Hank Longo, of Old Bridge, graduated from Ocean County Vocational Technical School’s (OCVTS) apprentice carpentry career program in 1978. His successful construction career has spanned more than four decades, and he credits his education at OCVTS for getting it started.
After graduating from OCVTS, Longo, now the sales manager and vice president of additions for Lakewood-based All County Exteriors, placed second in an apprentice competition and was promoted to journeyman status. He said the skills and knowledge he received at OCVTS was the reason he earned the ranking.
“After two years of vocational training, I gained the experience and confidence to work with all types of machinery and rapidly advanced to journeyman carpenter,” said Longo. “I preach to all the students who I speak with to concentrate on the fundamentals because every construction job is different. Designs change, codes change, but plumb, level, and square never change. Jobsite safety and attention to details are the secret sauce ingredients.”
Longo’s first job as a journeyman carpenter was building the Rolling Thunder roller coaster at Great Adventure. He then worked his way from being a supervisor, to a project manager, to head of the Northeast Construction Division for Calton Homes.
After working for Calton Homes, Longo was named the vice president of operations for Breese Masons and then head of construction for Total Homes. His current role with All County Exteriors has earned him stellar reviews on Home Advisor, proving he has remained consistent in his high level of professionalism and technical knowledge throughout his career.
