Andres Serva: Trading His Badge for a Roofer’s License
By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter
SUNNYVALE — After trying out a career in law enforcement, Andres Serva decided to leave the Force and join the roofing industry. “I became a police officer in 2016, but after a few years I started to consider other career options,” he recounts. “Working in law enforcement was becoming more challenging due to all the politics and liability involved. Also, the job required a substantial time commitment. My father-in-law was a roofing contractor, so I became interested in the field and eventually decided to make the change. I started out in a minor role and worked my way up to management. After gaining further experience, I decided it was time to branch off and start my own company. That was in 2020, a challenging year to start a business, but fortunately it wasn’t as tough as I’d expected and we made it through.”
Today, as owner of Sersiv Roofing Corporation, Andres says he enjoys the freedom of being his own boss. “One thing I love about having my own business is that I get to do things my way. I have the freedom to innovate and implement new products and ways of doing things. It’s a big difference from being an employee—or a police officer, for that matter!”
A resident of Sunnyvale (where he lives with his wife, Giovanna, and his son, Devin), Andres spends his time outside of work on a variety of activities. “I spend most of my time with my wife, whether at home or out and about. We like going to different restaurants, sightseeing, going to the movies, attending San Francisco Giants games and traveling out of town to places like Big Sur.”
In regard to a professional philosophy, Andres espouses the value of an everlasting education. “My mantra is, ‘Never stop learning,’” he says. “I never want to become complacent, so I’m always willing to try and learn new things. As a roofer, that means staying up-to-date with the latest techniques and technologies, as well as utilizing the latest and greatest methods for administration and advertising. Things are always evolving and you can never know everything, so it’s good to keep learning and growing.”
When asked what he would do if he were to retire tomorrow, Andres says he would see the world. “I would go traveling with my wife. The first place we would probably go is Italy. I’m half Italian, so that has been on my bucket list for a long time.”
Ask Me Anything!
Q: What’s your favorite local restaurant?
A: Good Karma Artisan Ales & Café in San Jose.
Q: Are you an early bird or a night owl?
A: I’ve evolved—I used to be a night owl, but since getting into roofing I’ve become an early bird.
Q: What’s your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?
A: Stay in and watch movies.
Q: If you could time travel, would you go to the past or the future?
A: Neither—I like being in the present.
Q: What’s your favorite holiday?
A: Christmas.
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