Today, Hanley Construction has about 40 employees, and is the county’s top roofing contractor. The company’s trucks and logos can be recognized everywhere from Gig Harbor to North Kitsap — largely thanks to son his son, Morgan, who after graduating from college implemented a branding and marketing campaign.

Morgan Hanley has been roofing with his father since he was 8 years old, and throughout high school did various jobs in the company. A South Kitsap High School 1995 graduate, he learned a few lessons in business right after graduating. That first year, his parents left for a month, leaving Morgan in charge.

“The following year they left for another month, and the year after that for six weeks,” he said. That’s where things got more interesting: He had to take care of all the books, estimates, scheduling and paying bills.

Morgan Hanley went to college originally to study accounting, and graduated in 2000 from Washington State University with a degree in business administration with an emphasis on information management systems. When he got back from college, everything at the office was still being done the old-fashion way: by hand. There was no computer.

“I wanted to take the business to the next level,” he said. The next level included setting up a computer system and a Web site, restructuring the office and hiring an office secretary. He developed a marketing plan that included a new logo, standardized T-shirt uniforms, and eventually a revamped fleet of trucks (painted in colors to match the logo). He tried to get the logo out into the public as much as possible.

“It really helped to pump our name up; people recognize us,” he said.

By 2002, Oliver Hanley started to cut back on his company duties, and changed his focus back to dirt work as well as projects like garages and renovations.

“He loves the backhoes, it’s his relaxation,” Morgan said.

He said he and his father “click,” and working really well together helps them even in times of disagreement.

Oliver Hanley had started out with one employee after becoming a licensed and bonded contractor, and has seen his company steadily grow. But through this growth, they have tried to keep “a personal touch” in their work, Morgan said. To continue growing, Hanley Construction has also diversified into decks, patio covers and other services.

The company has been recognized for its quality of service, ranked the top roofing company by the Puget Sound Consumer Checkbook and was listed as top three in the state by the Northwest Afternoon show.

Every year brings increased competition, especially from large Seattle and Tacoma area companies, but Hanley says the company’s reputation and its service helps it remain competitive.

“People like supporting local businesses. If you don’t, the whole world goes corporate,” he said.

Hanley said streamlining the business and refining the systems is always “an experiment in progress,” and he loves being a family-based business owner with his father. He has accomplished one goal for taking the business on: Giving his father the opportunity to “retire” and to have a better quality of life.

“He’s given me such a great opportunity,” he said. “I’ve tried my best to take it to the next level.”.