Our History

In 1986 John Gallagher had one goal — to provide top quality exterior remodeling products and workmanship at a reasonable price along with incredible service before and after the job. John Gallagher graduated from Northern Illinois in 1977 with a degree in Business Management. He was employed by the leader and inventor of aluminum siding Alside Inc. out of Akron Ohio for 9 years. John started as a sales rep in Chicago and worked his way up the corporate ladder to the national sales manager for the commercial window sales. While John loved working for Alside, after nearly a decade of extensive travel, he knew it was time to make a change in order to focus more on his family. John was sure that with all his own experience with Alside in the siding window and roofing business that he could take what he learned and start the business that he trained others to do while with Alside.

This new entrepreneur started with a simple philosophy and mission:

1. Provide customers in the western suburbs top quality siding windows and roofing and workmanship.
2. Demonstrate a passion for strong leadership in the community while promoting continued business growth. Embracing rock solid Midwest values, John always endeavored to provide homeowners with the highest quality exterior remodeling products available on the market.

More About John

John Gallagher is driven by three key values — his faith in God, his family, and relationships. Marrying his high school sweetheart, John has raised three children while building a successful business built on one key focus — professionalism. Consistently exceed expectations and your customers will love you. For 25 years his strategy has been effective.

John was raised in a two-bedroom apartment, and credits his father, a past marine sergeant, with having some of the most impact on his life. After obtaining a two-year degree at community college John went on to work at JCPenney while he pursued his bachelor’s at Northern Illinois University. His original goal had been to be a store manager, but after 8.5 years life changed his plans.

Just before closing one night a man came into the men’s department needing a suit for the next day. While most people might have hurried the man along, John paid special attention to the customer and helped him for over an hour. By the end of the visit the man offered John a job in sales. In 1985 John parlayed his extensive sales and customer service experience into starting his own company, Exterior Designers, Inc. But to those who know him, he is much more. He is about faith, family, and community.

Faith

Those who know John know that one thing in his life is clearly the most important — his faith. A current member of Grace Point church in Naperville, in the past John has been a Sunday school teacher, an usher, and even a deacon.

Since 1990 he has been an active member of the Gideons, helping to hand out millions of Bibles to individuals throughout the world.

Family

You probably can’t spend more than 15 minutes with John without quickly learning about his best friend and treasured partner, his wife. Crediting her with helping him to raise an incredible family, after 30+ years of marriage he still can’t stop glowing.

The Gallagher’s have two grown children, with a third currently finishing up college. It’s easy to see that John’s family is his ultimate joy, inspiration, and motivation.

John is also extremely active in the community, as a long-time member of the Naperville Chamber, an active Rotarian, and also as a mentor to area youth.