If you ask Antonio Iniguez, CEO of Empire Roofing, how he ended up owning and leading a growing commercial and residential roofing company in Salem, Oregon area, his answer isn’t the typical business success story. It’s something more personal, and a whole lot more inspiring.
“We never thought we’d be running a company out here,” Antonio said, recalling the day he and his wife packed up their lives in Louisiana and moved to Oregon in 2019. “We didn’t really have any friends or family here, so it took us a while to really learn and get adapted to this region.” Antonio and his wife are very grateful. “I think Oregon has provided us a blank canvas for us to paint whatever we want on, and it’s been great,” he shared with a smile.
What started as a leap of faith became a journey of grit, growth, and second chances. After working in the roofing industry for nearly eight years, and focusing mostly on commercial systems, Antonio took the plunge in 2023 and launched Empire Roofing. With a solid foundation of knowledge and a clear vision, he and his wife began building something truly special. “We decided to start our business, and we haven’t looked back since,” Antonio said with conviction.
A Team That Feels Like Family
Empire Roofing began with just four employees and has more than doubled since then. But for Antonio, it’s not about numbers. “I don’t need a big team of guys. I need a good team,” he said.
Now leading a crew of ten, Antonio has intentionally built a workplace culture that prioritizes quality, accountability, and trust. “We’ve hand-selected the guys that are going to be all in and are going to meet the vision and our goals here at the company.”
That shared vision includes creating an environment where people can thrive, not just professionally, but personally. It’s something that Antonio holds close, because it reflects his own journey.
Leading with Sobriety and Support
At the heart of Empire Roofing is a powerful personal mission. Antonio is approaching four years of sobriety, and his experience has deeply influenced how he runs the company. “I struggled with alcoholism most of my upbringing,” he shared. “and I want to share that with a lot of the guys that are coming into construction and into the company, to be able to, one, get help if you are struggling with it, and two, give you the opportunity to build a career in my company or any other company, but have a structure and discipline to make those changes in your life…to change the trajectory of where it could lead. Because small wins lead to big wins, and I want to share that with everybody. That whatever the struggles are, does not define who you can be in the next five years.”
Antonio has made it a point to hire people who are committed to bettering themselves—and he makes sure they know there’s help available if they need it. “I always ask upfront, do you struggle with alcohol or drugs? If you do, that’s not a deal breaker. I just want to connect people with support,” he explained. “I recommend Roofers in Recovery a lot. It’s one of the best resources out there.”
He’s seen firsthand how addiction can affect job performance and team morale. “I’ve hired some really good guys, but if they’re dealing with addiction, it creates a dark cloud over the whole crew. And I’ve been there. I know what that feels like.”
The culture he has built is rooted in discipline and transparency. And his commitment to that mission isn’t just about roofing, it’s about rewriting what it means to work in construction. “There’s a stigma in construction, especially around drinking. I think it’s time we start changing that,” he said.
Commercial Roofing in Salem, Oregon and a Vision for More
Empire Roofing serves both residential and commercial clients, but Antonio is focused on expanding the commercial side of the business. “We’ve got a really solid team for commercial work right now,” he said. “I want us to get more involved in city development projects, multi-family buildings, bigger commercial jobs. We’ve handled projects bigger than most people think.”
The company has learned to balance both sides of the business. “Residential keeps the cash flow steady during the winter, and in the summer, we shift more into commercial projects,” Antonio said. “We want people to know we’re here and we’re ready for the big stuff.”
And while Empire Roofing is still a newer name in the Salem roofing world, Antonio’s not afraid of the slow climb. “We know we’re a small fish right now, but we’re going to make some noise.”
Roots in Salem and on the Ranch
When Antonio talks about Salem, it’s with real affection. “The people here have changed our lives,” he said. After living in places like Chicago, Louisiana, and Texas, he noticed a big difference in the local culture. “In Salem, if you’re a good-hearted person and you’re here to do good, it comes back to you tenfold.”
His early days in the city weren’t spent under rooftops, either. Before launching Empire Roofing, Antonio was an artist participating in live painting events downtown. That creative energy and community involvement gave him a unique way to connect with people and it also led him to an unexpected new passion.
“I met a rancher when I was looking for some skulls for my art,” he said with a laugh. That meeting turned into a mentorship, which led Antonio and his wife to get involved in the Longhorn Association and even buy their own ranch and a herd of Longhorns. “If you’d told me in 2019 this is where I’d be in five years, I would’ve said you were crazy.”
Now, when he’s not on a job site or mentoring his team, you’ll find Antonio on the ranch or exploring Oregon’s outdoors with his family. “I don’t really go out to bars or anything anymore,” he said. “Since I got sober, we’ve just shifted. It’s a quieter, more peaceful life. And I love it.”
Moving Forward with Purpose
At the end of the day, Antonio isn’t just building roofs, he’s building a legacy. His story is one of redemption, family, faith, and good old-fashioned hard work. And he’s hoping it inspires others along the way.
“I want to be a motivation to younger guys who are struggling,” he said. “There are good resources out there. You don’t have to stay stuck. You can change your life.”
Empire Roofing is proof of that. It’s more than a business, it’s a community, a support system, and a second chance. For Antonio and his team, every project is a chance to do excellent work while showing what’s possible when you lead with integrity.
If you’re looking for commercial roofing in Salem, Oregon, or just want to support a local business that truly walks the talk, Empire Roofing might be exactly who you’re looking for.
To connect with Antonio and the team, reach out via social media, email, or phone. They’re responsive, ready to help, and always open to new opportunities to serve the community.
Featured Place
