From the Ground Up: How Justin Lindstrom Is Building a Career With Purpose at Roots

At Roots Management Group, we're not just building communities—we’re building careers. Behind the scenes of every home placement, community upgrade, and capital investment is a team of dedicated professionals who bring their unique talents and perspectives to the table.  

One of those people is Justin Lindstrom, our Construction Controller whose career path at Roots is a testament to the power of curiosity, adaptability, and growth in the manufactured housing industry. 

Getting His Start: A Company with Potential 

When Justin joined Roots—he was drawn by more than just a job. He saw an opportunity. 

“I was excited about the overall potential of the company. I felt that Roots was a place where I would be challenged and given opportunities to grow with the company,” he shares. 

That intuition proved correct. Justin’s first role as an Operations Analyst in the Tactical Operations Department gave him a wide-angle lens on the business.   

“I was able to work with many different departments and learn what makes everything tick. It gave me the opportunity to understand the industry from a ground-up perspective.” 

Wearing Many Hats—and Learning from the Best 

If you ask Justin about key influences in his journey, McKay Lyman, a respected leader at Roots, stands out immediately. 

“McKay is great in that he leads by example. I’ve seen him step into roles as a Community Manager, Regional Manager, Central Services lead, and now Marketing,” Justin recalls. “He’s inspired me to take that same approach of being willing to wear many hats and lift the company regardless of where I’m standing.” 

That mindset would serve Justin well as he rotated through multiple departments, including Homes and now CapEx,  where he oversees construction spend and project efficiency across communities. 

Career Growth in Action: The Power of Cross-Department Experience 

Justin’s journey wasn’t plotted out on a map—it evolved organically through leadership recognizing his strengths and giving him new challenges. 

“The moves were always a result of my supervisors putting me in new roles. I haven’t had much say in my journey other than accepting the responsibilities and doing my best to fulfill them,” he says humbly. 

This cross-department experience didn’t just teach him new skills—it gave him a holistic view of how Roots operates. 

“Everything is connected. Everyone impacts everyone else in one way or another, so it’s important that we all collaboratively fulfill our responsibilities.” 

His Current Role: Making Every Dollar Count 

As Construction Controller, Justin’s focus is on CapEx-specifically, maximizing community and home improvement budgets for real impact. 

“In my current role, I manage the spend on our homes and CapEx projects. I enjoy seeing the progress we make at becoming more efficient with those dollars. Just in the past 8 months, we’ve made significant progress at lowering our per-project spend, which allows us to do more within our communities than ever before.” 

Lessons for Anyone Starting Out 

So what advice does Justin have for someone just starting their journey at Roots or considering joining the company? 

“Be a problem solver. There will always be challenges that need to be solved, and those who are willing to jump in and solve are those who will grow.” 

That mindset has carried him through department changes, evolving roles, and big responsibilities—and it’s what makes him an invaluable member of the Roots team today. 

Justin’s story is proof that careers in the manufactured housing industry—and especially at Roots—can be anything but one-dimensional. From operations to construction management, the opportunities are vast, the work is meaningful, and the growth is real. 

“The MH industry is always evolving, so Roots will continue to evolve with it. With that in mind, there will always be new challenges and opportunities.” 

Whether you’re just getting your start or looking for a place to grow, Justin’s journey is a reminder that at Roots, your role can be just the beginning.