Dorie McInturf's 12 Years Encapsulated in 4 Questions
Amy Juarez • April 1, 2022
Dorie, one of our longest standing Client Relationship Managers, took a moment to reflect on her experience working with 3 Oaks Group for the past 12 years. While answering these questions, she discusses the importance of having a dedicated team, her joy learning about the programs of her various clients, and the ability to furnish any space from a corporate cafeteria to school offices. Read on to learn more about Dorie and her experience working with 3 Oaks Group for over a decade!
- When did you first start with 3 Oaks Group and what convinced you to join the team? I began working for 3 Oaks Group 12 years ago. Before 3 Oaks Group, I founded and opened a charter school in Colorado and met another associate, Laurie, at the National Charter Conference. She referred me to Mike Olkes because I wasn’t sure how to proceed in outfitting a K-8 school. Mike explained that 3 Oaks offered a truly one-stop shop approach that would guide me in the selection process, and because of this the school board selected 3 Oaks for our FF&E. I was the Director of Operations at the time and 3 Oaks made the process stress-free and easy. The amount of time the 3 Oaks process saved me was tremendous! We were given many options to choose from to ensure we were providing the best environments for our students and staff. I was so impressed with the work 3 Oaks Group did, that I couldn't help but get involved myself! I had always enjoyed project management and joining 3 Oaks was a terrific opportunity to expand that expertise.
- What is the most important lesson that you have learned from this industry? How passionate people in this industry are about our students, and how creative we are when it comes to their learning experiences. Listening to founders talk about their new school always gives me goosebumps!
- What do you most want potential clients to know about our single point of contact approach to sales?
This is a HUGE time and cost saving value that we offer as an included service. Founders wear many many hats and even if you have some experience with furniture, to try to search all the options yourself is virtually impossible. We do all of that for you, while keeping in mind the budget and the timeframe our clients need it by. Keeping everything to one vendor also makes the accounting and warranty a breeze!
- And finally, why is 3 Oaks Group the best choice for those looking for educational, office or healthcare furniture and equipment? What makes us different? Besides the one stop shop approach and the single point of contact, I think it’s the variety of manufacturers’ products we provide. Most furniture companies only carry select lines so they can maximize their profit; this also limits the client’s choices. We are salary-based, so we are focused on providing you with the products you need and want at the best price possible. With the additional services of freight consolidation and installation, partnering with 3 Oaks is the best opportunity to maximize your budget and time!
Once a quiet sanctuary for reading and reference materials, the school library is now undergoing a major transformation. Today’s libraries are evolving into dynamic, media-rich learning hubs designed to support research, collaboration, creativity, and digital exploration.
For generations, recess and outdoor time were viewed as just a break from learning—an intermission between "real" lessons. But today’s schools are reimagining the outdoors not as an escape from learning, but as a vibrant extension of the classroom .
STEM, STEAM, and Maker Labs are more than just classrooms—they’re innovation playgrounds. From robotics to 3D printing to hands-on experiments, these spaces support the type of learning that prepares students for the future. But designing them requires careful planning to ensure they remain flexible, safe, and inspiring.