In Memoriam: Lillian Rosenstock Rothberg, Co-Founder of Laticrete

BETHANY, CONN.—Lillian Rosenstock Rothberg, co-founder of Laticrete, passed away on Nov. 27 at 91.

Mrs. Rothberg, who co-founded Laticrete in 1956 with her late husband, Dr. Henry M. Rothberg, oversaw office and administrative functions in support of her husband’s efforts to champion superior tile and stone adhesives. Together, she and her husband established the soul of Laticrete, shaping it into the family-run and family-oriented business it is today.

“Our devoted mother was a true inspiration to all members of the immediate Rothberg and extended Laticrete family,” said David Rothberg, chairman and CEO of the company. “She was not only our loving mom, but was instrumental in the creation of the company’s philosophy and values.”

Mrs. Rothberg balanced the demands of career, family and leadership. Outside of her professional life, she was known for her superb insights into human nature, passionate concern for sociopolitical justice and love of literature.

She is survived by her seven children, Irene Rothberg, Henry Rothberg, David Rothberg, Deborah Rothberg, Celia Meadow, Jonathan Rothberg, Michael Rothberg, 19 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. An online memorial in remembrance of Lillian Rosenstock Rothberg has been established at shurefuneralhome.com/service/lillian-rosenstock-rothberg.

For more, call (800) 243-4788 or visit laticrete.com.

Armstrong Adds BBT to Recycling Program

LANCASTER, PA.—Armstrong Flooring’s On&On Floor Recycling Program has grown from being a recycling program for vinyl composition tile (VCT) to a comprehensive program that includes luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and now bio-based tile (BBT) that can be recycled back into new tile. As a bio-based alternative to PVC flooring, BBT bio-flooring’s main ingredient is 85% North American limestone locally quarried, further reducing the product’s carbon footprint.

Since its inception in 2009, the On&On program has already diverted 28 million pounds of post-consumer flooring representing 14,000 tons of landfill material, according to the company.

For more, call (717) 672-9611 or visit armstrong.com.

Daltile Announces Interior Design Scholarship Award Winner

DALLAS—Kristina Tribell is the winner of the fifth-annual Daltile Interior Design Scholarship.

As the winner of the scholarship, which is presented in partnership with the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Foundation, Tribell received $10,000 to continue her education in the field of interior design.

This year’s design challenge, “Design Inspired by Nature,” was to redesign a hotel lobby using key biophilic design principles, demonstrating how thoughtful design, creativity and Daltile products can come together to create a beautiful, welcoming and impactful space.

“The ASID Foundation is excited to partner with Dal-Tile to honor students, like Kristina Tribell, with scholarships to help them pursue their goals in the field of interior design,” said Susan Wiggins, senior strategic advisor, ASID Foundation. “The ASID Foundation believes in the future of the interior design industry and supports scholarships and educational opportunities that will prepare and propel the next generation of interior designers to reach their full potential. The Daltile Interior Design Scholarship enables us to encourage young designers to further hone their design skills and aesthetic.

For more, call (214) 398-1411 or visit daltile.com.

Dobbins Joins FCIF as Executive Director

DALTON—Andrea Dobbins is the new executive director of the Floor Covering Industry Foundation (FCIF).

FCIF is dedicated to financially assisting those who are or have been affiliated with the floor covering industry who experience illnesses, severe disabilities, or other life-altering hardships.

“At the Floor Covering Industry Foundation, Dobbins will be responsible for the forward direction, vision and growth of the Foundation,” said Scott Humphrey, CEO of the World Floor Covering Association, FCIF’s parent organization. “She will work closely with board members and constituents to ensure that FCIF continues to evolve with the market and that all opportunities for growth and expansion are secured.”

Dobbins comes to FCIF from United Way where she rose through the ranks over an 11-year career to director of donor engagement and strategy.

For more, call (855) 330-1183 or visit fcif.org.

Mohawk’s Surratt Named Digital Communications Leader of the Year

Mollie Surratt, senior director of public relations, social media and content marketing at Mohawk, has been awarded PR News’ PR People Award in the Digital Communications Leader of the Year category.

The PR People Award presented by PR News celebrates the professionals behind the best PR and marketing campaigns of the past year. Awards were presented Dec. 6 at the PR News Winter Awards Luncheon at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

“We congratulate Mollie Surratt on this well-earned recognition,” said Elise Demboski, vp of creative services. “Mollie has helped develop one of the most successful digital strategies in the flooring industry.”

