In industries where resilience and precision define success, the power to protect and fortify lies at the very core of innovation and responsibility. Every project undertaken reflects these values, ensuring safety and sustainability stand above all else. It is within such a realm of unwavering dedication and continuous growth that leaders emerge, shaping not only their companies but also setting new standards for the entire industry.
Estefania Roa, Owner and CEO of L.B. Hall Fireproofing, exemplifies this leadership through her visionary approach and steadfast commitment. Having joined the company as Vice President in 2013 and becoming its full owner and president in 2022, Estefania has transformed the company into a respected minority- and women-owned business known for excellence in fireproofing and insulation services. Her leadership is marked by humility, determination, and a strong desire to create opportunities and elevate both her team and the company. Estefania’s journey, from overcoming personal challenges to leading a thriving enterprise, is a testament to her resilience and inspiring vision for the future of L.B. Hall Fireproofing.
Building Success Through Perseverance and Vision
Estefania Roa was born in Mexico and raised by her grandparents. Her early years were marked by difficult experiences, including family separation and childhood abuse, which she kept private for many years. Rather than letting these challenges define her, they shaped her persistence and resolve. At the age of 15, she became a mother, which gave her a strong sense of purpose and urgency.
Determined to build a better future, she worked various jobs while studying subjects such as payroll and insurance to understand how businesses operate. Eventually, she faced an unexpected opportunity: to revive a bankrupt specialty contractor. Estefania took a chance on herself, accepted the risk, and began rebuilding the company carefully—one contract, one team member, and one process at a time. This journey led her to become the owner and CEO of L.B. Hall Fireproofing.
Navigating Challenges to Build a Stronger Future
L.B. Hall has a long and established history. The business was founded in 1949 and incorporated in 1990, which explains why both dates are often referenced. This longevity reflects decades of expertise in spray-applied fireproofing and insulation, earning recognition such as from the Better Business Bureau.
When Estefania Roa took over to revive the company, it faced significant challenges including debt, legal disputes, and an empty project backlog. She concentrated on three key priorities: stabilizing cash flow, rebuilding client trust, and establishing clear procedures for quality and safety. The process was difficult—she mortgaged assets, faced personal losses, and endured criticism. However, this experience helped establish the company’s core values: clear communication, reliable delivery, and taking full responsibility for outcomes.
Awards & Recognitions
- Women Worth Watching® in Leadership (2023)
- Daily Herald Suburban Business:
- Influential Women in Business (2023)
- Diversity in Business Honoree (2023)
- Negocios Now: 50 Fast Growing Hispanic Businesses (2023)
Certifications & Accreditations
- BBB A+ Accreditation since 2018
- WBE (City of Chicago)
- FBE (Illinois CMS)
Leading Through Coaching and Culture
Since taking over L.B. Hall in January 2013, Estefania has led the company with a clear belief: projects succeed when people are coached to lead and communicate effectively. What sets L.B. Hall apart is not just the products or services, but its culture of teaching that develops confident leaders and skilled communicators in the field.
The company runs an internal Leadership & Communication Academy with workshops, jobsite labs, and one-on-one coaching focused on three main areas: field leadership essentials, communication skills, and quality ownership. Leadership development follows a coach-the-coach system where foremen coach leads, and leads mentor apprentices, ensuring continuous growth. Daily jobsite communication includes huddles, check-ins, and end-of-day reviews to quickly address issues and improve work processes. Estefania Roa also personally mentors emerging leaders, especially women, and supports this mission through her HOLA HAPPY Foundation, which provides education and career resources to young single mothers. This coaching and culture of open communication lead to higher quality work, less rework, and smoother inspections.
L.B. Hall Fireproofing: At-a-Glance
- 76 Years in Business (est. 1949)
- A+ BBB Accreditation since 2018
- Ownership: Estefania Roa since Jan 2013
- Core Services: Cementitious & intumescent fireproofing, thermal & acoustical insulation
- Certifications: WBE (City of Chicago), FBE (State of Illinois CMS), DBE, MBE, WBE (Illinois)
- Service Area: Chicagoland & Midwest (IL, IN, WI, MN, ND)
- Projects: Thousands (hospitals, schools, airports, warehouses, etc.)
