The House that Foam Built

"We are heartbroken by the unexpected passing of Doug Commette, a true legend in the spray foam industry and a cherished member of the Spray Foam Magazine family. Doug was the co-owner of Niche Digital Media, the company that publishes Spray Foam Magazine, and his vision, leadership, and passion helped shape not only our publication but the industry as a whole.

Doug was married to Margo Commette, our executive editor, and our hearts are especially with Margo and family during this unimaginably difficult time. Doug’s impact reached far beyond business. He was a mentor, a friend, and a guiding force whose influence will continue to inspire us for years to come. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all who were touched by his remarkable life and career."
- Spray Foam Magazine Team

Spray Foam Magazine – Winter 2025 – There is a foamily who are proving that spray foam is more than just a job. For them, it's a matter of passion and purpose. We speak to the Commette foamily about piloting the complex, and often emotional, intersection of family and business. They share how they've balanced personal relationships with professional ambition to ensure their family's legacy continues to thrive.

The foundation:
Denis Commette

Tell us about your childhood? I grew up in Montclair, NJ with three sisters, one older and two younger and a younger brother. My father was a maritime lawyer, and my mother was a high fashion model, a media magazine model as well as starring in TV commercials.

You graduated from Villanova with an Engineering degree how did that background shape your problem-solving approach later in life? My father advised me to pursue subjects I enjoyed. Excelling in mathematics, science, and languages, I chose Civil Engineering. This field’s focus on innovation and problem-solving complemented my careers as a pilot and president of a manufacturing company.

Can you tell us about your time in the Navy, what did you do, and what lessons stayed with you throughout your career? I entered service in the Navy flight program after graduation during the Vietnam War, where training was intense and fast-paced. I earned my wings one year after my first solo flight and got married to my college sweetheart in that same year. As a naval officer and pilot, I was stationed at Barbers Point, HI, flying in the Pacific theater, including Vietnam. This challenging time was made possible by the unwavering support of my wife, who embodied the spirit of a Navy wife. I learned valuable lessons about attention to detail, teamwork, and the pursuit of excellence.

How did you first get introduced to the spray foam industry? Was there a particular moment or person that pulled you in? Well family folklore would say it was my mother who was responsible since she and Fred Gusmer started chatting at the local market one day. He was proud of his company and my mother was proud of her son. There developed some mutual interest, and the rest is history.

Which accomplishment are you most proud of, from the Navy to aviation, to foam? Many proud moments in the Navy which all started by my commissioning as a naval officer and ultimately earning the Navy Wings of Gold. Of course, being appointed the President of Gusmer Corporation is a highlight as well as being the architect of several patents. Our acquisition and mutual development of Gusmer Europe would be one of our signature accomplishments.

How did you start developing machinery? How did you decide on names for your equipment innovations? Let’s begin with the names. The FF series was named after its developers, Fred Werner, and Fred Gusmer. The H series included hydraulic machines. The first new foam gun was the GX-7, inspired by my Raichle ski boots model KX-7. Subsequent names were derivatives of these. In the early 1970s, our product line featured the FF proportioner, H-II proportioner, AR gun, and heated hoses.

While successful, the lineup had become stagnant. My philosophy was, “If it ain’t broke, you haven’t looked hard enough; fix it anyway.” This approach led our product development team to respond to market demands with improvements in pressure, output, and heat control.

What problems were you trying to solve? Adapting the equipment to the emerging chemical systems and in particular the foam coatings which required much morse precise application. Phil Kamins, the CEO of PMC (the parent company of Gusmer) was a mentor to me and a person I could always go to for advice and the sharing of ideas. The Vice President of the Gusmer Corporation and Plastics Management Group was Fred Martin, a close friend, a fellow military pilot and the rock that anchored the group. My concentration was product development and sales while Fred managed the business activities of the company. We were a formidable team and I am thankful for his friendship and contribution to our success.

When you weren’t in the office, what hobbies did you enjoy? Sailing, wind surfing, racquetball, tennis, and bike riding.

What values guided your leadership style? When I became President, I recognized the importance of defining our corporate culture at Gusmer. I published a six-page document that emphasized our values: creating a fun work environment, respecting employees, providing quality products at fair prices, and ensuring excellent customer service. My leadership approach, “management by walking around,” involved daily visits to the manufacturing plant to interact with employees. We removed formal break periods and offered free coffee, soda, and snacks, allowing employees to take breaks when they needed them. We also eliminated the time clock, treating every employee as on time, which helped boost their pride.

After retiring, what did you enjoy doing most during your free time? My wife and I spent the next eight years cruising and living full time on our sailboat while traveling up and down the East coast from Maine to the Bahamas.

