Bringing generations together at local GAF manufacturing facility this Father’s Day

As we celebrate Father's Day, the stories of the Armstrong and Stokes families at the GAF Tuscaloosa manufacturing facility serve as a reminder of the profound impact fathers can have on their children's lives and careers.

For the first time in history,  five different generations are working together at the same time – but with different values and priorities comes potential conflict. Two local Tuscaloosa father-son duos are using this as an opportunity to learn and challenge each other to bring their best both at home and at work.

Bruce and Dale Armstrong and Daniel and Dawson Stokes, are two father-son duos working at the GAF Tuscaloosa manufacturing facility, that represent bringing the best of their family into the workplace. Bruce has been working at the GAF Tuscaloosa facility for 48 years and inspired his son, Dale Armstrong, to follow in his footsteps three years ago. Similarly, Daniel has been at the GAF Tuscaloosa facility for more than 20 years and his son, Dawson, joined him three years ago. As longtime employees and experts in the roofing industry, these father-son duos are working together to bring family values into the workplace, prioritizing collaboration over conflict.

But inspiration from their fathers doesn’t just end there. Pushing each other to explore beyond the hard skills required on the job, Dale and Dawson decided to grow their leadership skills and pursue professional and personal ambitions.

“We have both been able to learn more skills on the job. Personally, I was able to go get my GED to further my opportunities at GAF with their support and fulfill my goals,” said Bruce Armstrong. “I developed a passion for the job and learned to show grit to continue growing at the plant,” said Dale Armstrong.

Dawson and Dale still have a long way to go in their careers, but their aptitude in adjusting to the changing landscape of manufacturing with the integration of technology has earned them the respect of not only their fathers, but also others in the workplace.

“I’ve been able to provide for my family and now I push my son to get his experience so that he can pursue his goals,” said Daniel Stokes. “I had big shoes to fill at GAF, but everyone will treat you with respect even if you’re the new hire. Helping to implement more technology at the facility has made it easier for everyone to be more safe on site, which is always a plus,” said Dawson Stokes.

As we celebrate Father's Day, the stories of the Armstrong and Stokes families at the GAF Tuscaloosa manufacturing facility serve as a reminder of the profound impact fathers can have on their children's lives and careers. These father-son duos exemplify the values of hard work, perseverance and continuous learning, which they have passed down from one generation to the next