Excellent Relationship

I spent a while today contemplating about Russ and his work. About his time spent behind the scenes, nameless and faceless, working for the best and the respected.
One of the things I love about him is his ability to do that, silently, without credit....because he loves and respects the people he worked for and because his standards are those of excellence.

He has spent years ghost-shaping for the best and has done so, willingly and without the need to be recognized.

Well, now that we have ventured into our own business and companies have been bought and sold..... I think it's time to type out his resume without hesitation.

Russ is an excellent! shaper and highly skilled craftsmen. I can say, without any doubt or bias that he values doing his craft with perfection and with integrity.....he is not one to cut corners to save time or cost, but will build a surfboard until he is satisfied with the final product.

He spent fifteen years working for and under the best! With gratefulness and with pride.
And silently.
Fine - shaping boards for the best surfers in the world and loving the opportunity to do so.

He has known the standards set out before him and has does his best to fulfill them.

Now...... the opportunity to create and perfect his own designs is set out before him.

He also values relationship! Rare these days. He really does appreciate and value every surfer who comes across his path, willing to spend the extra little bit of time, talking and evaluating.....dreaming and building.

I often ask Russ about his day.....and today two things stood out.....Chris and Eric 'the Bird', two local surfers, popped round to the shaping room and were excited about surfboards and the epoxy work Russ is doing. Russ was excited too. Stoked.
Russ also texted photos of board's he's working on to a client in Hawaii......just because he wanted to include the customer in the progress......and the reply: " OMG! Beautiful...thanks for the best picture message of 2010. Stoked, Aloha."

That's what I love about him. Excellence for his craft and genuine love for his fellow man.