Wesley Baum, Technical and Field Support Manager/Western US Sales Manager, Laykold
Deep knowledge that connects the lab to the field.
Wesley Baum’s career at Laykold is defined by his deep understanding of how products perform beyond the lab. With nearly two decades at the company, he has worked across R&D, field installation, and technical sales, connecting court chemistry with real-world application and reflecting Laykold’s commitment to delivering beyond the surface.
How did you get started in the sports surfacing industry? What were you doing before Laykold?
At college, I was actually studying chemistry and planned to teach. I went to school originally for pre-med, ran track, and then shifted toward education. I ended up getting my BS in chemistry from Clarion University in Pennsylvania. That combination of chemistry and teaching really shaped how I work today, especially when it comes to explaining technical concepts to installers and facility owners in a way that’s practical and easy to understand.
Where did you grow up, and has that influenced your career path?
I was born and raised in Pennsylvania, exactly halfway between Pittsburgh and Erie, and I’ve stayed pretty local my whole life. I think that grounded, practical background plays into how I approach my work. I’ve never been someone who wanted to be stuck behind a desk or wearing a suit and tie every day.
How did you come to join Laykold?
After I graduated in 2006, I went through a headhunting firm, and I interviewed with Laykold. The interview was on a Friday morning, and by Monday I got a call asking if I wanted to start as a temp.
That temp role lasted a year, and it was my first real career job. Before that, I managed a bar while I was going to school. Funny enough, mixing drinks and mixing chemicals aren’t all that different – it’s a lot of testing and adjusting until you get the result you’re after.
What was your early role at Laykold?
My first eight years, I worked as an R&D chemist. It was very lab-focused – developing products, testing formulations, working in a controlled environment where everything behaves the way it’s supposed to.
But as time went on, we realized there was a disconnect between what we saw in the lab and what actually happened once products were installed in the field.
“We’re tournament proven. Being the official surface of the US Open, along with events like Miami Open and Indian Wells, shows what our court systems can do under the most demanding conditions. That experience matters.”
What changed when you moved out of the lab and into the field?
The lab is a perfect environment. You have ideal temperatures, ideal humidity, nothing really goes wrong. The field is the exact opposite. You’re dealing with weather, surface conditions, and all the variables that come with outdoor construction.
About 10 years ago, I took on more of a field-based role. I went out with installers and learned how to install all of our products. I’ve scraped courts, squeegeed layers, and worked through full builds. I’m comfortable doing every layer of a tennis court except the finish coats – that’s an art form, and it takes real skill to make it look right.
That experience helped me understand why things don’t always perform in the field the way they do in the lab, and it ultimately helped us develop better, more reliable products.
What is your current role?
The last couple of years, I’ve been more focused on technical sales. A typical day involves a lot of calls with contractors, installers, facility owners – asking questions like, “How should we do this?” or “What system should we use here?”
I also spend time writing technical papers and providing guidance. My role today is really about bridging knowledge: helping people make the right decisions based on chemistry, application, and real-world experience.
What keeps you motivated after 18 years with Laykold?
Honestly, I love what I do. I love the sport, and I love the industry. I’m not a suit-and-tie kind of guy — I’m a shorts-and-T-shirt kind of guy — and the tennis and pickleball surfacing world fits me perfectly.
I also enjoy helping people solve problems. When someone calls with an issue and I can help them understand what’s happening and how to fix it, that’s rewarding.
What are the biggest changes you’ve seen in the industry over time?
One of the biggest challenges right now has nothing to do with acrylics — it’s asphalt and concrete. Asphalt isn’t what it was 10 or 15 years ago because oil refining has changed so much. On the concrete side, manufacturing processes have shifted due to environmental regulations, and that’s led to more adhesion issues with acrylic products.
Those changes mean that R&D, testing, and technical support are more important than ever.
What about changes for the athletes?
There’s been a lot of development around force-reduction cushion courts, which is a big positive for players, especially for practice facilities – these systems really matter. They’re better on athletes’ bodies and allow them to train and play longer.
We are also constantly improving our ability to zero in on pace consistency. This is especially valuable for pro events, such as the US Open, where the players only have fractions of a second to react and time the ball. As a tennis fan, I love helping the best in the world play even better.
Where do you see the industry heading?
Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport, no question. We saw it explode in the U.S. during COVID, and now other countries are following. Padel is growing too, but I don’t think it will surpass pickleball, because pickleball is accessible. Everybody can play it.
What does Laykold’s role at the highest level of sport mean to you?
We’re tournament proven. Being the official surface of the US Open, along with events like Miami Open and Indian Wells, shows what our court systems can do under the most demanding conditions. That experience matters. It’s proof that our lab work and installation knowledge deliver under the brightest of lights.