- Key Recognitions:
- Negocios Now “50 Fast Growing Hispanic Businesses” (2023)
- Women Worth Watching® in Leadership (2023)
- Influential Women in Business/Diversity in Business honoree (2023)
- Team Size: ~20–50 employees (varies by project)
Cash Flow Lessons from Leadership in Construction
Estefania Roa explains, “Cash flow in construction can be brutal. Waiting 60–90 days for payment while payroll and material costs are weekly realities tests any entrepreneur.” She learned to negotiate milestone-based billing, diversify the client base, and closely monitor work-in-progress. Most importantly, she practiced transparency with her team—sharing the challenges and inviting their input on solutions. This approach helped build the resilience needed for the company’s growth.
Transparent Practices for Quality and Compliance
L.B. Hall Fireproofing upholds strict standards for quality, safety, and compliance by following published UL designs and all relevant building codes. The company maintains full transparency with general contractors by defining clear scopes of work, submitting requests for information when project conditions change, and documenting any owner-driven delays. Field leaders conduct daily safety meetings, perform task hazard analyses, and are authorized to stop work if unsafe conditions arise. For clients, L.B. Hall provides complete and transparent documentation for any changes and detailed closeout packages, ensuring inspections and future maintenance processes are straightforward and efficient.
Managing Complex Projects with Precision and Care
In a recent healthcare expansion project in Chicagoland, the construction schedule became tight just as the steel was delivered. L.B. Hall Fireproofing responded by proposing night shifts and phased installation to keep the project on track. It used substrate checks and monitored humidity levels to prevent failures and strengthened quality control with thickness measurements (DFT) at critical connection points. The company’s superintendents held daily meetings and worked closely with the general contractor to free up areas early for subsequent trades. As a result, the project’s critical path was maintained, inspections were passed on the first try, and the owner was able to meet their planned opening date.
Measuring Success Beyond the Bottom Line
L.B. Hall Fireproofing measures success not only through financial results but also by focusing on three key areas that drive long-term value. Client trust is monitored by tracking on-time first-pass inspections and the time taken to complete punchlists, which serve as early signs of satisfaction. The company prioritizes its people by retaining top-performing foremen and craft workers, promoting internally, and engaging actively in safety through near-miss reporting. Community impact is also fundamental; through the HOLA HAPPY Foundation, more than ten scholarships have been awarded to young single mothers and teens, along with mentoring partnerships in Latin America—an effort personally meaningful to Estefania Roa .
Building Strong Partnerships for Growth
L.B. Hall Fireproofing actively pursues partnerships that align with its mission and values. The company continues its involvement with organizations such as Professional Women in Construction & Chicago and UNIDOS in Construction, as well as participation in major industry events. These collaborations help L.B. Hall promote supplier diversity, workforce development, and safety excellence. Through these platforms, the company builds strong partnerships with project owners and general contractors across the Chicago area, supporting long-term growth and industry leadership.
Effective Scheduling and Team Support in Action
When a client needed to compress a project schedule, L.B. Hall Fireproofing worked closely with them to redesign the workflow—using micro-phases, night shifts, and early-release zones for other trades. The team explained the reasons behind these changes to the crew, ensured shifts were rotated to protect everyone’s rest, and celebrated successful first-pass inspections together. This example highlights the company’s culture of accountability, clear communication, and genuine care for the team and project outcomes.
Honors Reflecting Growth and Industry Impact
Estefania Roa and L.B. Hall Fireproofing have been recognized consistently by leading industry and business publications for their commitment to diversity, growth, and leadership excellence. These features reflect the company’s impact on the construction industry as well as Estefania’s influence as a trailblazing leader. Notable recent recognitions include:
- Recognized for awards in diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as growth achievements (PRWeb, September 2023)
https://www.prweb.com/releases/suburban-chicago-based-latina-ceo-estefania-roa-receives-awards-for-lb-hall-fireproofing-publications-recognize-owner-for-her-diversity-and-inclusion-efforts-301920216.html - Finalist for Outstanding Women in Construction and honoree for Influential Women in Business (PRWeb, November 2023)
https://www.prweb.com/releases/chicagoland-fireproofing-company-ceo-estefania-roa-earns-two-awards-reflecting-on-business-leadership-301983914.html - Featured profile in Construction Business Owner Magazine (December 2023)
- Women Worth Watching® Leadership profile (October 2023)
https://womenworthwatching.com
This collection of recognitions highlights their ongoing leadership and innovation in the trades and business community.
