SPOTLIGHT: Knot Just Decks

Knot Just Decks began in 1987 in Ken and Ann Woodfill's home on the south side of Fort Wayne. Ken and Ann had recently sold another business, called Ajax Yardworks, that manufactured mailbox posts, wooden deck squares and flagpoles. Ken decided to start a deck-building business that continued to sell and install flagpoles. Ken was a Marine, making the U.S. flag near and dear to his heart.

Ken and Ann were no strangers to hard work and were experts at running a business out of their home while raising five children. As the business grew and their children got older, the children started working with their parents. There was always a strong work ethic in the Woodfill household, as well as a strong Christian upbringing. Ken and Ann believed that God and family come first, period. They transferred that way of life into their business and ran their business by "The Book" (the Bible).

As time went on and the business grew, Ken and Ann relocated to their current location at 3753 Lima Road. A few of their children continued to work at the business well after high school. Unfortunately, Ken's health started to decline in 2007. Ken and Ann decided to consider selling the business. In 2008, their second youngest child, Mike, decided to purchase the business to continue the legacy that his parents started. Sadly, in 2009, Ken passed away from a rare blood disease. Mike continues to run the business with his wife, Becca, the way that his parents started it, which is by "The Book" and the Golden Rule: "Treat others as you would have them treat you."

Knot Just Decks has become Fort Wayne's leader in exterior contracting, providing services for decks, pergolas, outdoor kitchens, seamless aluminum gutters, gutter guards, flagpoles and concrete coatings. On average, they install 130+ flagpoles, service/repair 70+ flagpoles, and sell nearly 550 flags per year.

This year, Knot Just Decks had the opportunity to work on the $5.3 million renovation of the Fort Wayne Veterans Memorial Bridge (previously named the Governor Samuel Bigger Memorial Bridge) along Lafayette Street near The Old Fort. Their part of the project was installing a Concord 50' internal halyard flagpole x 12" butt diameter, Xtreme Series, in 3 sections on a shoe base, flying a 10'x15' US flag. Artist Cary Shafer designed the platform & gold ball designs around the flagpole which are made of (6) 6" & (7) 12" gold anodized ball toppers also from Concord. The Beacon sculpture was designed to represent the six main branches of the military. 

Mayor Tom Henry stated, “the renovation of this signature gateway bridge provides motorists and pedestrians, now, with safe and innovative ways to navigate our city. Years from now, I hope we all take time to look at this bridge from time to time and remember why we’re here: to honor our veterans in our community and celebrate this bridge with a new name. To show our respect to those individuals who have served and who are serving now.”

Knot Just Deck's Director of Operations, Julia Newman had the pleasure of attending her first NIFDA Conference this year in Scottsdale, Arizona. The information and advice from NIFDA members and manufacturers will be valuable in increasing the company flag and flagpole revenue in 2024.