So as the Team Manager, what are you doing to manage all the different personalities and priorities of the team?
It’s not an easy job at all. Most would think it is, but truth be told so much more comes into play when you’re the manager. Attitudes are not an issue at the moment, so much as I’m good friends with everyone and they understand I’m only trying to help, yet somehow it feels you’re depended on for more than what’s officially expected of a TM. But one thing is certain, for the US market I’m the “go to guy” when it comes to requests. Luckily we have a great new distribution facility in Los Angeles, “Sure Grip,” and our sales manager, John McFadden, helps me at every turn, making sure we get back to the top here in the US.

Besides the addition of Franky and Montre, any new team members to be announced?
There’s one more to come, but it might not be as much of a shock. It’s just well deserved. I’d say our team is as strong as it’s been in a very long while. Everyone is close friends to one another and the vibes are right.

Earlier this year you told me your last pro skate sold out and that another one is in the works. Can you tell us more about that?
My new pro skate was delayed, mostly because I spend a lot of my time working with everyone else. I leave myself ’til the last minute so there’s never a chance to finalize the designs. At the moment it looks like at my next skate will be a Classic Throne and should release for spring next year. I can say that I’m considering making the color more toned down from before… something that I can wear all the time. Classic, ya know?

I know you have a lot of ideas on how to grow blading, strengthen blading — that kind of thing. Any you’d like to share?
So many I’d like to share but to be honest, at this moment, it’s rough. I feel that skaters, business owners, even the industry has, on occasion, been let down by me because of my inability to follow through on some of my enthusiastic ideas and efforts to help. Due to this I’m going to move on to the next question, and by doing that I’m one step closer to following through on something I promised you. So I’m going to stick to this philosophy at the moment. But I can say that someone recently told me a very interesting story about a man who went to chop down this massive tree with a small axe. Everyone thought he was crazy, but in response to everyone’s question about how he was going to chop the tree down he replied, “I’ll just swing at it five times every day when I wake. Eventually the tree will fall.” This is how I’m going about catching up and getting closer to implementing some of my ideas and goals.

What’re your travel plans looking like for the year?
2013 will be one another year of traveling the world. I am feeling it. I want to go to South America, Europe ’cause it’s been a while, and hopefully for a change I’ll get to go to some islands like Greece ,or maybe even get over to Asia.

What’re your life plans for the year?
Would love to bring some of my family along with me to one, if not many, of the places I mentioned above. Traveling and experiencing life with the ones you love is more important to me than anything. It brings such a tight bond, and creates memories that last a life time. Also I’m planning to start my own business using some of the inventions/ideas I have already put work into. It should be an interesting year.

Okay Dem, thanks for talking with us and sharing some of your perspective. We know you can get things done, and we’re looking forward to seeing results! Best of luck on everything you’re working on this year.
Thanks for taking the time to listen, and for supporting me throughout. Keep doing what you’re doing. And if you’re reading this now, you’ve finished with my book-length interview. Lol. Go out and shred.

—DEM USD 2013