“All in the Foamily” is about roots and relationships, how has your family been a part of your journey? My wife played a key role in managing family affairs while I focused on work and traveled abroad, often joining me on trips and getting to know our foreign distributors. Our family involvement deepened when our son Doug joined the company after college, followed by our daughter Lisa as the marketing manager. Also, it was very prideful to see them work a trade show together representing Gusmer. To have my son, daughter-in-law, daughter, grandson, granddaughter, and now niece follow in my footsteps is quite a legacy of which I am justly proud of, and they did it on their own!

Your son Doug came to work with you out of college in the marketing department, what was the biggest father/son hurdle you had to overcome? Memory? Doug calling me “Dad” in the workplace was an interesting dynamic. Gusmer Corp, founded by an engineer, initially succeeded through patented technology. As President, I prioritized a technically driven approach, focusing on future design needs over current market demands. Initially, I resisted Doug’s proposal to transition to a market-driven company until his first business plan opened our eyes. Embracing his marketing philosophy and a well-designed business plan became pivotal for the company’s growth. One of my memorable moments was when Doug, as president, negotiated a deal with Chrysler Corporation to provide them with state-of-the-art automotive equipment.

The framework:
Doug Commette

Where did you go to college and what was your degree? University of Rhode Island and graduated with a Business Administration degree / Major in Marketing.

Growing up, did you always know you’d follow in your father’s footsteps in the spray foam industry, or did that path unfold naturally over time? I initially didn’t want to work for my dad because I wanted to prove I could succeed on my own. I interned in marketing at Gusmer during my summer off from college. After graduating, I moved to Florida but found the vending machine sales job unrewarding. When Gusmer offered me a full-time marketing position, I decided to return to New Jersey and seize the opportunity.

What lessons or values did your father instill in you that still guide your business decisions today? “It’s better to remain silent and be thought of as a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.” He told me this after a meeting, which made me reflect on what I had said during our discussion. From the manufacturing perspective, he was always in relentless pursuit of quality control and higher-performing products.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced transitioning from marketing into the role of President? I wanted to earn my position rather than be seen as someone who received it because of my father. When I began in marketing, I arrived early, stayed late, joined the company softball team, and took the time to connect with my colleagues.

How did working alongside your father influence your leadership style? I wouldn’t know leadership if it wasn’t for my dad. I learned everything from him. I didn’t know if I believed it at first but came to see he was right.

When you decided to branch out and start your own ventures, what inspired that leap, and how did your family respond? I was traveling a lot, and we were starting our family, so I decided with my training and desire to have my own business, it was time to give it a shot.

Your wife is now the publisher of the global industry magazine that you had started years ago, that’s a big role and a meaningful continuation of your shared vision. How does it feel to see her leading the charge? It feels incredible. To see what I had created be taken over by her and its better than I could have ever imagined. If I need anything creative, I call on her, she’s got great wit!

Having built and steered the publication together in the beginning, do you two still bounce ideas off each other, or have you learned to let her fully steer the ship? I am there when she needs me for technical questions, and she bounces article ideas and titles off me. Some of them are so creative!

What strengths do you think she brings to the magazine that make it shine in its current form? No one understands the blood, sweat, and tears she puts into this magazine like our family does. Her commitment to achieving the best overall look for each issue is unmatched. She has built a fantastic team, and they all deserve recognition for the magazine’s success.

Continuing the family tradition, your son Alex has also now joined the spray foam industry. How does it feel watching that third generation step into the world you and your father helped shape? I am very proud of him; he is one of the smartest people I work with. I enjoy teaching him marketing and it seems to come extremely natural to him. He has also proven that he wasn’t just handed a position because he is my son, he has earned the respect of others in the company and that is impressive.

The windows:
Margo Commette

Can you share what your life was like prior to your entry into the spray foam industry? Well…I guess that was high school! Lol. Honestly, as soon as I started dating Doug, I think I was unofficially recruited into the spray foam industry! But on a more serious note, I was a graphic designer by trade, working in layout and design. Doug had taught me a desktop publishing program and my graphic design career began from that. When starting our family, I became a stay-at-home mom before formally entering the spray foam industry.

In what ways does collaborating with your family influence your relationships with them, positively or negatively? I really enjoy when we get to bounce ideas off each other. We’re great at leaning on each other’s strengths when needed. Of course, when we don’t see eye to eye, things get a little less “fun.”

Your husband established Spray Foam Magazine, how has the editorial vision of the publication evolved during your tenure? Doug launched Spray Foam Magazine as a digital venture, and I’ll never forget the day he sold his first advertisement. I began assisting with finances, and at a trade show, a supplier offered to advertise in every issue if we included print version. So, we did and haven’t looked back. I’ve highlighted contractors and their projects, and many have told us that these features helped them win jobs. We also include insights from industry veterans, achieving a strong balance in our content.

