Several leaders in the decorative concrete industry were the first to be inducted into the Decorative Concrete Hall of Fame, on March 18, 2010, in Phoenix. The Hall was founded by Professional Trade Publications to recognize leaders who have made decorative concrete what it is today.
Doug Bannister
Doug Bannister of The Stamp Store and One Day Floors is one of the most active professionals in decorative concrete training. While building a successful supply store with a strong Internet presence that led the way to e-commerce, he has also served the industry unselfishly. Doug has inspired many contractors with his depth of knowledge and experience, his commitment to adherence to industry standards, his ethical approach to business and his outstanding work ethic. He has worked tirelessly to improve standards and professionalism in the decorative concrete business and has served organizations in the larger concrete industry.
Fu-Tung Cheng
Fu-Tung Cheng is a trailblazer in the design world. He has authored three bestselling books and designed award-winning homes and kitchens. Together these efforts have change the paradigm of building kitchens and homes by legitimizing concrete as a timeless, beautiful and functional material for many uses. He develops concrete products and offers courses that have launched many new careers for those he has trained in the fabrication of countertops, fireplace surrounds and other architectural features. He has influenced and inspired designers, contractors and even homeowners. Fu-Tung Cheng is an articulate spokesperson for concrete and sustainability, and he has changed the way the world sees concrete.
Bob Harris
Bob Harris has changed our expectations of training for decorative concrete and set new standards. With a quest to continuously improve his craft, he reached out to muralists, faux finishers and other artisans to learn a fresh way of looking at decorative concrete that has benefited all of us. He worked on Disney properties where creative uses of concrete and attention to detail were pushed as far as possible, and he generously shared the perspective and skills he gained through outstanding training programs. As an independent trainer, he also published Bob Harris’ Guides and DVDs, successful titles that have improved the quality of work in decorative concrete.
Jim Peterson
Jim Peterson has brought the stories of the emerging field of decorative concrete into homes and businesses in the United States and around the world. Long before any of us became used to checking ConcreteNetwork.com to find out what the leaders in decorative concrete were up to now, he imagined that the Internet was the place for decorative concrete to showcase its explosion of new materials and techniques. He created ways to connect contractors with buyers and help decision makers. And most remarkably, he set out on this quest in 1999. Today, more than 11 million visitors per year find out about decorative concrete at ConcreteNetwork.com. The information they find is accurate, unbiased and engaging. Jim’s artistry in crafting a good story and collecting the information needed by Web searchers has redefined the digital map for the benefit of decorative concrete contractors and manufacturers.
Buddy Rhodes
Buddy Rhodes has been one of the pioneers in popularizing concrete countertops, furniture and features. He has elevated their natural appearance to a fine art that has even been exhibited in galleries. A ceramicist who discovered concrete while at art school, he brought the eye of a sculptor and his own hand-pressed method to fabrication. Buddy Rhodes provided the first bagged mix, has introduced specialized tools, and most recently has developed a green, environmentally sound product line. Buddy continues to share his expertise through training contractors and the DIY market. Buddy also has a burning desire to solve problems and improve results in ways that have influenced the people he has trained and the success of the industry.
Wayne Sellon
As an individual who gave so much to train others and shared his love of life and love of decorative concrete, Wayne Sellon touched the life of so many and will be long remembered as someone who enlightened and entertained the industry. Wayne Sellon was one of the most passionate, exuberant and enthusiastic promoters of decorative concrete anywhere, and he was an innovator in its vertical development.
L.M. Scofield Co.
This company introduced the first ready-to-use packaged materials for decorative concrete and has provided education, training and leadership for 95 years. It has maintained a long and consistent commitment to the decorative concrete industry, and it has introduced exciting new products even in the past 18 months, despite a challenging economy. The company continues to provide leadership through innovation. To quote an article from this magazine published in 2001: “To concrete contractors all over the world, the name L. M. Scofield Co. represents the oldest and one of the most trusted manufacturers in the business. The recognition comes from creating high standards for products that form a virtually unlimited menu for coloring and texturing concrete.”
