FLOORtalk

America's Floor Source Founder Jason Goldberg and Michel Vermette, who was recently named CEO, share their plans to grow the diverse flooring business to $500 million in sales.

Vegas Blanchard, electro-mechanic, Ecore, served eight years in the Army, traveled the world and learned a number of trades that led him to his current role. He explains how the G.I. Bill works and how he utilized that resource following his service. He shares advice for others who have served and are now looking for a career. 

RFCI’s meaningful 2023 initiatives positively support architects, interior designers, and flooring manufacturers. Accredited continuing education programs, ecolabels for sustainable flooring products, and participation in the ecomedes material database are all available for use! Sponsored by: RFCI

John T. McGrath officially retired from his position as executive director, INSTALL, at the end of 2022 as David Gross took over at the helm. In this episode, McGrath talks about his career in the flooring industry and his plans for retirement, including spending time with his first grandson. Gross walks us through his extensive experience in the trades, specifically flooring and his plans for the future of INSTALL. Listen in as both McGrath and Gross take turns talking about the state of flooring installation education. 

Debra Lechner, chief marketing officer, Ecore, shares her brief and humorous pageantry career, her college journey and her entry point into the flooring world. She has served in a number of roles within the flooring industry, forcing her to adapt quickly to keep her career moving forward. Listen as she also offers advice to other women who are looking to advance in their careers. 

Dean Craft, principal, ISE Logik, returns in this follow-up episode to provide some much-needed information for flooring installers and contractors, concerning the new pH testing guide released by the ASTM as well as the addition of porosity testing and dew point to ASTM standard F710. Listen as Craft details these changes, reveals what is on the horizon for ASTM and when the guide will be available.

In October, the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) became part of the Department of Defense’s Military Housing Readiness Council which is responsible for making recommendations regarding policies surrounding privatized military housing among other things. Robbie Bradshaw, advocacy lead, IICRC, talks more in-depth about the state of current military housing and what exactly this committee and newly formed legislation mean for the future of our Armed Service members.

Jen Zurn, education project manager, Floor Covering Education Foundation (FCEF), is a mother and wife first, an installer second and an education advocate as of recently. She intended on joining the military after high school, but life took her in a different direction. Listen in as she talks about her unique flooring journey, her plans for the future of flooring in her new role and the importance of finding “your tribe.”

Chris Ramey, CEO of Precise Luxury Marketing and Precise Retail Marketing, discusses what's working in digital marketing for the retail sector.

Brandon Cerrito, founder, The Carpet Chemist, and Eric Anderson, president, The Carpet Chemist, talk through the list of services, how they are partnering with retailers and how to become a franchisee.