Working his way up the ranks of the company founded by his grandfather Les “Skip” Cleasby in 1949, John Cleasby honed his expertise in the roofing supply industry from a young age. John was only 12-years-old when he started working under his father, Les “Skip” Cleasby, Jr, sweeping the floors, putting away inventory and helping customers at the counter.

John was just a teenager when he started calling on his first customers in the Bay Area.  His education on the job site provided valuable insight into how the equipment was used in a real time setting.

It was not until 1989, following his graduation from the University of Pacific with a degree in Business and Public Administration, that John became a full time employee and the third generation of Cleasby’s to manage the company.

John serves on several roofing organization boards, along with teaching equipment use and equipment safety for several of these organizations. He has taught at the Apprentice Training Program and he has held many safety and equipment classes for contractors and their crew.

The boards he serves on include: the Western States Roofing Contractors Association Advisory board, Independent Roofing Contractors Association, Roofing Contractors Association of California, and the California Metal Trades Association.

In 1972, the elder Cleasby passed away leaving the business to John’s father, who served the company for 43 years before selling the business to John in 2003. His responsibilities managing the overall operation include overseeing human resources, production and product development, with a focus on sales and marketing.

Cleasby Manufacturing began its rich history when Leslie John Cleasby formed a partnership with Fred Wittig, opening the doors to Cleasby-Wittig Co., Inc in September 1949 serving San Francisco’s roofing supply needs.

By 1968, the company leadership transferred to Cleasby’s only child, Leslie Cleasby Jr., who was known as Skip. His charter was to grow the company to the national level from its well-known name on the West Coast. Cleasby purchased all of the company stock and changed the name to Cleasby Manufacturing Co., Inc. Acquisitions of manufacturing companies in Denver and Clearfield, UT, followed, as well as the establishment of a distribution warehouse in Riverside, CA.

Cleasby’s children John, Karen and Kathleen helped build on the family legacy by adding diversification to the formula. Cleasby manufactures and distributes more than 200 products including custom fabricated fittings used for general construction to heavy equipment built to store and/or transport asphalt and emulsions used for roofing and maintenance.

Cleasby Manufacturing is a member on many industry organizations including:

Arizona Roofing Contractors Association (ARCA)
http://www.azroofing.org/

Bay Area Roofing Contractors Association (BARCA)
http://www.arcbac.org/

Colorado Roofing Organization (CRA)
http://www.coloradoroofing.org

Independent Roofing Contractors Association (IRCC)
http://www.ircc.org/

National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)
http://www.nrca.net/

New Mexico Roofing Contractors Association (NMRCA)
http://www.nmrca.com/

Northern California Contractors Association (NCECA)
http://www.nceca.org/

Roofing Contractors Association of California (RCAC)
http://www.rcacal.com/

Utah Roofing Contractors Association (URCA)
http://www.roofingutah.org/

Western States Contractors Roofing Association (WSCRA)
http://www.wsrca.com