Presenter Information
Name: Gary van der Leek
Title: Co-Owner/Inventor, VanGalee Manufacturing Inc.
Background:
Gary van der Leek comes from a long-running background of tradesmen, engineers, architects, builders, luthiers, craftsmen, and owners of successful businesses around the globe. Gary’s grandfather started a successful sheet metal fabricating and manufacturing business that continues to thrive with the third generation of family ownership in Cape Town, South Africa. Gary’s father, a sheet metal instructor at the trade school W.P. Wagner in Edmonton, Alberta, also influenced him.
Over the last 30 years, Gary has operated Vanderleek Roofing Inc., servicing residential and commercial clients with offices in Vancouver Island, British Columbia, and Calgary, Alberta.
Over this period, Gary has trained many roofers and developed an instructional estimating course for two recipients for a Workers’ Compensation Board retraining program. Gary received his Residential Steep Roofer certification in February of 2000, and in 2019, he challenged for the Red Seal Roofer, Damp, and Waterproofer certification, acing the exam on the first challenge.
Over the years, Gary has been awarded Master Contractor status by Duro-Last Roofing. He has maintained average performance reviews of 98% on all commercial inspections on over 1.5 million square feet of product installed to date.
VanGalee FirstShake FirstSlate is owned and operated by Lesa Zimmerman and Gary van der Leek. Today, the hard work of its owners has brought this product to the marketplace, with patents pending and trademarks filed in Canada and the US. VanGalee Manufacturing Inc. aspires to globally revolutionize the construction industry toward permanent roofing, siding, and façade solutions that are not only functional but also have lasting beauty and contribute to sustainability with a low environmental impact.
