b'ONE-TO-ONEpatterns, resourcing materials, andDonandDavidliberatedme.I watchingthebuildingthatIhadbeganfocusingmoreonvision built in my head come to life.andleadership.Asthingsbegan tochange,Iwasabletoattract You have been leading the Davidmore very talented and committed Allen Company for many decades.people who enhanced our values. WhatareyoumostproudofasPhilHalcombjoinedtheteam you look back on the success ofin1986andestablishedour the company?highly-successfulD.C.offi ce.In Roberson: In 1957, my fi rst year1992, Art Odom, a CPA, became withthecompany,ourannualourcompanyCFO.Artisnow billingswere$358,000.DuringthePresidentofthecompany. thefi rst10years,IwasworkingFollowingArt,MartinHoward 12 hours or more a day, and sixbecameanimportantpartof days a week. In 1967the year Iourleadershipteamandisnow purchased the companybillingsExecutiveVicePresidentanda had not reached $600,000.pastpresidentofNTCA.Martin In1969,DonScottjoinedmyoversees our tile and stone opera-one-person team in our tile opera- tions and our seven branches. tions. Don was an education majorIn2010,ChrisWalkerjoined and had just fi nished his fi rst yeartheDACteamas VicePresident, of teaching high school math. HeNortheast Region. Chris is the cur-had no previous experience in tile,rent president of NTCA, and many marble, terrazzo, or business. Hisothers along our 100-year journey impressive character was obvious,have left their indelible and valu-and I thought he had tremendousable mark. potential.Then,in1971,DavidBut back to your question: What RobersonjoinedourleadershipamImostproudof?Itisnot teaminourterrazzooperations.themostmonumentallychalleng-Like Don, David was fresh out ofing job we ever successfully com-college but had no prior workingpleted.Norisitsomeartistically experience. They were fast learn- createdmasterpiece.Rather,itis ers and hard workers, reinforcingtheleadershipandtheteamof everythingthatwasvaluabletoquality,talented,andcommitted our companys successa strongindividualswhohavemadeour commitmenttoourcorevalues,company what it is today and who long hours, sacrifi ces, and 100%willcontinuetokeepourcom-loyal and productive leaders. Donpanyexceptionalandrelevant.It becamethePresidentandDavidis the people who are David Allen is now the CEO.Companyyes, that is what I am For me, that was a turning point.most proud of. 58 TileLetter | May 2020'