Building What Matters
Khary Penebaker
Executive. Advocate. Builder.
Regional General Manager at Great Day Improvements, leading operations across four Upper Midwest markets. Over 20 years of building companies, teams, and movements — from a $1.5M startup to a $35M multi-state operation. Survivor. Advocate. Father.
My Socials
Follow my professional journey in construction leadership, regional management, and business strategy.
Advocacy updates, gun violence prevention, and community building.
Personal stories, advocacy work, and connecting with community.
Over two decades of experience leading construction companies, managing multi-state operations, and driving revenue growth from startup to $35M+.
about me
From the Job Site to the National Stage
executive
Dedicated to excellence in every endeavor.
advocate
Dedicated to excellence in every endeavor.
entrepreneur
Dedicated to excellence in every endeavor.
I have spent my career building things that matter. I started Penebaker Enterprises in 2002 with nothing but a truck, a phone, and the willingness to outwork everyone. Grew it from $1.5 million to $12 million in commercial roofing and sheet metal fabrication. Specialized in EPDM, TPO, and GAF roofing systems — the kind of work where precision and accountability are not optional. Then I did it again at Roofed Right America. Scaled the company to over $35 million in annual revenue with 180 employees across five states. Built the teams, the systems, and the culture from the ground up.
But business has never been the whole story. My mother Joyce died by suicide with a gun when I was 20 months old. That loss is the thread that runs through everything I do — my advocacy for gun violence prevention, my run for Congress in 2016, my speech at the 2020 Democratic National Convention, my years as an Everytown for Gun Safety fellow, and my service as a DNC representative for Wisconsin. Today I lead the Upper Midwest region at Great Day Improvements, overseeing operations in Chicago, Madison, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis. I live in Waukesha, Wisconsin with my fiancee Anne. I have three kids — Josie, Kyan, and Sydney. I collect sneakers, make TikToks, and believe that showing up is 90% of the job.
What I Do
Construction Industry Leadership
Over two decades of experience in commercial roofing, building envelope solutions, and multi-state operations management. Expertise in EPDM, TPO, GAF systems, sheet metal fabrication, and large-scale project delivery.
Advocacy and Public Speaking
Keynote speaker on gun violence prevention, survivor advocacy, resilience, and leadership. Available for conferences, panels, corporate events, and community organizations.
Team Building and Turnarounds
Proven track record of taking underperforming operations and building them into high-performing teams. From hiring and training to systems and culture, I build organizations that deliver.
In The Media
Khary has been featured in national and local media for his advocacy work, business leadership, and personal story.
Featured speaker and advocate across national platforms…
Building what matters, one community at a time.
Featured speaker and advocate across national platforms…
Building what matters, one community at a time.
Featured In
2020 Democratic National Convention — spoke about gun violence prevention and his mother Joyce. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel — coverage of Congressional campaign and advocacy work. Everytown for Gun Safety — featured fellow and spokesperson. Moms Demand Action — speaker and organizer at events across Wisconsin. For media inquiries, contact info@kharypenebaker.com
Leaders Who Make a Difference
Featured at the 2020 Democratic National Convention, sharing his personal story of losing his mother Joyce to gun violence when he was just 20 months old.
Giving back has always been
extremely important to Khary.
Khary has been featured across national media for his advocacy work, political campaigns, and community leadership.
Congressional Candidate
Everytown Fellow
DNC Delegate
advocacy & leadership
A dedicated advocate for common-sense gun legislation and community safety, working with elected officials and grassroots organizations.
From Construction Sites to Capitol Hill.
Passionate about mentoring the next generation of leaders in both business and civic engagement.
Why Gun Violence Prevention Is Personal.
Building stronger communities through action, not just words. Every project, every campaign, every conversation matters.
