Kudos
Doug Leasure
It has been a pleasure to know Dominic both as a coworker and as a friend. I can positively agree with and echo the comments that the others have written about being around and working with Dom. The only thing that I would add to this is that if Dom and his family decided to move back to Maryland, we would hire him back as soon as he is available. We would make a position for him if one is not open at that time.
You get the picture. Dom is a great guy and a very hard, intelligent worker.
Patrick Damron, Furbish Company Site and Project Management
My name is Patrick Damron and have joined the Furbish Company in the capacity of site and project management. My experience in construction management spans 15 years in which time I have excelled in operations management and employee education and retention. I thank you for letting me share a few words on behalf of one of the finest individuals that I have ever met, Dominic Knipfing.
I have had the blessing of having both a professional and a personal relationship with Dominic. As a supervisor Dominic is confident and courteous. He compels his crew to perform at or above their potential by his genuine effort and extraordinary ethic. Dominic instills in his crew the sense that he is truly concerned for their well being on the job site. He is truly unique in the fact that he projects virtually no ego or entitlement in that his focus is on providing the best method in each step of any particular job. If there is a comment or suggestion from one of his crew members, Dom gives it genuine consideration and is obviously joyed when someone in his employ provides a method that improves on the task at hand. He is quick to compliment yet steadfast in keeping with proper procedure and has exemplary interpersonal skills. He is a great communicator and strives to broaden his knowledge base or improve on existing skill sets. Dominic has the unique ability to assess contentious conditions amongst his peers and diffuse them quickly always leaving the opportunity for those experiencing the contention to follow up with him and redirect their animosity towards a permanent and healthy solution. Dominic exudes respect, ownership, reliability and accountability.
Personally, I have found a true friend in Dominic. He is always available and intuitive concerning the needs of his fellows. When presenting any problem or concern to Dominic it is certain that he is not only listening but authentically considering what is being expressed and looking for solutions or healthy advice. Dominic is one of those rare people that I know will always follow through on any commitment. He has the ability to bring out a smile and a sense of well-being during the most trying of situations. His gentle manner and keen senses are truly a gift. I marvel at his love for life and his passion for his family. He is considerate beyond compare and wise beyond his years. I have never before experienced such love, loyalty and selflessness from any other individual than I have with Dominic Knipfing. Although I am glad that Dominic is able to return to his family, who are surely at a loss with his absence, I am truly saddened by his departure. I am extremely confident in speaking for everyone here when I say that our sense of loss, personally and professionally, is great and his absence will be felt for a long time to come.Regards,
Patrick N. Damron
William Weaver, Goucher College Class of 2010
I worked with Dominic putting together a workshop/plastering project for the Campus Agriculture Co-op, a campus club I am involved with. Dominic worked with me to source tools and materials to run a weekend long workshop on Lime plaster. Dominic worked with us to figure out solutions for our budget and administrative barriers in an efficient an helpful way. Throughout the project, Dominic consistently communicated with us that left us feeling informed and on top of the project. Dominic showed a very active concern for maintaining a safe work atmosphere. Not only was Dominic great to work with at a business level, but he was even better to work with on a personal level. He left everybody feeling happy and an important part of the group.
Eric Hekler, Ph.D.
I first met Dom when he auditioned and was accepted into the Earth Tones, an a cappella group that I co-led at the University at Albany. Dom was always the rock of stability in many different ways for the group. He has an unbelievable calming influence on anyone around him. Further, he is a hard worker who was always ready with his music and willing to help out with any tasks. Finally, he has a gift for listening to others and helping them refocus and move on during hard tasks. Besides, this semi-professional relationship, Dom and I also became friends which included sharing an apartment with a few of our other friends. While Dom and I were living together, he was practicing his trade as a vegan chef. My grandfather was a butcher, so I couldn’t really fathom a meal that didn’t include meat AND dairy. Thankfully, Dom was very gracious with sharing his many wonderful creations and now, though I still eat meat, I eat much less of it and only if it is raised in an ethical and sustainable manor. In many ways, it was Dom that planted the seed for my current eating habits and I am eternally grateful to him.
Eric Hekler, Ph.D.
Post Doctoral Research Fellow
Stanford Prevention Research Center
Medical School Office Building: Mail Code 5411
Jonathan Constable, Marketing Furbish Company
I first met Dom while I was interning at Furbish Company during the Summer of 2008. Dom would come into the office with a big smile, and everyone would stop what they were doing to say hey. His positive attitude was infectious, and always filled our office with energy. It was not until months later that I actually got to work with Dom in the field. In the face of an extremely difficult job, in terrible winter conditions, Dom kept things moving with his exceptional skill set and up beat attitude. Dom is a natural problem solver, a born leader, and fun to be around. He will be an incredible asset wherever he ends up, and will be missed.
