ENVIRONMENTAL CONNECTION / THIRD QUARTER 2025 / IECA.ORG 35 >> By Joy Dickinson Wally Butman A Life Defined By Mentoring, Coaching 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 INDUSTRY PROFILE Wally Butman 2025 IECA Lifetime Achievement Award Winner
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