RICHARD LAYMAN, MGWC, CVCLD
Owner
Pure Water Well Drilling Inc.
Lachine, Michigan
BEST ADVICE I EVER RECEIVED?
My father (Dick) was an avid outdoorsman and taught me to relax and enjoy the fruits of my labor to relieve stress. My uncle (Jim) taught me that business diversity is a must. My uncle (BW Jr.) taught me to put my customers first, stand by my word, and don’t promise what you can’t deliver.
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOUR PROFESSIONAL SELF?
Taking or being taught HR services. Dealing with customers and employees can be a challenge. I’ve lost valuable employees over the years for just being me and could’ve fired a few a lot earlier. Dealing with customers, employees, and other contractors takes a learning curve.
MOST SATISFYING PART OF YOUR JOB?
Drilling water wells! It’s truly a wonder drilling, installing, and putting a well into service. Interacting with other contractors in the groundwater field is enjoyable too. I enjoy the NGWA and MGWA and truly believe these experiences enrich my life and understanding of my trade.
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED IN MANAGING YOUR BUSINESS?
Keep one eye on today and the other on tomorrow. You must have a plan. Whether it’s daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly, create a goal and strive to achieve it. You will hit obstacles along the way but keep moving toward your goal.
THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE WHEN INSTALLING A GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM?
Proper sizing installation and grouting of the loop field. It seems everyone wants it done the cheapest and it’s the most important part. Without proper heat exchange in the field they fail. I will not put my name on a system that has been modified with corners cut to fit a budget.
WHAT RULES AND REGULATIONS KEEP YOU UP AT NIGHT?
In government regulations it’s complying and the added cost of compliance—how to defer the cost throughout the job in question. Also, uninformed decisions made by government officials swayed by lobbyists and those with a personal gain.
HOW CAN DRILLING FIRMS RECRUIT THE NEXT GENERATION OF WORKERS?
Mike Rowe has the best idea in bringing back the trade schools to allow the younger generation the opportunity to learn to work with their hands. Open their minds to the joy of creating something that has value. We need an apprenticeship program that teaches kids the water cycle, how groundwater moves, and is developed.