Reports from the front: Installer-Inspector Workshop

[tony lamar]

Well, I just got home. And, yes Rusty, tornadoes and thunderstorms were one county behind us pretty much all the way across Arkansas.

Man what a gathering we had, huh guys? It was great to meet you all and put faces to names. I definitely felt some walls were knocked down for me and replaced with bridges. (metaphorically speaking of course, we weren't that close to the tornadoes )I don't know about y'all but I felt many new friendships were established as well.

I do have a picture or two but I'll have to get them from my phone onto the computer first. I didn't bring a real camera. Anyway, I was sitting directly behind Roland and once I get these puppies to the photoshop..........well let's just let him worry about it for a while.:

Too bad you couldn't all be there. I think you should definitely try to plan ahead and make the next one.

[rusty baker]

Tony you are lucky. There are at least 10 dead, dozens missing. 5 of the dead are from Oklahoma. The town of Pichur is mostly gone.

[Daris Mulkin]

Man What a fun time this has been. Got to meet people and put faces to the names,which is a major plus. And then have it be an educational event all at the same time. The big thing I found out is that not all inspectors are buttheads and only some are as the same way as some installers are hacks. They are human also with the same basic concerns as we have. That as an installer I don't have to feel like the rabbit with a hawk circling over head.
I feel this meeting was set up in an excellent manner that with each subject covered that there were a moderator of each profession on the floor at the same time and were given equal opportunity and time. And the really good part of the presentation[mine] I got to be with Curt Durand A TRUE Professional. This man has all his ducks in a row and all the dust particles on his dresser numbered let me tell you. Naw I'm wrong about the dust I'm sure there is none.
Now if we could have gotten a word in edgewise but it was hard cause Roland wouldn't shut up. But we did get a break from him this afternoon. Don't tell anybody but he fell asleep after lunch. ssshhh! I caught Tony being very heavy lidded a couple of times.
I would like to thank Tandy for taking the idea and running with it and Floor Pro for pushing it on. It was a great time and experience their is no doubt about it. I'm sure next year will be even better. The good Lord willing and the creek don't rise I will definitely be here again next year and the year after that if it happens.
What a great bunch of people.

Daris

[Danny Ferguson]

Thanks for thinking about us Rusty. We got very lucky and stayed clear of the weather till we got home. We had a great two days in Tulsa. No one looked like I thought they wood, and they all exceeded my expectations. What a great group of professionals. Everyone felt comfortable during the workshop and held nothing back. The discussions were lively and informative, but no knock down drag outs. Daris and Rawland (Roland) were very entertaining and educational, and kudos to all the inspectors. They were hands down the most educated and professional people in their trade. It was the best fifty bucks I ever spent. NO ONE CAN AFFORD TO MISS THIS NEXT YEAR!

[TFP Admin]

Here are a bunch of pictures Tandy sent me. I tried to get the names right, but you guys'll have to correct me and fill in the blanks. Click each one to see the full size version.

Uncle Cliffie:


Herb Kelley:


Chris Mha:


Clockwise from top, Pat Harts, Tony Lamar, Roland Thompson, Danny Ferguson:


A wider shot of the above includes Gerald Harts:


Better shot of Gerald:


Bill Watson, front and center, with Charles Baker behind:


Curt Durand:


Daris Mulkin sitting next to a really nice hat:


From left to right, Roger Gerber, Russ Irwin and Daris:


Sitting behind Daris is Mike Currin:


A better shot of Charles Baker behind Bill Watson:


There's 31 pictures in all, so see my next post for 12 more. Thank you, Tandy, for sending these along.

T

[TFP Admin]

Here are more pictures by Tandy. Be sure to correct me or add a name to a face where necessary.

Here's another shot of Danny and Pat:


Back row, Charles Pruitt (L) and David Colbey; bottom row, Mike and Curt Durand:


Another of Charles, David and Curt:


Mike Currin, Moderator:


Room shot:


More back of heads:


Mike and Roger at work:


Still working the crowd:


Couple of snoozers:


On Mike and Roger's watch???


At least Gerald has a point to make while Pat and Tony listen atentively:


You guys said Roland was a chatter box, but it looks like he's falling asleep here:


More in my next post. Thanks again to Tandy for taking these great pictures.

T

[TFP Admin]

Here's the last batch of pictures Tandy took.

