Dave Fields is the Spring Face of MFMA!
The Face of MFMA is a quarterly initiative where we interview our members and ask them to share some perspective on their job, organization, daily life, and how they are making an impact on the sports flooring industry.
Dave Fields was named our Spring Face of MFMA. We share his insights in the interview below.
How did you get started in the sports floor industry?
Dave: It all started back in 1971 working as an Assistant Project Manager for a construction company that had two college gymnasium projects with large basketball courts. During that period, the general contractor went out of business and a personal friend told me about a position with a specialty company that was getting into the sports flooring business. I was hired by that company, and during that period of employment, I learned so much about what that type of position entailed, from estimating, architectural approvals, purchasing of materials, personal management, project coordination and project close outs. That is how I began my career into the sports flooring industry, which has proven to be such an enriching and fulfilling journey.
Who was the biggest influence in your career?
Dave: During those first years that I spent with the specialty contractor, having represented Horner Flooring and Powerloc Systems, I was working with two individuals that were involved with Powerloc. Mr. Ray Omholt, President of Powerloc, and Mr. Jim Spitznas, President of Surfacing Systems. Those two gentlemen taught me so much about what was involved in dealing with general contractors, project owners, architects and business in general.
How does your company help the sports flooring industry?
Dave: For the past 36 years, Action Floor Systems has been a stellar performer in development and promoting it's complete wood sports flooring line. Promoting and offering updated systems, along with architectural and dealer support, make Action one of the leading MFMA Sports Flooring Manufacturers.
What do you feel are your keys to success?
Dave: As a manufacturer's representative for Action Floor Systems for 36 years, I have focused on establishing long lasting, strong relationships with my clients, architects, and affiliates built on integrity. Having the opportunity to promote cutting edge flooring systems to a large group of dedicated installing dealers who have the utmost confidence in our systems, along with unwavering support from the Action staff, have made representing such a successful organization an easy road to success for me. I am incredibly grateful to Mr. Tom Abendroth, President of Action Floor Systems, for giving me the opportunity to represent Action for the past 36 years.
What one thing has impacted the sports flooring industry the most in your career?
Dave: The introduction of sports floor performance testing in 1991, introduced by the Otto Graph Institute in Germany and the USSL in the United States, was groundbreaking for the industry. MFMA flooring manufacturers were quick to design, test and present new flooring systems to meet the certification requirements of the DIN standards. Currently, the industry has DIN, EN, ASTM and MFMA PUR certified floor systems in their certified floor system lines.
Do you have a saying or mantra that helps you stay motivated or motivate others?
Dave: A saying that I post on my desk calendar each month in which I try to live by, "Your Purpose In Life Is To be The Best You Can Be."
How has the sports flooring industry changed since you started in the industry?
Dave: Things were much simpler in the 70's and 80's when projects became available with little or no specification or system type description, as limited types of floor configurations were offered by the manufacturers. Early on, standard sleepers and maple were offered. Eventually, double layered plywood with support pads were introduced and plywood was added as a decking on sleeper type floor systems. Today we have numerous systems designed to meet every type of floor system required to meet the end user's needs and today's performance standards.
What is your best advice to someone starting out in the industry?
Dave: One's ultimate goal should be to seek employment by a certified MFMA installing dealer. Exposure to the inside operations opens the opportunity to learn and participate in all facets of the everyday happenings of the business, from searching for new projects, bidding on projects listed by bidding services and reviewing specifications for what systems are specified.
Following up with approval (substitution) requests, doing take-off of areas involving wood flooring, estimating costs, preparation of bid proposals, and follow-ups are all incredibly important. Listen to people who have been in the industry for years, as that will help you grow within the company and industry as a whole. It all goes back to those early days when I listened to the old timers, now I am one.
Dave Fields
Action Floor Systems