What factors have influenced your decision to remain in or return to the spray foam business? I love the team I work with, and it's them who keep me here. I truly enjoy my job. Learning about others in the industry and their stories fascinates me. I’m often amazed by the creative uses of foam in our projects. Having my family in the same industry is a big advantage. We often attend the same conferences, allowing us to spend quality time together. There’s a shared understanding, and I appreciate being able to bounce ideas off them!

Front door:
Lisa Commette

How did your background help with your career? I graduated from Seton Hall University with a BA in English and a minor in psychology, later earning my MBA. In the following years, I held various management roles and often sought advice from my brother Doug. Recognizing my potential, Doug offered me the opportunity to interview for the Assistant Marketing Manager position at Gusmer. Once I joined the company, I was driven by a desire to succeed and make my family proud. After proving myself, I was promoted to Marketing Manager. After a little over three and a half years at Gusmer, I decided it was time to venture out on my own.

What does family mean to you? Family means everything to me, and I wouldn’t trade the early years of my career spent working alongside my brother and father for anything. I truly value the experience of working with the entire Gusmer family.

Support beams:
Alex Commette

Was working for the family business always part of your plan, or did you consider a different career path at any point? After I graduated, I had big plans to work in the sports industry, but then COVID-19 changed everything. I ended up at a Fortune 500 company in sales, which turned out to be a great learning experience for building my business and communication skills. However, after three years, I realized my heart wasn’t really in it. I then reached out to my dad and his partner, Ted, to explore opportunities at Profoam, and the rest is history.

How do you believe your individual role contributes to the overall success of the company? I work in business development, inside sales, and advertising, focusing on lead generation, supporting the marketing team, and improving sales systems. Recently, I also started selling equipment, which lets me experience the process from lead generation to final sale.

What have you learned professionally from your father now that you are working alongside him? Honestly, I couldn’t fit it all on paper. From strategy to sales to accounting, I’ve learned so much. My mom has been just as influential; she’s shown me what it means to lead with integrity and perseverance in a male-dominated industry. Both of my parents have poured their hearts into this business, and their dedication inspires me daily.

What do you do in your spare time? I’m a huge sports fan. I pretty much love every sport, and when I get a chance, I play golf and snowboard. I also love to travel and recently took an amazing vacation in Japan.

What do you enjoy most about working with family? I take pride in being part of something bigger and working with trusted people. Continuing my family’s spray foam legacy with my parents is special and feels like both a responsibility and an honor. I'm excited by the industry's innovation in equipment, sustainability, and business practices. I’m proud to be part of the next generation carrying this torch forward.

The Skylight:
Callie Commette

Growing up in a family so deeply connected to the spray foam industry, what was it like to explore that world yourself and at what point did you realize it just wasn’t the right fit for you? After moving to Georgia from Florida, I found it hard to find a job working with special needs children, so I decided to try to work with my dad at Profoam. I worked in several departments before realizing it just wasn’t for me, and I really wanted to get back to helping individuals on the spectrum..

Do you have any memorable industry memories? I remember going to an expo with my dad when I was young…maybe 8 or 9…and “working” the tabletop display with him and Dudley. Even though I didn’t last long at Profoam in the office, I feel I have been in the spray foam industry for many, many years!

You’ve found your true calling working with children on the autism spectrum. What inspired that passion, and how does it fulfill you in ways that the spray foam industry didn’t? My commitment to supporting children with special needs grew when we moved to Florida, and I saw The Learning Center for kids on the autism spectrum being built. I applied for a job there as soon as it opened and worked there for five years before moving to Georgia.

The Porch:
Sheehan Commette

What made you decide to enter the spray foam industry? My husband and I wanted to build something of our own, something that combined our skills. After several conversations with my father and my cousin Doug, we began looking more seriously at whether this could be a business that fit our strengths. Once we took the Profoam training course, we could confidently step into this industry and build something solid from the ground up.

How did you learn the ropes from your family members? Doug and Alex have spent countless hours teaching me about marketing, organization, and the systems needed to keep everything running smoothly.

Now that you’re established as a contractor, does your family continue to support or collaborate with you in your work? Yes, all the time. And not just Doug and Alex, but several other family members who are business owners as well. I’ve been lucky to grow up in a family full of entrepreneurs, and I really enjoy learning from them and collaborating whenever I can.  

The Bricks

Behind every successful family stands a remarkable woman. This "Foamily" honors the late Carol Fitzpatrick Commette, affectionately known as Mimi. A devoted wife, caring mother, and loving grandmother, her immense strength, wisdom, beauty, generosity, and grace will forever illuminate the path for the Commette family.