Letitia Hanke

A small-town girl from Lake County, California, Letitia (LA-TISH-A) Hanke (HANK-EE) grew up dreaming of a music career. Recognized from childhood for her musical talents, she attended Sonoma State University envisioning a future in the performing and recording arts. When the opportunity arose, she took a position at a prominent roofing company and managed the business for 8 years. In 2004, she started her own roofing company, ARS Roofing, Gutters & Solar. In March 2022, she celebrated 26 years in the industry. She currently employs 24 full-time, year-round employees servicing the North Bay in California.

Some of her accomplishments include:

• 2008 Spirit of Sonoma Honoree award winner
• 2014 Small Business of the Year Award from Governor Gavin Newsome
• 2015 Entrepreneurial/Innovative Spirit Award winner by the North Bay Leadership Council
• 2015 Woman in Business award by the North Bay Business Journal
• 2016 Northern California Small Business Award by the California Black Chamber of Commerce
• 2017 Entrepreneur of the year award by the National 100 Black Women Council
• 2018 North Bay Business Journal Non-Profit Leadership award
• 2018 4C’s Champion of Children-Empowering Youth award
• 2018 Walmart Community Playmaker award by the Golden State Warriors.
• 2020 North Bay Spirit Award winner by Comcast California and Press Democrat
• 2020 Featured in Square international commercial
• 2020 Featured on Emmy Winning Mike Rowe’s Returning the Favor
• 2020 Featured on the Emmy Winning Kelly Clarkson Show
• 2020 Residential Roofer of the Year by Roofing Contractor Magazine
• 2021 Sonoma County Woman of the Year by Congressman Mike Thompson
• 2021 Spirit of Education Awardee by the National Association of Remodeling Industry (NARI)
• 2022 Featured in Book by Billionaire Jacqueline Reses “Self-Made Boss”
• 2022 Most Influential Woman of the Year by North Bay Business Journal

Letitia’s vision to advocate for the disadvantaged inspired her to start the 501c3 nonprofit foundation called The LIME Foundation in 2015. Through three programs, her non-profit advocates for at-risk youth in the community along with seniors and veterans, by providing health services, music and arts, technology, and construction training.