Wally Butman has a long history of being a successful coach in his work and his personal life.
Butman has worked for decades in the hydraulic erosion control industry, both in machines and materials. However, he spent the first six years of his professional career as a teacher/coach. During the summers, Butman worked with Parksite, a regional distributor of building materials. When they offered him a sales job, his first reaction was “I’d be really afraid to make the career change.” Butman initially took a leave of absence from education before seeing that the new career was a good choice for him.
From there, he moved to Conwed Fibers, a wood-fiber hydraulic mulch manufacturer, and eventually became a national sales manager. Next, Butman went to Finn Corp., which manufactures hydroseeders and mulch-blowing equipment, as executive vice president. He also served on the board of the International Association of HydroSeeding Professionals.
After 10-plus years at Finn, Butman went to work for Profile Products, which manufactures hydraulic mulches made partially from recycled materials. Profile Products has distribution outlets and major project work on six continents. Butman stayed there for more than 20 years and recently retired as vice president of international sales.
It was during his time at Profile Products that he returned to coaching and did it at his alma mater: Harper College. Butman had played basketball there, and it was his passion. As a coach, he had the opportunity to mentor underprivileged young men and discuss their next steps in life. Many of them wanted to play for Division 1 schools but lacked the capacity. Butman encouraged them to focus on school just in case those dreams didn’t materialize. “It was very fulfilling,” he said.
Butman carried that mentoring mindset into his professional life. He loved giving guidance to young professionals and being a strong advocate for them as they moved along in their careers. Butman advised members of the sales staff to go beyond offering just a product and a price. He told them to show empathy for the customer and explain how they could benefit them. For example, Butman encouraged sales staff to take projects to customers that increased their bottom line or showed them a better way to use equipment and materials and be successful. “It’s the difference between someone who has a product to sell and someone who brings value,” he said, “and it leads to long-term relationships.”
Butman encouraged young people to work hard on those business relationships, as well as personal ones, and to follow their dreams. “Those people who help others succeed end up being successful themselves,” he said. Butman took that same helping mindset to his involvement at the International Erosion Control Association (IECA). Samantha A. Roe, IOM, IECA chief executive officer, said that while Butman was promoting his company, he was also elevating the importance of the erosion control industry globally. “As an industry, we need to place more focus on this,” she said.
Butman believes it’s important to educate and help the industry, especially those who are starting their efforts. “Sediment control is so important to our world,” he said.
While Butman was developing international markets and conducting sales worldwide, he also promoted IECA. “It’s always been a passion of mine to support the organization,” he said. Roe traveled to China with Butman. “I learned how deep his knowledge and commitment were to
the industry and the impact he has had internationally,” she said. Butman worked tirelessly to share information on erosion and sediment control, and he developed key contacts in over 80 countries.
His work led to the establishment of IECA chapters internationally. “Education about erosion and sediment control makes the world a better place,” he said. His former co-workers agree and praise him for making the world a greener and healthier environment.
Butman’s efforts have played a key role internationally and led to his receiving the 2025 IECA Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2022 IECA Sustained Contributor Award. His son Adam praised his ability to intersect business leadership with passion and impact. Adam said his father devoted “35-plus years of service to an industry that is transforming, shaping and preserving our environment through innovation in horticulture, erosion control and sports turf management. His career efforts have helped shape agriscience on a global scale, preserving and maintaining millions of acres of land.”
Such comments bring the elder Butman to tears. He is proud of his two sons, Jake and Adam, and daughter, Brittney, as well as his wife, Eileen, of 46 years, who kept the household running when Butman’s job demanded heavy travel.
Now that Butman has retired, he is looking forward to some consulting opportunities along with some Board activities. But more importantly, he will be spending more time with his family, including his six grandkids, and improving his golf game. “Now that I have more time to play, I have no excuses,” he said.
About the Expert
• Joy Dickinson is the editor of Environmental Connection.