The Human Side of Construction Innovation
In 2025, gaining a competitive edge in construction will depend on human-centered operations—developing leadership pipelines, mastering communication, and fostering inclusive mentoring, all supported by effective tools. L.B. Hall Fireproofing is leading this shift with several key strategies.
First, leadership pipelines are used as a strategy to address labor shortages by standardizing coaching across roles, creating clear paths from apprentice to superintendent. Communication is a key differentiator, with training focused on providing proactive updates, identifying risks early, and handling difficult conversations to prevent schedule delays. Digital tools like checklists and quality control dashboards are valuable when crews are trained to use them as communication tools, not just paperwork. Cross-functional pairings between field leads and project managers enhance coordination on critical tasks. A culture of psychological safety encourages workers to speak up through stop-work authority and structured debriefs, reducing incidents and accelerating learning.
Inclusion and mentoring are also amplified through expanded mentoring circles and partnerships. Through Estefania Roa’s HOLA HAPPY Foundation, L.B. Hall continues to increase access to education and career development for those who need it most, strengthening the talent pipeline and improving jobsite quality. These practices reflect the company’s long-standing belief since 2013: build people first, then build projects. Workforce development remains a priority, especially for training and retaining women and underrepresented groups in the trades.
Leading with Safety, Technology, and Inclusion
For 2025 and beyond, L.B. Hall Fireproofing aims to grow strategically by focusing on schedule-critical and safety-intensive projects where its expertise delivers the most value. The company plans to enhance digital quality assurance by standardizing photo-verified checklists and improving document control. Strengthening partnerships with owners and general contractors who share their commitment to safety, inclusion, and timely project delivery is a priority. Additionally, L.B. Hall will expand mentoring efforts through partnerships with organizations like UNIDOS and its own initiatives to create more career opportunities for women and underrepresented groups in the trades. These goals build on the company’s ongoing commitment to people-first leadership and operational excellence.
Open Letter to Emerging Leaders
Dear Emerging Leaders,
Your past is a teacher, not a jailer. Lead yourself first—own your habits, always tell the truth, especially when it’s difficult, and remain committed to continuous learning. Build teams where people feel safe to speak up and suggest changes when needed. In construction, your reputation is your most valuable asset: deliver on your promises, and if you cannot, communicate openly and early. Mentorship is essential; always lift others as you rise.
Remember, resilience is a daily practice—show up one more day than the challenges you face.
Sincerely,
Estefania Roa, Owner and CEO
L.B. Hall Fireproofing
Forging Resilience: 5 Pillars of Leadership from Estefania Roa
- Grit Transforms Adversity: Estefania Roa’s leadership is founded on sheer determination, turning personal hardships and a bankrupt company into a successful, respected enterprise, proving that resilience is the ultimate business asset.
- Invest in People to Win Projects: Success at L.B. Hall stems from its focus on developing its team through the Leadership & Communication Academy. By coaching field personnel, the company ensures high-quality work and effective jobsite performance.
- Financial Health Demands Transparency: To conquer the “brutal” construction cash flow cycle, Roa prioritized open communication about finances with her team, alongside strategic billing and strict monitoring, building a resilient economic foundation.
- Inclusion is a Talent Strategy: The company actively strengthens the talent pipeline and industry by promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion through certifications and the HOLA HAPPY Foundation, creating opportunities for underrepresented groups.
- Quality is Communicated and Documented: L.B. Hall maintains its reputation by emphasizing proactive communication (huddles, early-risk identification) and transparent documentation of all work and changes, ensuring safety and first-pass inspections.
