Meet The Team

Hello, my name is Chuck Elashkar and I am the proud President of Owner of Rainshield Inc. I took over ownership of Rainshield Inc. in 1990 and have been part of a family of people that have grown from one crew of Roofing Installers, into a family on nine Crews that are some of the best Roofing, Windows, Siding and Decking installers, you will find anywhere! Rainshield employees take pride in their work, the quality of their installation, their finished product and the satisfaction of knowing that we have one of the best reputations in the area. I am tremendously proud of what this company has grown into.

The Rainshield family also believes in giving back to the community and helping others less fortunate. Rainshield donates to many foundations, throughout the year and around the holidays. To tell a little about me personally, I moved to this area over 20 years ago, and would never dream of living anywhere else again. I love the beauty to be found all around us. I take in the splendor of the area by spending a lot of time outdoors. I enjoy fishing, camping, boating, bicycling and hiking. I enjoy spending time with family and friends and I am an animal lover. I am a devout Christian, I enjoy reading inspirational books and enjoy motivational seminars. I truly feel a person can keep growing and bettering themselves as long as they are living! I live by that motto and try to instill it in those around me. I believe that philosophy has produced what Rainshield Inc. is today.

Hi, my name is Sekou Williams and the main enjoyment I get out of my job and position is the functionality of applying my skills to best fit the customer’s needs of roofing and construction. The confidence of being highly knowledgeable, giving quality service and leaving the customer with a positive experience is very gratifying. Rainshield strives to offer the best service and installation in the industry. That’s why I chose to stay employed here. My hobbies include playing Backgammon (highly competitive), re-building classic cars, and bowling with a 189 average. I am originally from Detroit, MI. Living in the Pacific Northwest is quite a change, for the better! The beautiful scenery and plenty of outdoor activities are what I enjoy the most.

My name is Rick Smith. I am a foreman here at Rainshield Roofing. I have been working at Rainshield since September of 2000. I started roofing as a summer job in 1986 and with the exception of a short time in the Navy, I have been in the industry ever since. I have also owned and operated my own roofing business. This allows me to help out in many different aspects of the business. I live locally with my wife Michele and four kids; Dylan, Bailey, Anissa, and Faith. We enjoy living in the Pacific Northwest. Though the weather can be hard on us roofers, it’s the weather that keeps our industry alive and viable.

I am Tom Wood and a foreman at Rainshield Roofing. What attracted me to the roofing industry at first was the opportunity to meet new people and see new areas in the Pacific Northwest. Since I started working in roofing and construction 26 years ago, I have advanced my knowledge and skills that will ensure the quality work that Rainshield stands for. I am certified in CPR-First Aid, fork lifts, and I am a Certianteed Master Shingle Applicator. Working for Rainshield has been a great experience which will add to my experience and qualifications for years to come. I have enjoyed watching the company grow. Knowing that our customers have trust in our finished product gives me a great sense of accomplishment.

Hi! I’m Don Landis, with over 15 years experience in the roofing industry, it is a pleasure to be employed with a company such as Rainshield! I love my job, with an ever changing views as I move from project to project, and the constant introduction of new clients into my life. My career continues to expand and reward me on several levels. Being associated with Rainshield allows me to perform my duties to the highest industry standards. The on-going educational process at Rainshield allows me to stay on the front end of new technology and prevents boredom from ever being part of my work life equation. My wife and I love living in a place as beautiful and diverse as the Pacific Northwest where our many personal interests and hobbies can be explored. From skiing and snowshoeing in the fall and winter, to golfing and kayaking in the spring and summer, this part of the country has it all!

I’m Chad VanderHeiden and roofing is my passion. I enjoy looking at a finished job knowing it looks as good as it will perform. I also take pride in knowing that the homeowner can share that same feeling of satisfaction of a great looking and top of the line roof. My hobbies, other than roofing are, spending time with my family and friends and playing tennis when there is warm weather. I enjoy fishing and camping as being outdoors is something I could not live without! I have lived in the Pacific Northwest all my life and plan on staying here for the rest of it as well. I have worked for Rainshield for over 12 years and it has been a wonderful experience and an amazing company to be a part of.

Salutations, I am Justin Wallace, part of the Rainshield Weatherization Team. At Rainshield, I get to utilize my skills associated with all aspects of Home improvement in our everyday work. We serve to set the standard in superior customer satisfaction as well as warmth, comfort and peace of mind. I relocated here to Bellingham from Tacoma, WA and am grateful to be part of the Team Rainshield.

Lonnie was born in Bothell, Washington and lived on a small family farm, raising livestock. His Dad, an automotive instructor at a local community college taught 10-year old Lonnie the trade. After receiving an early retirement, his Dad sold the farm, and moved the family to Missouri where they continued to raise livestock. A few years later, Lonnie and his dad were asked to join the Sheriff’s Office as reserve deputies where Lonnie served for six years. He moved back to Washington state in 1995, got married a few years later and moved to the Skagit Valley area, where he currently resides. He became a HAM Radio Operator in 2002, and is an active member with the Radio Amateurs of Skagit County. When the economy took a dive, Lonnie decided to change careers, attended a truck driving school, and acquired his CDL. As an OTR trucker, Lonnie logged in over 100,000 miles in every state this side of the Mississippi River. In November of 2010, Lonnie became employed with Rainshield as a chain truck driver.

Bart Higgins brings over 25 years experience in the roofing industry, and is a recognized expert in exterior construction assemblies, presenting as an expert witness in Steadman v. Hessell, Superior Court of Multnomah County, Oregon, and in Interstate v. CLS in King County Superior Court. He is also recognized as an Historical Preservation Specialist, reroofing such historic sites as Timberline Lodge in Mt. Hood, Oregon and the log cabins at Ferndale’s Pioneer Village. He also providing exterior preservation and stabilization for Burrows Island Light Station for the U.S. Coast Guard and NW Schooner Society. Bart is the Senior Estimator and Project Manager for King, Snohomish, Skagit and Island Counties at Rainshield.