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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
We recently graduated the,
Bob Harris
Decorative
Concrete Institute. Harris worked as
senior superintendent for six years in Disney theme parks doing decorative,
"themed concrete" work with integral color, dry shake color hardeners and
chemical stains.
Subtitle of announcement
Today's Date 07-16-2006-
Harris,
president of the Decorative Concrete Institute in Douglasville, GA, left
his position at the Scofield Institute and went on his own in July 2003.
Since then, he has set up a product manufacturing, distribution and
training facility in Douglasville; held various seminars on topics such
as acid-etch staining, epoxy systems, concrete countertops, skim coats,
polished concrete, stamped concrete and sandblast stencils; consulted on
a varitey of projects around the United States; presented at World of
Concrete and World of Concrete Mexico; contracted a variety of
high-profile installations; and authored Bob Harris' Guide to
Stained Concrete Interior Floors and Bob Harris' Guide to
Stamped Concrete, and, to be released this Fall, Bob Harris'
Guide to Overlays and Toppings.
"Although these first two years have been overwhelming at times,
when I get in front of a class to start teaching, I realize that the
teaching -- whether in person or through my books -- is where my passion
lies," says Harris.
Central to his ability to teach is his actual experience with the
products he trains contractors to use. Harris worked as senior
superintendent for six years in Disney theme parks doing decorative,
"themed concrete" work with integral color, dry shake color hardeners
and chemical stains.
"Working at the Magic Kingdom with some of the most creative
people in the world was tremendously gratifying," says Harris. Some of
his projects were |
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"Port
Orleans," "Magnolia Bend," "Disney's Vacation Club" and Phase 1 and 2 of
the Disney All-Star Hotel, as well as all of the theme parks. Many of
the projects pushed the parameters of what had previously been done with
decorative concrete. |
On the
Disney properties, Harris did everything from casting tree branches to
alligator paw prints. On one project, the project manager asked him to
place paw prints to simulate that a dog had run through the concrete.
"That's not very creative," responded Harris, "We should have a real dog
run through it." Shortly thereafter, Harris had clearance for his
100-lb. Labrador retriever to run through the fresh concrete. The
project was a success, with permanent paw prints still in the concrete
today.
Harris credits his late father Robert Harris for his strong work
ethic and teaching him to go the extra mile. He remembers being 5 or 6
years old when his father had him stripping lumber and cleaning stakes
for the family company, Harris and Harris Concrete. |
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"I realize that
the
teaching --
whether in
person or
through my books
__ is where my
passion lies."
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In
August 2003, Harris combined his concrete construction field experience
and teaching experience, and partnered with The Concrete Network in an
agreement to publish a series of guides on decorative concrete.
"Getting
what I've learned down on paper has been a dream of mine for more than
10 years. At first the idea was to do one book on decorative concrete.
It was decided, however, that trying to fit everything about decorative
concrete into one book would be a bad idea because it would be a huge
book, and it would take too long. Instead, it was decided to build a
series of guides and make it into a collection called, The Bob Harris
Decorative Concrete Collection," notes Harris.
Once the idea of a collection was decided upon, Harris went to work
on the first chosen topic: acid staining. He says, "The idea for the
book on acid staining was decided upon in August 2003, and was complete
and available for sale at the World of Concrete in Orlando in February
of 2004, so things moved along rapidly."
Harris couldn't be any more pleased with the success of the guide.
"Comments about the guide have been very rewarding. It is amazing
the amount of questions we are receiving worldwide, Thailand, China,
Canada, Austraila, etc., as a result of the guide sales. We are getting
a lot of requests to train in those locations also," says Harris. The
highiest compliment, according to Harris, is when a guide owner calls to
say the information in the guide has helped in so many instances out on
the jobsite. |
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Bob
Harris' Guide to Stained Concrete Interior Floors
has been a bestseller since its release -- selling more than 800 copies
per month through the American Concrete Institute, Portland Cement
Association, The Concrete Network and dozens of construction
supplyhouses and architectural bookstores.
Harris is as excited about the guide on stamped concrete which came
out in October, as he was about the staining guide. "Decorative concrete
contractors can prospe from the demand for stamped concrete by learning
to create beautiful, durable stamped concrete using the latest
techniques and procedures. There are currently no books available on
stamping concrete, so I feel this book can make a big contribution to
the industry," says Harris.
According to Harris, "The decorative concrete industry is growing
by leaps and bounds, and the growth an sometimes be hard to keep a
handle on. People ar getting into the industry from other industries,
and decorative concrete is no longer a niche. It has become mainstream.
I hope to play an important role in getting good information out to the
industry through seminars and in printed form." |
For More Information Contact:
SIE Systems Decorative Concrete
2449 N. W. 107 Avenue Sunrise, Fl. 33322
Tel: 954-878-0916
FAX:
Internet:
T_Bliven at siesystems dot com
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