According to the company, Surratt is a pioneer in the practice of strategic public relations in the flooring industry. Under her public relations leadership, Mohawk has enjoyed an abundant increase in media coverage. In addition to the PR People Award, she has been recognized by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) for her leadership on several communications and public relations projects. Surratt joined Mohawk Industries in 2013. For more information, visit mohawkflooring.com.

Patcraft Names Shannon Cochran VP of Creative Design

Patcraft, a brand of Shaw Industries, announced the promotion of Shannon Cochran to vice president of creative and product development.

Cochran brings with her more than two decades of flooring industry expertise and a reputation for pioneering product design and innovation leadership. Most recently, Cochran led product design and innovation as the design director for Shaw Contract’s Corporate Design Studio, overseeing some of the studio’s most celebrated styles, including broadloom, tile and hard surface collections. Cochran replaces Pam Rainey, who was recently promoted to vice president of residential hard surface product design for Shaw Industries.

As design director with Shaw Contract’s Corporate Design Studio, including the brand’s workplace and education segments, Cochran led product design and innovation. She worked closely with marketing and manufacturing teams to launch a variety of products, including a range of award-winning collections. As a key team member, Cochran’s leadership and collaboration helped Shaw Contract earn 18 Best of NeoCon awards. For more information, visit patcraft.com.

WFCA Now Offering Tiered Membership Program

For the first time since the World Floor Covering Association was established in 1959, the organization is offering a tiered membership program with three levels of membership: Sustaining, Leader and Advocate, according to Scott Humphrey, CEO of WFCA.

Sustaining members have access to all entry-level options, including signage on WFCA Dealer Locator, WFCA Trade Scholarship reimbursement, the Association’s Financial Benchmarking Report, WFCA University, public affairs, Savings4Members business services, complimentary access to legal and business primers, a 20% discount on fcB2B programs and additional scholarship reimbursements.

At the Leader level, members get all of the Sustaining level benefits, as well as unrestricted trade scholarship reimbursements up to $500 and a 25% discount on fcB2B services.

Retailers at the Advocate level, the fourth and highest tier of membership, receive all of the preceding benefits as well as a 30% fcB2B discount, CFI Associate Membership, a 20% discount on all WFCA/CFI training programs, CFI technical services support, access to the CFI installer database and a company listing on cfiinstallers.org. The scope and benefits of WFCA Associate Membership program will not change under the new membership initiative. For more information, visit wfca.org.

Cadex to be an Integrated Part of DACF 2017

SHANGHAI—Cadex, the international event for connecting, learning and doing business in the design and architecture industry, will be an integrated part of Domotex asia/Chinafloor (DACF), taking place March 21 through 23.

Located inside W5 and N2 Halls, cadex will offer architecture and design-related stimulating content and will generate two and half days of conferences, networking events, interactive activities, creative display and much more. In addition to offering attendees a closer look at innovative building materials and samples, cadex will cooperate with Chinese Tongji University’s College of Design & Innovation to establish Flooring LAB, a platform to analyze the upcoming flooring trends and discover new creative ways of using flooring materials.

For more, visit domotexasiachinafloor.com.

Fishman Flooring’s Mabeus Named Executive VP

BALTIMORE—Fishman Flooring’s Bill Mabeus has been promoted to the newly-created position of executive vice president.

Mabeus, who first joined Fishman in 1982, was previously vice president of sales for the company and he is currently a member of the company’s board.

In his new position, Mabeus will be responsible for managing Fishman’s six operating regions and will be more active in strategic planning and employee development and training. He will also continue overseeing the company’s sales force, selecting new vendor partners and integrating products into the company’s existing product line.

For more, call (410) 633-2500 or visit lfishman.com.

Ramanujam Named President and CEO of USGBC

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Mahesh Ramanujam has completed the transition into his new role as president and CEO of the organization. Former COO of USGBC, Ramanujam takes the reins from Rick Fedrizzi, USGBC’s founding chair, who had previously announced plans to leave the organization toward the end of 2016.

“It is an incredible honor for me to lead and serve this impressive and dynamic organization,” said Ramanujam. “I am grateful for the opportunity to continually develop and enhance USGBC’s capabilities and performance to ensure we deliver the future that our founders envisioned—transforming the way our buildings and communities are designed, built and operated so they enable a healthy and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life for people everywhere.”

Ramanujam will also serve as president and CEO of USGBC’s sister organization, Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI).

For more, call (202) 742-3792 or visit usgbc.org.

