Over Two Decades of Doing It Right

Roofing Roots

Joseph K. Lamb Jr., the owner of Gulf Western Roofing, was 8 years old when his family moved from Washington D.C. to Davie, Florida for a new challenge. His father, Joseph K. Lamb Sr. and uncle, Richard, purchased R&J Roofing. Just a few years later, at the young age of 13, Joseph Lamb Jr. was already gaining experience in the roofing industry.

Working with his father and uncle, Joseph pressure-cleaned, set and repaired tile roofs, carried hot asphalt, completed dry-ins and metals—and even helped haul pea rock to the dump trucks.

As his father’s business continued to grow, Joseph Jr. attended Tulane University before transferring to the University of Florida to study Construction Management. He became a licensed roofing contractor in the 1980s, and later acquired his building contractors license in the 1990s.

Joseph Sr. and Richard ran R&J Roofing until 1982 when they formed R&J Roofing of Palm Beach, Inc., and moved the operation to Boca Raton, Florida. During this time, Joseph Lamb Jr. was project manager for the largest asphalt shingle project in the United States, The Bluffs in Jupiter, Florida—a project by Burg and Divosta.

As Joseph Jr. was broadening his experience, R&J Roofing of Palm Beach was also undergoing rapid growth, expanding to Naples in 1993 and appropriately changing the name to R&J Roofing of Florida. Joseph Lamb Jr. ran the Naples expansion until 1997, when he formed his own contracting company, Lamb Construction Group. Two years later, Joseph Lamb Jr. created Gulf Western Roofing under Lamb Construction Group.

Resilience and Innovation

The Gulf Western Group Journey

1975: A New Beginning in Florida

At just eight years old, Joseph K. Lamb Jr. (JKL) moved to Davie, Florida, marking the beginning of a lifelong journey in the construction industry.

1980: First Steps in Roofing

At 13, JKL took his first roofing job with his father’s and uncle's business, R&J Roofing, starting his hands-on education in the craft.

1992: Weathering the Storm

Category Five Hurricane Andrew made landfall in Southwest Florida, deeply impacting the region and the construction industry which JKL would soon lead.

1997: Emergence and Inception

The Lamb family relocated to Bonita Springs. After 17 years, JKL left the R&J Roofing family business to carve his own path, founding Lamb Construction Group.

1998: Establishing Roots

The Lamb family moved to Naples. JKL earned his Florida Building Contractor License, laying the foundation for future success.

1999: Gulf Western Roofing & Sheet Metal is Born

Gulf Western Roofing & Sheet Metal (GWR&SM) was founded, with the company’s first two computers networked—a small yet significant step in embracing technology early on.

2002: Building Stronger Foundations

The establishment of the Florida Building Code set new industry standards, which GWR&SM adopted as part of its commitment to excellence.

2004: Facing Hurricane Charley

Category Four Hurricane Charley’s landfall tested the resilience of communities GWR&SM would help rebuild.

2005: A Headquarters for Growth

Ground was broken for the GWR&SM headquarters on Racetrack Road in Bonita Springs, marking the start of a new chapter.

Hurricane Wilma

Another test of strength came as Hurricane Wilma, a Category Four storm, struck Southwest Florida.

2015: Defining Our Core Values

Gulf Western Roofing introduced its Core Values during an all-employee event at Westgate River Ranch Resort, setting the tone for its culture and vision.

2016: Gulf Western Group Evolution

GWR&SM restructured and emerged as Gulf Western Group (GWG), reflecting its broader scope and ambitious goals.

2017: Hurricane Irma

Hurricane Irma, a Category Four hurricane, hit Southwest Florida, again underscoring the need for robust, resilient construction practices.

Surpassing Milestones

GWR reached $25 million in sales, a significant achievement marking continued growth.

2021: Continuing the Momentum

By year-end, GWR surpassed $45 million in sales, doubling its revenue in only four years.

2022: New Leadership

Keith Reece became a partner, strengthening GWR’s leadership team.

Hurricane Ian

Catastrophic damage occurred as Category 4+ Hurricane Ian pushed a 10-15 ft. storm surge into Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel Island and Bonita Springs.

2023: Expansion

A new chapter unfolded as the company obtained licenses in 45 of Florida’s 67 counties and launched operations in Sarasota and Tampa.

2025: A New Coast, A New Chapter

GWR takes another leap forward by launching service along Florida’s East Coast, continuing its steady growth and commitment to quality statewide.

1975: A New Beginning in Florida

At just eight years old, Joseph K. Lamb Jr. (JKL) moved to Davie, Florida, marking the beginning of a lifelong journey in the construction industry.

1980: First Steps in Roofing

At 13, JKL took his first roofing job with his father’s and uncle's business, R&J Roofing, starting his hands-on education in the craft.

1992: Weathering the Storm

Category Five Hurricane Andrew made landfall in Southwest Florida, deeply impacting the region and the construction industry which JKL would soon lead.

1997: Emergence and Inception

The Lamb family relocated to Bonita Springs. After 17 years, JKL left the R&J Roofing family business to carve his own path, founding Lamb Construction Group.

1998: Establishing Roots

The Lamb family moved to Naples. JKL earned his Florida Building Contractor License, laying the foundation for future success.

1999: Gulf Western Roofing & Sheet Metal is Born

Gulf Western Roofing & Sheet Metal (GWR&SM) was founded, with the company’s first two computers networked—a small yet significant step in embracing technology early on.

2002: Building Stronger Foundations

The establishment of the Florida Building Code set new industry standards, which GWR&SM adopted as part of its commitment to excellence.

2004: Facing Hurricane Charley

Category Four Hurricane Charley’s landfall tested the resilience of communities GWR&SM would help rebuild.

2005: A Headquarters for Growth

Ground was broken for the GWR&SM headquarters on Racetrack Road in Bonita Springs, marking the start of a new chapter.

Hurricane Wilma

Another test of strength came as Hurricane Wilma, a Category Four storm, struck Southwest Florida.

2015: Defining Our Core Values

Gulf Western Roofing introduced its Core Values during an all-employee event at Westgate River Ranch Resort, setting the tone for its culture and vision.

2016: Gulf Western Group Evolution

GWR&SM restructured and emerged as Gulf Western Group (GWG), reflecting its broader scope and ambitious goals.

2017: Hurricane Irma

Hurricane Irma, a Category Four hurricane, hit Southwest Florida, again underscoring the need for robust, resilient construction practices.

Surpassing Milestones

GWR reached $25 million in sales, a significant achievement marking continued growth.

2021: Continuing the Momentum

By year-end, GWR surpassed $45 million in sales, doubling its revenue in only four years.

2022: New Leadership

Keith Reece became a partner, strengthening GWR’s leadership team.

Hurricane Ian

Catastrophic damage occurred as Category 4+ Hurricane Ian pushed a 10-15 ft. storm surge into Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel Island and Bonita Springs.

2023: Expansion

A new chapter unfolded as the company obtained licenses in 45 of Florida’s 67 counties and launched operations in Sarasota and Tampa.

2025: A New Coast, A New Chapter

GWR takes another leap forward by launching service along Florida’s East Coast, continuing its steady growth and commitment to quality statewide.

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