Meet Paul Brown, General Manager at AstroTurf

Discover how Paul Brown's focus on quality and relationships drives success.

Paul Brown is the General Manager of AstroTurf’s Laykold division, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep connection to the sports surface industry. Raised in the world of tennis courts through his father's business, Paul has climbed the ranks from hands-on laborer to hands-on executive. Now managing AstroTurf’s direct court division, Paul oversees operations and sales, while maintaining his passion for quality and customer relationships.

How did you get into the sport surfacing industry?

My introduction to the sports surface industry started early. My father ran the Paul O. Brown Company back in the 1980s, specializing in tennis court construction. My brother and I would work with him every summer, gaining experience in the field. Over time, our company was acquired by Nagle Athletic Surfaces, and my father became General Manager of the tennis division. I followed suit, working my way up from field supervisor to regional sales manager when AstroTurf acquired Nagle six or seven years ago. Now, I’m the General Manager of AstroTurf's direct court division, which includes overseeing our work with Laykold materials.

What drew you to Sport Group?

One of the things that really excites me about Sport Group is the vertical integration. Coming from Nagle, where we focused solely on tennis courts and tracks, moving to AstroTurf gave us access to a wider range of products. We offer everything from synthetic turf to Laykold tennis courts, all while ensuring the highest quality, since all our materials are produced right here in Harmony, Pennsylvania. The focus on innovation and pushing the tennis industry forward with new products makes it a really dynamic place to work.

“The focus on innovation and pushing the tennis industry forward with new products makes Sport Group a really dynamic place to work.”

What’s your current role and what does it entail?

I’m a “selling” general manager, which means I’m both in charge of running the division and actively involved in sales. I manage our direct court operations in New York, parts of New England, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. We have four crews that handle installations, using Laykold materials. While we’re under the AstroTurf banner, we focus solely on Laykold products for tennis and pickleball courts. It’s a diverse role where I’m constantly on the move—whether managing projects or working directly with clients.

How has the industry evolved and what market trends have you noticed?

Pickleball has exploded over the past few years. At first, people were converting old tennis courts by simply painting pickleball lines on them. But now, we’re getting calls to build dedicated pickleball courts, and sometimes multiple ones at that. What’s interesting is the relatively small footprint of a pickleball court compared to a tennis court, making it more cost-effective to build. The growth is so fast that it’s become one of the most frequent requests we get. Schools and recreation centers, especially, are looking to add courts because the demand from players is so high.

How do you approach leadership?

My leadership philosophy is rooted in teamwork, something I learned from playing varsity football in high school. You’re only as good as the people around you, and everyone has to do their job for the team to succeed. I make it a point to regularly remind my team—superintendents, project managers, crews—that their work is essential. It doesn’t matter how much work we are able to sell without a team that can properly execute the schedule and installation. We focus heavily on communication and customer service to make sure the end product is top-notch. I always tell clients, “We’re not going anywhere,” so if there’s an issue, we’re here to fix it. Construction isn’t perfection, but how you handle challenges makes all the difference.

It sounds like your father played a huge role in shaping your career. Is there any advice he gave you that you still hold onto?

Definitely. My father was the most organized person I’ve ever met, and he emphasized the importance of relationships. In this business, you often deal with repeat customers, and building trust with them is essential. People do business with people they like and respect, and that personal connection makes the work more meaningful. I still live by that today. It’s not just about doing a job well; it’s about maintaining relationships and making sure everyone involved is happy with the outcome. That philosophy has served me well over the years.

What’s your sales philosophy?

My philosophy has always been transparency. I believe in over-explaining the process to clients so there are no surprises. I want them to understand not just the price, but the value behind the materials and work we’re doing. Take Laykold’s NuSurf, for example—it’s specifically designed for the Northeast’s harsh freeze-thaw cycles. I can explain how it moves with the asphalt, preventing cracks that cheaper, more rigid products might develop. It’s all about educating the client on why our products are better suited for their needs, even if the price tag is higher. In the long run, that level of trust and understanding pays off.

Can you tell us what’s most challenging on a project?

Scheduling tends to be one of the biggest challenges we face. Since we’re usually the last team on-site, we depend on everything else being done correctly before we can install the surface. If there’s a delay—whether it’s paving, fencing, or another contractor—it impacts our timeline, and we have to adjust quickly. It’s tricky because the final product—the court’s surface and lines—is what everyone sees, so there’s a lot of pressure to deliver quality despite any setbacks.

What’s your favorite product in the Laykold range?

I’d have to say the Gel court system is my favorite. We installed one for a private homeowner in Syracuse, and it was a stunning project—a multi-use court with a full basketball court, removable tennis posts, and pickleball, plus beautiful stonework and fencing around it and great lighting. The Gel system provides a 17% force reduction, which is great for athletes, and three years later, that court is still performing beautifully. The homeowner loves it. The combination of performance and longevity makes it a standout product in the Laykold line-up.

What has been your favorite project so far?

One project that really stands out is a Make-A-Wish project we did for a young boy in north country New York. It was a small-scale project, just a single basketball court, but the impact was huge. We donated both the materials and labor to create a Chicago Bulls-themed court, and seeing his excitement was incredibly rewarding. We do a lot of large projects for schools, universities, and municipalities, but these kinds of donation-based initiatives are special on a personal level. Knowing we were able to make a difference in someone’s life—that's one of the most fulfilling parts of this job.

When you’re not working, what do you enjoy doing?

My family and I are big sports fan, so you’ll often find us at sporting events. We love seeing games live and experiencing the atmosphere of different stadiums. Being around sports my whole life, I also have an appreciation for the turf and surfaces these athletes are playing on. Aside from that, I like to golf when I have the time—it’s a great way to relax.