Tom Lopatosky – The Home Improvement Expert
While looking for a way to pay his way through college, Tom Lopatosky started LOPCO Contracting in 1995. After over 20 years of growth and the development of a highly skilled team, LOPCO has grown to become the home improvement contractor of choice for a HUGE number of people throughout Rhode Island and Southern New England. Tom started the company with less than $100 in his pocket and has grown the business to the point where it now annually generates revenue well into the seven figures.
Tom learned many valuable lessons as he grew the business while attending college. Ultimately Tom graduated with a degree in Marketing, a degree in Finance and a minor in Computer Information Systems from Bryant University (Bryant College at the time) in Smithfield, RI. Prior to earning his degrees, Tom graduated from Classical High School in Providence, RI. After High School he left for the University of South Carolina to pursue his dream of playing football. Soon after his mother passed away in 1997, he relocated back to RI and completed his college career at Bryant. He continued to play minor league football for 9 years and was part of 4 championship-playing football teams. As the demands of the company grew, he decided to retire from football in 2006 and focus on LOPCO full time.
Under Tom’s leadership, the company culture of striving to over deliver on every project they undertake has led to much repeat business and their clients are often VERY happy to tell their friends and families about their experiences with LOPCO. This has helped tremendously as LOPCO has sought to further increase their customer base. Tom’s long term goal for the company is “To lead LOPCO Contracting in continuing to paint and build the way to social consciousness while becoming the largest painting and associated services company in New England by 2023.”
Tom lives in Providence, RI with his girlfriend Ayana, his daughter Tamara, Ayana’s daughter Jyana, and Ayana’s brother Kwame. Tom is Roman Catholic and is a firm believer that success is often correlated with a person’s faith, not necessarily a particular religion, but faith in a greater power. Roman 12:12 is his favorite Bible verse which reads, “”Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.”
Tom currently holds a variety of titles including President of LOPCO Contracting, Regional Board Member of the PDCA’s (Painting and Decorating Contractors of America) Northeast Council (since 2013), President of the RI Chapter of the PDCA (since 2014), Board Member of RIBA (Rhode Island Builders Association, since 2012), and Building & Property Trades Advisory Committee Member for MTTI (MotoRing Technical Training Institute in Seekonk, MA, since 2010).
Tom has been a RIBA member since 2008 and a member of PDCA since 2006.
In 2013 he received the PDCA’s National “Humanitarian of the Year” award, a “40 under 40” award from Providence Business News, and his BNI (Business Network International) Warwick peers voted him “Member of the Year”. He has been involved with BNI for over 7 years and is currently a member of BNI Capital Gains in North Providence, RI.
In 2006 Tom was inducted into the Classical High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
Over the years Tom has been a contributing writer to ExpertBeacon.com and an expert columnist in RI Local Magazine, Chairperson of St. Adalbert’s Church’s Polish-American Festival (for 6 years!), and even made it as a semi-finalist in the second season of “The Apprentice” (the round right before the finalists are on the show!).
Today, Tom is currently an expert monthly columnist for SHOP In RI Magazine and has weekly ‘Home Improvement Tips’ that air on the radio on 630 WPRO AM and on television on WPRI 12 (both in the RI area). Tom has been featured on the Real Estate Radio Network, the ‘Discover Rhode Island’ TV show, and on The Strongpreneur Nation Podcast.
Tom Lopatosky feels VERY fortunate to have been involved with a number of community organizations over the years, such as: Amos House, Children’s Wishes, Clinica Esperanza, Goodwill Industries of Rhode Island, Habitat for Humanity of RI – Greater Providence, The Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence, The Town of Johnston, RI Police Department, Junior Achievement of RI, One Neighborhood Builders (formerly Olneyville Housing Corporation), Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, YouthBuild Providence, and YMCA of Greater Providence.
Two of the biggest community initiatives that Tom has been involved with are being a lead organizer of ‘Clean Day’ on the Woonasquatucket River Greenway for nine years (since 2008) and a lead organizer for YouthBuild Providence’s annual ‘Build-a-Bed’ event for four years (since 2013).
Tom enjoys hanging out with his daughter Tamara whenever possible doing everything from watching a show on television to camping to attending sporting events, etc. as well as watching activities she is involved in – particularly All-Star Cheerleading.
Recently when Tamara’s longtime cheer gym was forced to close, he joined up with one of her coaches and started a new cheer gym – Cheer UP Athletics – in order to keep as many of the athletes and their families from the previous gym together as possible. Tom is looking forward to this exciting opportunity and helping to build a program that will emerge as a leader in its industry!
Tom loves hanging out with his girlfriend as much as he can in the midst of his hectic life!! Tom enjoys going to the movies and is a big sports fan. Tom’s two favorite sports entities are the New York Yankees and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks (any of their teams!!). Other than those two, Tom just really likes to see good games played regardless of the sport he may be watching. He does, however, enjoy following Providence College Basketball as well! Tom is very involved with his Church (St. Adalbert’s Church in Providence, RI) and really tries to make it a point on attending service at least once per week. He also makes every effort to read at least one verse from the Bible daily and reflect on it for about ten minutes or so; this has definitely become a routine that he absolutely looks forward to!
Tom’s extensive experience and overall industry knowledge have made Tom one of the most sought after experts in the home improvement industry. Remarkably, Tom is often even called upon by other contractors to help them through challenges in their businesses. Because he has made it a focus to delve into and solve problems that others in the industry simply want nothing to do with, he has become an invaluable resource for homeowners near and far. With all being said, it confidently is safe to say that Tom Lopatosky truly is – The Home Improvement Expert!!!
Radio/Audio Features & Home Improvement Tips
Recent Appearance on DiSpirito Team Real Estate Show
TV/Video Features & Home Improvement Tips
Tom Lopatosky Talks About Lead Paint
Tom Lopatosky Talks About Rusty Nails
Tom Lopatosky Talks About Rotted Trim
Tom Lopatosky Talks About Glazing Windows
Print Media Features & Published Pieces
Why is it a BAD Idea to Caulk the Gaps in Between Shingle Siding?
Recently I had a client message me with concerns of there being gaps in between the shingle siding on his family’s home, after we had conducted our prep and were well on our way through applying the finish coat. While he was SUPER complimentary on
