competing in an oversaturated roofing market, maintaining standards while competitors cut corners, and keeping 30+ employees aligned under one vision. He covers the importance of educating homeowners, building company culture, and the non-negotiables that have shaped his success.

Mike sits down with Brock McClelland, Owner of McClelland Contracting & Roofing in Pittsburgh, for a raw conversation about his journey overcoming addiction and rebuilding his life. Brock shares how discipline helped him transform into the man, father, and business owner he is today. This personal discussion covers faith, family, fitness, and finding purpose through life’s hardest challenges.

Mike sits down with Jay Bradley, founder of Roof Nuts, to discuss building high-performing roofing sales teams. Jay shares strategies for hiring the right sales reps, training them to close deals quickly, and avoiding common costly mistakes that most roofing contractors make. The conversation covers cold calling, door-to-door lead generation, and proven sales training methods.

In this episode of the Mission Control Podcast, Mike sits down with Nick Peret, founder of Better Boss, to discuss how AI and automation are reshaping the roofing industry. Nick shares his journey from running a lead generation company to building Better Boss and developing tools like Roof GPT that help contractors save time, increase close rates, and eliminate the stress of endless follow-ups. They explore the biggest pain points roofers face and why contractors who embrace AI tools will have a serious advantage in the years ahead.