Linda Blanchard
Linda Blanchard is a respected leader in the commercial roofing and construction industry whose four-decade career has been defined by resilience, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to safety and education. Based in Cedar Springs, Linda began her journey working alongside her father in the family business before eventually purchasing Thermal-Tec Roofing
with her brother more than 35 years ago. What started as a small insulation and window company evolved under their leadership into one of the Midwest’s premier commercial and industrial roofing firms, specializing in metal roof restoration and repair throughout the region and across states east of the Mississippi River. Today, Thermal-Tec is nationally recognized for its innovative roofing systems, exceptional safety culture, and industry leadership.
As CEO, Linda oversees the operational and financial side of the company, including business administration, multi-state licensing, employee relations, and nationally recognized safety programs. Under her leadership, Thermal-Tec has grown into a multimillion-dollar organization with approximately 70 employees and more than $20 million in annual sales. The company has earned numerous accolades for workplace safety, including recognition as the top-ranked contractor for safety performance among thousands of contractors nationwide. Linda’s leadership philosophy centers on continuous learning, accountability, and leading with both authority and kindness. Although she originally planned to become a teacher, earning degrees in Fisheries and Wildlife as well as Education from Michigan State University, she credits her success to lifelong education, hands-on experience, and a willingness to grow beyond traditional expectations.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Linda is deeply passionate about mentorship, particularly encouraging women to pursue leadership roles in traditionally male-dominated industries. Having grown up as one of eight children in a family with limited resources, she learned early that education and perseverance could create opportunity. Throughout her career, she has remained active in organizations such as the National Association of Women in Construction, the National Roofing Contractors Association, and numerous community boards and charitable initiatives. She has also served in major leadership roles within healthcare organizations, including long-term financial oversight for Spectrum Health boards. Now celebrating more than 40 years in business, Linda continues to focus on mentoring the next generation, sharing her knowledge, and helping young women recognize that leadership, success, and impact are possible in any field they choose.
• Contractor's license in many states for construction
• Michigan State University- Bachelor's x 2
• National recognition for safety performance
• National Association of Women in Contracting (NAWIC)
• National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)
• National Safety Council
• Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC)
• United Way
• North Kent Services
• Local schools sports programs
• Local scholarship partnerships
• Layaway Angel
• Spectrum Health
What do you attribute your success to?
You know, hard work, education. I'm a giant believer in education, in any fashion. I'm not saying it has to be formal, but education, always continue to learn, always continue to read. And a beautiful family. I'm blessed with a husband of 40 years, two amazing children. And all of those things took a giant amount of work, but every ounce of it was a passion of love. I think, too, that balance, coming back a little bit to that, I think women try to... if you think you're going to, quote, have it all, you have to balance that. It can't be... it can't be, I've got to be the best mom in the world and the greatest business leader in the world. You have to do both simultaneously, but as best as you can. And you know what? Your best is great.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I'll say this one, but I don't know if... my dad told me once, he says, don't let the bastards get you down. And what that meant is being in a man-dominated world, he was very conscious of me being a female, and of me being in the field of men, and he's just like, don't let them take you out, you know, stand tall. You do it with... I met a businesswoman once who... I couldn't... I didn't know who she was at first, and then when I realized who she was, she was a very influential woman in the Grand Rapids area, and she killed him with kindness, and it was lovely to watch, because I watched all these giant people in the Grand Rapids area. So, I think... I think it's just, you know, that is a little mantra that I use.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I think my biggest advice is don't try to be a man. You know, love that you're a woman. Women lead differently, we're different in how we handle scenarios and situations. Confidence is so important, taking and believing in yourself, hard work, all of those things. I think the foundation of who we are is sometimes we want to compare ourselves, that we need to be men, and I'm in a very, very man-dominated industry. I've worked with men my whole life, but I've never pretended or tried to be like them. I've tried to be who I am as a woman, and I feel like women are the best leaders there are. We just lead differently. I mean, men are wonderful leaders, but we just lead differently, and the way we lead, I think, is so needed in our world today. But my advice would be, you know, don't try to be a man. I don't like that statement, but, you know, it's okay to be brilliant and hardworking and kind, and caring, and run the world. It's okay to do all of those things. You just need to have that confidence in yourself to take it on, and don't be afraid. Just be afraid. Risks are everything. And the payoffs always, always surpass what your risks have been.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
You know, AI, of course, is going to be... because we're in the trades, we're not as fearful of AI taking over our jobs so much, but it's how that works and integrates into what we do every day. We are huge proponents of technology and marketing and all of that. But we have a big hurdle ahead of us as to how we manage the good and evil of AI. And I think all of us as industry leaders, as business leaders, as community leaders need to look at that and make sure we're using it appropriately. Always use it to the best of its ability, but that's probably the biggest hurdle facing most of us today. And we all have to be aware. Not afraid, but aware.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Certainly faith, certainly love, family. Health. Without health, what do you have? The culture of caring, but... You know, you want to lead with authority, but you also want to lead with kindness. So you want to have that whole basis of... You need to make people feel important, and that's okay to make people feel important. You gotta talk less and listen more. So, so many things that if you don't do these things carefully, you're gonna miss opportunities. I just turned 65 last week, or 2 weeks ago, and my favorite thing... the most amazing thing, I feel, is the wisdom I've gathered. I mean, wisdom is what has helped me now understand that 22-year-old that made a lot of mistakes, and that 40-year-old that didn't know where she was going, and now this 65-year-old that's so darn proud of everything I've accomplished, yet a lot more to do yet, but really proud. Yeah, really proud of who I am and what I've done.