Social and business networking were had by all:


Bill Watson, Moderator:


Dan Schultz, Moderator:


I'm not sure about this picture - help me out someone?


Here's Dan again:


And one more of Roger:


And the last one is Dan Schultz again, but I don't know who that is next to him.


I sure wish I could have been there. I can only imagine the terrible things you guys said about me behind my back. Well, I don't care. I'd give ever'one of ya a big ol' hug, if I could. Thank you.

[Jon Scanlan]

I would like to thank all you guys and one lady for getting together for this meeting at your cost and personal time to help things to improve in the flooring game. There are too many people that moan and want changes but will not do anything about it. Even though I am in a tiny country at the bottom of the world we have the same hassles here and a few people with the right intentions try to improve the lot for the rest of us. Once again I thank you for trying to make a difference

[Nick Arrera]

Glad you guys had a great time , and the thing was a success ..

[Daris Mulkin]

I'm still in Tulsa and just finished seeing what the storm did in Northern Oklahoma and southern Missouri. My thoughts and prayers are with the people tht left yesterday afternoon for the north country that they didn't get caught in it.
My prayers for the people that lived in the area.
It sure would make something that was a great adventure for us turn into a tragedy.

Daris

[mcurrin]

My thoughts about the workshop are that it was a very successful and worthwhile effort. All who attended were extremely knowledgeable. Everyone was working to the same goal and there was a lot of frank, open, and meaningful discussions both in the workshop and after hours. Both nights some of us stayed up 'til nealy midnight still talking about the event and topics. I was very happy to meet everyone from the boards, you are all professionals of the highest degree, and I was happy to be in your company these last two days. I think we laid a good foundation for future events.

Mike.

[Chris Mha]

Finally made it home. Hour and a half delay at Tulsa airport. Had to get up at 3:00 a.m. this morning to get to the airport and then they delayed the flight. Could have slept in a little if I had known. Her are the photos that I took and I think I got the best one of Daris.

[Tandy Reeves]

We had five guy that are CFI installers, and were they ever an asset to the workshop. We learned good things about CFI that we never new existed.

As a result of this workshop a new respect for each other was developed, and I would like to encourage all inspectors to get to know all the CFI installers in your area, go to their meetings, do whatever you can to work with them and they with you.

We found that installers have a fear as well as a dislike for inspectors, not because we are inspectors, but what we can do to them financialy. Also, we found that inspectors have a dread of being around installers because we knew they did not like us. We reviewed the different industry standards, and found that both sides must become much, much more familier with what is said in them before they are used to condem anyone. The installers had no idea that they could lodge a complaint against an inspector to the body that certified the inspector and that inspector would have to stand up to the review of the inspection.

To Daris, Rowland, Charles, David, and Bill a great big thank you from all of us for your friendship and controbution the the work shop. It would have been a flop without you.

[sodak]

Somebody has to be last, right? We left yesterday with great intentions of taking a shorter route & cutting down on the driving time. Short story, we missed an exit and ended up on the 44 turnpike which landed us in OK City and added 3 hours to our already 9 hour driving time - most of it with a very strong headwind. But it was such a great workshop, we'd turn around and do it all again!
This was one of the best and most productive workshops we've ever attended and that goes back a lot of years. 100% attendee participation is almost unheard of but we had it! We discussed a LOT of material and the the respect shown for each person in that room was awesome. What a great group! Those of you unable to come really missed out. Please join us next year.
We all know that nothing happens until somebody does something. Tandy took the first step to organize this great workshop and he did an outstanding job in pulling it all together. He's a one in a million kind of guy. THANK YOU TANDY!

[Roland Thompson]

I had fun getting home. Flights were ok put got stuck in Illinos for some time and so I got home at 3am this morning. But that is ok I would rather get home safe then have them try and fly when they should not. Got a few hours of sleep and then to church and then out to dinner with the family.
No I was not sleeping in that photo I was looking down at my lap top. But Daris is right I was fighting staying awake right after lunch on Sat. ( Tandy did not have me coffee and I had ate and the seats leaned back and man was it hard to fight off closing the eyes.
I also would like to say that it was a good two days going over how we all need to understand that we each have a job to do and need to work together to give our customer the very best we can.
It was good to get to know everyone that came and understand what thier thought of this industry is.
Guys I had to come home and have my wife pamper me from all that hard time you where giving me even throwing things at me.

Roland