Chris Raybourne, Furbish Company Field worker and Co-worker
Dom has been a great supervisor and friend to me. He has shown relentless patience when it comes to teaching me new skills, and efficient techniques and methods to complete tasks; both of which I often struggle with. Aside from work related advice, over time, he has also given me personal advice, and has served as somewhat of a mentor to me, as I slowly opened up to him more. He is one of the kindest, hard working, driven, but at the same time, approachable people I have ever met. Which has garnered great respect in my eyes as well as our fellow coworkers.
Emily Taub, Goucher College Class of 2011
I am a student at Goucher College, and met Dominic when the Campus Agricultural Coop was constructing a shed for our garden. With Dominic’s help we were able to create a functional and beautiful structure that suited our needs, abilities and budget very well. I worked closely with Dominic to bring the project together, and our interactions have left me with a high regard for him and his work. Dominic is a very warm person with a great deal of integrity, and an ability to understand a project from the point of view of his clients. He went above and beyond to make sure everything went smoothly, and that everyone felt comfortable and safe throughout the process. We all greatly enjoyed working with and getting to know Dominic — he is a valuable asset to any project.
Rick Truett, Partner and Project Manager, Furbish Company
I’m Rick Truett, a Partner and Project Manager for Furbish Company. I met Dom and his family when they came to visit a large project we were working on a few years ago north of DC. Dom struck me immediately as energetic, attentive, and very interested in our line of work. Not long after that, he hired on board and it turned out to be one of the best decisions we have made as a firm. He has proven himself over and over again to be a dedicated, reliable, hard working individual in any assignment he is given. He is eager to learn, takes constructive criticism well, and is a fast study. We are all sad to see him go. We will miss the friendship, awesome attitude and the energy he brings to our work. Please feel free to call any time if you would like to discuss Dom’s impact on our firm in more detail.
Rick Truett
Ayehlet Cooper, Coworker, Furbish Co.
“Dominic is always a pleasure to be around; the warmth and strength of his personality makes everyone feel uplifted and work better. He gives every project his all, no matter the size, and attacks problems with intelligence, creativity, and diligence. If you ask Dom to do something once, you can be assured that it will get done, and well. This reliability and level of commitment is a huge relief in stressful and complicated work environments.”
My Cousin Dom
“My 2nd cousin Dominic Knipfing …..is just an amazing , positive, hard-working, polite , friendly, innovative, caring person…Dom’s mom and dad, and all 3 of his brothers are the same…You’d be proud to be related to any of the Knipfings- as I am….Dom brings an energy to any job…he truly cares about his work, AND the world around him (we NEED more people like Dom)…..Dominic has faced a lot of adversity, with a smile…I believe THAT quality may be his greatest….Dominic brings a package of talents and strengths ANY employer would benefit from…If you’re searching for a great worker AND role model…look no further………………..Thanks, Mike Ricigliano”
December 3, 2008
Re: Reference Letter for Dominic Knipfing
To Whom It May Concern
Allow this letter to state our unequivocal, highest recommendation for Dominic. We are a small-but-rapidly-growing “green” subcontractor in Maryland with expertise in strawbale, natural plasters, solar thermal, vegetated roof covers, vegetated retaining walls, and interior biofilters. We have also begun some small urban redevelopment projects where we incorporate our passion for alternative systems to increase building performance.
Dom has been with us for approximately 1.5 years and has worked on all the systems mentioned above. We have a heavy heart and much regret in realizing that Dom will be moving away from us. He is an outstanding and remarkable asset to our field execution. The reasons are many, but let me mention a few.
First, Dom is reliable. He is always on time. He never has excuses in spite of managing some difficult family logistics and long commutes. Second, he is always upbeat, positive, cheerful. His attitude is infectious; the days are a little sunnier when Dom is present. This goes a long way in keeping morale on job sites upbeat. Third, Dom has an unbelievable work ethic. He is more productive than any other individual on our crews. I think he drinks kryptonite. Fourth, he is a good leader. He is respectful in his presentation to others, clear in his direction, and leads by example. People enjoy working with and for Dom. Fifth, he is passionate about sustainable building. He is a sponge for learning and quick to put new concepts into practice. Sixth, Dom is principled and works with the highest level of integrity.
I could go on. Dom will be an asset to whoever hires him. He will be missed here, but we wish him much success. If any additional information is required, I welcome your call or email.
Kindly,
Michael Furbish
President
