Heath Dunn’s kids would describe his career as “being a rock guy.”
Dunn’s career has spanned the world of hardscaping and masonry, so while that description might be a little broad, it definitely covers what he has built.
“When I first came back to Gagne & Son, I had more people come to me and say, ‘What do you do, exactly?’” Dunn said. “Some days I’m still not entirely sure, but that’s part of what keeps it interesting.”
That ambiguity is part of the appeal. Now, as the Director of Sales at Gagne & Son—an 81 year-old company with seven locations across Maine—Dunn’s role is intentionally wide-ranging. No two days look the same and that variety has given him a deep appreciation for the industry as a whole.
A Career Path of Exploration
Growing up in Readfield, Maine, Dunn started his career in construction, working alongside his father building houses.
“That’s an experience I’ll always be grateful for,” Dunn said. “Working with your dad every day isn’t easy—especially when you’re a lot alike—but it taught me a lot about work ethic, accountability, and respect. I learned more than how to build houses. I learned how to be a better man by working beside him and learning from him.”
When a sales position opened at Gagne & Son, Dunn saw an opportunity to stay connected to the building industry while exploring a different avenue. He began in counter sales at the Belgrade location, spending a year and a half learning products, customers, and day-to-day operations before moving into store management roles in Westbrook and Auburn.
After seven years with the company, Dunn stepped away to broaden his experience. His next stop was Cornerstone Architectural Products, where he sold architectural precast and served as Director of Sales. The role took him across the country setting up dealers and building sales teams.
“I really enjoyed the challenge,” Dunn said. “But the travel adds up quickly when you have young kids at home—and trust me, they start keeping track of how often you’re gone.”
After a couple of years, he transitioned to Bellefleur Masonry, where he spent six years in project management and estimating.
“That experience gave me a completely different view of the industry,” he said. “Seeing projects from the estimating and management side helped me understand what it truly takes to bring a building to life—and it made me a much better salesperson when I returned to that role.”
When new ownership at Gagne & Son began reinvesting in the company and positioning it for growth, Dunn was approached about returning. He has been back for nearly three years and was recently promoted to Director of Sales.
“We’re ready and poised to grow,” Dunn said. “Being able to have an opportunity to step into a leadership role with a company that has this kind of history and momentum is exciting to me.”
The Power of Relationships
“I really like growing relationships with people and learning about them,” he said. “Sales doesn’t have to be stiff or scripted. When there’s trust, some personality, and a little humor mixed in, that’s when people really want to work with you.”
That philosophy extends beyond customers. Dunn is active in the Emerging Professionals Group (EPG) with the Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association (CMHA), where he values the opportunity to learn from peers, share ideas, and build connections across the industry.
“Networking and relationships are what really help people move forward,” he said. “Groups like CMHA let you see what others are doing in different markets and build connections that last longer than a single project.”
Dunn also serves on the Executive Committee for the Maine Landscape and Nursery Association (MELNA), supporting education, collaboration, and the long-term health of the industry across the state.
In addition, he is a member of the Planning Board for the City of Waterville, where he has lived for the past 25 years.
“It’s important to give back,” Dunn said. “Whether it’s supporting the industry or being involved locally in your community, staying engaged matters.”
Nearly every step in Dunn’s career has come through relationships he has cultivated over time.
“It’s the connections you make along the way,” he said. “You might not see the payoff right away, but those relationships often end up being the ones that move you forward.”
Advice for Aspiring Hardscapers
When Dunn first transitioned from construction into sales, much of his education came through observation and mentorship.
“I had some really great people to learn from,” he said. “I’ve always tried to take bits and pieces from how others approach their work and build my own style from that.”
That eagerness to learn is something he looks for when hiring new team members.
“What excites me is seeing passion—people who want to succeed, want to grow relationships, and want to understand products,” he said.
Candidates who visit a Gagne & Son store or research the company before an interview immediately stand out.
He also encourages aspiring hardscapers to jump into networking, even if it feels uncomfortable.
“There’s an inherent awkwardness at first that you just have to embrace,” Dunn said. “But once you get past that, it becomes rewarding. You look back and realize those early conversations weren’t nearly as bad as you thought.”
Dunn notes that while people may move between companies, they rarely leave the masonry or hardscaping industry entirely.
“Once people come into this industry, they don’t usually leave,” he said. “It’s a good group of people, and that makes a big difference.”
Appreciating the Journey
Over the course of his career, Dunn has learned that life rarely follows a straight path, but it’s the journey that he sees as his biggest achievement.
“If I look at my career as a whole, I’m proud that I’ve continued to grow and progress,” he said. “That matters more to me than any specific opportunity.”
As for describing what he does every day, Dunn still thinks his kids might have it right when they call him “a rock guy.”
In an industry built on stone and sustained by trust, being “a rock guy” references more than just the physical material. It’s Dunn showing up with pride in the work, respect for the people behind it, and a steady presence others can count on. In the end, that’s what lasts.
