Dick Kampfen, 82, is a 65-year veteran of the industry, starting as a self-employed general engineering contractor to now serving as executive vice president of SIMFLO. As his nominator stated, “Dick plays a pivotal role on the company’s senior leadership team, helping to guide its strategic direction and continued growth. His deep well of experience, unmatched technical knowledge and passion for the industry make him an irreplaceable asset not only to SIMFLO, but to the pump sector at large.”
Over the course of Kampfen’s career, the industry has undergone a plethora of changes. As an example, Kampfen mentioned he learned penmanship in school using a quill pen and inkwell. He elaborated, “Everything changed over the course of my career, from dipping a fountain pen into a bottle of ink to downloading an AI program on a laptop. Technology was not even a word when I started working. Today, technology is how we work. What we do has not changed, but everything has changed about how we do it.”
As for advice Kampfen would offer to young professionals, he stressed the importance of a strong work ethic. “My father always reminded me to ‘trade in your alarm clock for a lantern.’ Simply put, it meant to work hard and do whatever it takes to get the job done. Also, I was reminded that when you work hard, you should also play hard, but always remember that the work is what allows for the play.”
Talking about his favorite part of working in the industry all this time, Kampfen specifically highlighted the people. “Coworkers, customers and even competitors are some of the best people on the planet. Many have become lifelong friends.” As for the hardest part, he pointed out the impact his actions could have on the people around him. “If I failed at something, it was my employees who would suffer the most. Many sleepless nights were spent worrying about how to not fail those who were dependent upon me.”
Lastly, Kampfen remarked on what working in the industry over the years has meant to him. “It has provided an environment that was never boring and always presented challenges that created new opportunities. I never considered what I was doing as a job but rather as a way of life. A very good way of life.”
Outside of the industry, what do you enjoy doing?
Occasional getaways in our motorhome, often to a NASCAR race, and working on my vintage Jeepster.
What, in your opinion, are the biggest challenges that the industry is facing?
The pump industry is no different than many other industries. Recruiting and training young talent is an issue. Also, the tremendous amount of regulation, certification, documentation, etc., can be overwhelming and have serious negative effects upon a business.
Is there anything else about you you’d like to share?
My wife Barbara and I just celebrated our 62nd anniversary and are enjoying our three sons, five grandkids, four great-grandkids and all the other family members that come with them.
For more industry veteran profiles, visit pumpsandsystems.com/tags/industry-veterans.
