Our Team
It's one thing to have all the best materials for a roof, but it's another to have the best people to install it correctly. That's why our years of experience speak volumes for the quality of work that we do.
When you work with Lone Mountain, you can be assured that you will be working with a truly experienced firm. Our business was established in 1973 and has maintained a solid track record of happy customers for over 36 years. Our foremen each typically have 15-20 years experience, all with Lone Mountain. This has enabled our roofing technicians to attain this specialized skill at a level that is unmatched throughout the region.
Jeremy Utash (President)
Jeremy attended Arizona State University where he studied engineering and business. During time off from college, Jeremy was trained as an estimator by his father Jim (one of Lone Mountain’s founders). In 1994, Jeremy joined the company on a full-time basis and it wasn’t long before his natural leadership skills helped him quickly move into a management position. Taking lessons from the owner (and uncle), Nick Blea, Jeremy not only learned the business inside and out, but also studied and embraced Lone Mountain’s guiding philosophies, including the importance of personal customer service, honesty, integrity, and company growth only at the pace in which maximum quality can be maintained. Jeremy, along with brothers Josh and Jason, purchased the Residential and Commercial Roofing Divisions in 2004 and 2008 respectively. With a clear focus on sustaining -- and building upon -- the legacy started over 30 years ago, Jeremy now oversees the direction of the entire company. In the last few years, with a renewed focus on health and fitness, Jeremy has been training hard and hopes to participate in a triathlon soon.
Josh Utash (Operations Manager, Residential Division)
Josh attended the University of New Mexico where he studied finance and psychology. Trained by Jeremy, he also worked as an estimator for several years. The knowledge and perspective gained from dealing with home and building owners before, during, and after the job, has helped him significantly build upon Lone Mountain’s focus on customer service. Throughout the organization, Josh has made it a priority to understand customer needs and deliver upon them. And with a focus on maximizing the efficiency of operating sub-systems in the company, Josh has helped streamline many of the “behind the scenes” systems needed to keep the company moving forward and growing (including labor, safety, fleet, material inventory, tools, machinery/equipment, maintenance, and applications). When not working, Josh enjoys spending time with his family and participating in outdoor activities. He runs five days a week, but unlike Jeremy, has no plans to participate in a triathlon any time soon.
Jason Utash (Marketing Manager)
Jason also attended the University of New Mexico where he studied business administration. Trained by Jeremy and Josh, Jason learned the business by working as an estimator for several years. In 2006, he was put in charge of Marketing. Although those responsibilities now take up most of his work schedule, Jason makes time for a lot of face-to-face interaction with customers and potential customers alike. Historically, Lone Mountain has benefited from significant positive word-of-mouth advertising -- with the high quality of customer service, materials, and workmanship providing a steady inflow of new customers. Jason’s focus is to build upon the strong word-of-mouth advertising with new marketing programs to ensure that Lone Mountain maintains its #1 position in New Mexico’s thermoplastic roofing market. For recreation, Jason and his family spend time cycling, playing golf, enjoying local parks, and participating in other outdoor activities. Like his brothers, Jason is a “competition junkie” and likes to face off against Jeremy and Josh in informal basketball, golf, and football games.
Earl Wise (Operations Manager, Commercial Division)
After growing up in Iowa, Earl joined the United States Air Force where he attained the rank of Senior Master Sergeant (E-8). After retiring from the USAF, and with much more to offer the “working world,” he brought his talents to Lone Mountain as a Commercial Project Manager. With a strong work ethic, and building upon operation skills he learned in the Air Force, Earl soon worked his way up to his current position as the Commercial Division’s Operations Manager. Currently, he focuses much of his efforts on both serving Lone Mountain’s many existing CES customers around the state -- as well as meeting new prospects to show them how working with Lone Mountain through CES can make life easier for them. Outside of work Earl and his wife, Carolyn, are very active in their church and in the lives of the young children of various family members. Between baseball games, soccer practice, recitals, etc., they are always on the go.
Tina Schmitt (Office Manager)
With a father serving in the US Armed Forces, Tina had the opportunity to live overseas in addition to other locations in the USA. Eventually settling in New Mexico, she graduated from an Albuquerque area high school. Right out of high school and into the workforce, Tina began learning and attaining valuable managerial skills. She currently works as the Office Manager here at Lone Mountain -- and is often praised by her coworkers as “being able to do what two other people can do, but in half the time!” From accounting to keeping the office supplied, Tina’s responsibilities are varied but critical to the smooth operation of the company. Her efficiency and reliability have made Tina very important to the day-to-day operations at Lone Mountain. Tina’s passion for the job resulted in her recruiting other family members to work at Lone Mountain. Currently, Tina’s grown children as well as her sister and niece all hold full time positions with us. For fun, Tina and her husband participate in various adult athletic leagues as well as support and attend many different local high school and college sporting events.
