Meet Our team
Gerry Rodarte, Principal of Premier Steel Structures. With over 40 years of construction experience, Gerry has worked his way up from being a laborer to establishing himself as a prominent figure in the industry. Gerry initially started as a laborer in Baldwin Park in 1981 with the sole purpose of supporting his family.
Throughout his career, Gerry has gained valuable expertise in various roles such as carpenter, foreman, superintendent, and general superintendent. He possesses a deep understanding of the entire construction process and excels in coordinating materials, equipment, and manpower to ensure projects are completed on time. Gerry’s work ethic is fueled by his core values of hard work, dedication, helping others, and respect.
Within the workplace, Gerry loves working with people, delivering successful projects, and passing on his extensive knowledge to others. He takes pride in his ability to mentor and guide individuals, by sharing the valuable lessons he has learned over the years. His goal is to create a lasting legacy in the industry, leaving a positive impact on future generations.
Outside of work, Gerry enjoys exploring new places and capturing memories through his lens. Spending quality time with family and embarking on relaxing boat trips also holds a special place in Gerry’s heart.
Armando Rodarte is the President of Advanced Framing Structures and Premier Steel Structures, leading companies in the field of advanced framing and steel structures. With extensive experience in the industry, Armando began his career in 2008 as a Project Engineer for a General Contractor. Over the past 13 years, he has served as the President of AFS, and for the past 6 years, he has also taken on the role of President at PSS.
As President, Armando is responsible for ensuring the success of both the employees and customers of AFS and PSS. His leadership is driven by a set of core values that guide his decision-making. Caring is one of these values, as he believes in having empathy and seeing each situation through the perspective of others. Continuous improvement is also important to Armando, as he is always listening and learning, aiming to enhance his knowledge and skills. Another key value for him is customer service, where he focuses on providing innovative solutions to any challenges that may arise. Collaboration is another pillar of Armando’s leadership style, recognizing that teamwork is essential for achieving great things.
At AFS and PSS, Armando enjoys setting the pace of the organization and making a positive difference in the lives of others. Outside of work, he cherishes spending time with his beautiful wife and two babies. Armando also prioritizes regular exercise and is constantly envisioning the future, seeking new opportunities and advancements in the industry.
Sean Hatch is the Principal/VP of Sales and Estimating at Advanced Framing Structures and Premier Steel Structures. With over 25 years of experience in the Rough Carpentry Industry plus 10 years in the Structural Steel Industry, Sean’s journey in construction began at a young age. Initially, he took on construction jobs to support his college education, without realizing that it would shape his entire career.
At AFS and PSS, Sean oversees various departments, including Sales, Estimating, Business Development, and Marketing. He upholds the company’s core values known as the 4 C’s – Collaboration, Caring, Continuous Improvement, and Customer Service – as crucial guiding principles. These values are the foundation of his work ethic and greatly influence the overall success of the company.
Sean finds immense satisfaction in teaching and coaching others, particularly when working with partners to bring projects to fruition. He thrives on finding innovative solutions to construction challenges, aiding in the seamless progression of projects.
Outside of work, Sean devotes his rest days to his family, cherishing quality time with them. He enjoys exploring new places, indulging in his passion for golfing, and finding tranquility while fishing.
John Ambrose is the Chief Financial Officer at Advanced Framing Structures and Premier Steel Structures. He has over 22 years of experience in Accounting, with a specific focus on Construction Accounting for the past 13 years. In 2010, he relocated to Southern California and initially worked as an abatement subcontractor in North Hollywood.
In his role as CFO, John is responsible for overseeing all financial management for the companies. This includes handling legal matters, managing IT infrastructure, insurance and benefits, banking and investing, real estate, and shareholder reports. He is dedicated to continuous improvement for himself and the company, as well as supporting the teams and customers.
John enjoys using financial data to drive strategic growth for the companies. He reviews various financial aspects on a daily basis, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, cash, and project financials. He collaborates with an excellent Accounting team, industry-leading Project Managers, and a highly skilled leadership team.
Outside of work, John values spending quality time with his family. He enjoys skiing during the winter months and traveling with his wife and teenage kids. He also likes tinkering with cars and occasionally taking on home improvement projects.
Robert Germain is a highly experienced Operations Manager at Premier Steel Structures. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, he has a strong background in Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Detailing along with owning a steel detailing company. He started his career in 1980 as a Steel Detailer, where he specialized in creating shop drawings for Steel Fabricators.
Throughout his career, Robert worked as a Project Manager for several steel fabricators, gaining valuable experience in the process. This hands-on experience allowed him to develop the skills necessary to excel in his current role as Operations Manager. As an Operations Manager, Robert oversees various aspects of the business, including Project Managers, Shop Personnel, Fabrication and Production Schedules, Field Personnel, and Installation Schedules.
Robert values honesty and integrity in his work and leads by example. He constantly puts in hard work to achieve the best results and enjoys seeing the people around him succeed and accomplish their goals.
Apart from work, Robert likes traveling with his wife and spending quality time with his family. He enjoys good sporting events like baseball, football, or basketball.