CFA Names Schmidt 2016 Person of the Year

DOWNERS GROVE, ILL.—Frederick Schmidt is the Chicago Floor Covering Association’s (CFA) 2016 Person of the Year.

Schmidt’s career in retail management began when he joined the Retail Management Training program at Lazarus Department Store in Columbus, Ohio.

He moved to Chicago in 1999 to accept the position of president and CEO of Century Tile, where he established an extensive leadership career in senior retail management, store operations, marketing and merchandising. Schmidt also joined the CFA board that same year, and since then, he has been very active; having served on and chaired the nominating, by-law, caring for all, membership and finance committees. Schmidt was elected president in 2005.

Schmidt also served on the board of the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) from 2003 to 2010 in various roles including vice president.

In 2013, Schmidt and two partners founded EMP3, which provides consulting services to the floor covering industry. He serves as managing partner.

For more, call (630) 442-7094 or visit chicagofloorcoveringassociation.

Shaw Acquires USFloors; Completes Adairsville Carpet Tile Facility

DALTON—Shaw’s recent acquisition of USFloors will further expand its strong position in the resilient luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and hard surface markets, according to the company.

As an innovator and marketer of composite core flooring, as well as cork, bamboo and hardwood products, USFloors will bring an even more diverse portfolio of products to Shaw’s expansive offerings.

“This is a marked time of growth and progress as we further expand our resilient and hard surface markets with the purchase of USFloors,” said Vance Bell, Shaw’s chairman and CEO. “Piet Dossche and the USFloors team will provide valuable expertise and market insights as we combine these two forward-thinking companies.”

This news follows the completion of Shaw’s new carpet tile manufacturing facility in Adairsville, Ga.

Known as Shaw Plant T1, the $85 million facility, which became operational in the fourth quarter of 2016, employs 170 associates and will create a total of 500 new jobs once it reaches full capacity, according to the company.

“The addition of this state-of-the-art carpet tile manufacturing facility allows us to continue to innovate across our broad portfolio of products,” said Vance Bell. “We invest hundreds of millions of dollars annually in new and expanded facilities, enhanced equipment, technology and processes, and improved distribution systems to create beautiful, durable, sustainable flooring to meet our customers’ diverse needs. This is a prominent example of that commitment.”

For more, call or visit (800) 441-7429 shawinc.com.

Floor & Décor Superstore to Anchor N.J. Shopping Center

WOODBRIDGE, N.J.—A Floor & Décor superstore will anchor Richmond Plaza, a newly proposed shopping center in Woodbridge, N.J.

Floor & Decor’s third New Jersey store will occupy a 74,200-square-foot freestanding building at the site.

“With Floor & Décor’s proven draw, we anticipate that Richmond Plaza’s reach will also extend to the many residents of nearby Staten Island who regularly shop at Woodbridge Center and neighboring properties,” said Bill Lenaz, principal/executive vice president.

For more, visit (770) 421-3705 flooranddecor.com.

Mullican Named Exclusive Hardwood Provider for New HGTV Series

JOHNSON CITY, TENN.—Mullican is the exclusive hardwood flooring provider for HGTV’s “Brothers Take New Orleans.”

“Brothers Take New Orleans” is a new four-episode series featuring twin brothers, business partners and co-stars Drew and Jonathan Scott.

“Mullican Flooring is delighted to extend our partnership with HGTV to this new series,” said Neil Poland, president of the company. “We are honored to participate in the ongoing, positive transformation of the New Orleans community. Mullican has a history of assisting communities with their relief and rebuild efforts following a catastrophe, and we’re pleased to play a role in the continued rebuilding of this extraordinary city.”

For more, call (423) 283-4695 or visit mullicanflooring.com.

Danzer Increases Capacity with New Drying Kilns

DARLINGTON, PA.—Danzer has further increased its capacity for sliced flooring deck layers with the addition of four new drying kilns that have been put into operation.

With this addition, Danzer is now able to produce sliced flooring deck layers from all major North American species close to the resource. “Since Danzer has introduced sliced 3.0 to 4.0 mm thick deck layers for engineered hardwood flooring in 2012, the focus was on rustic European Oak,” said Greg Lottes, CEO of Danzer Veneer Americas. “High-value North American species like American Walnut benefit even more from the better resource efficiency of our slicing process.”

According to Lottes, the kilns will reach their full capacity of 50,000 to 60,000 m² deck layers per month in the beginning of 2017.

For more, call (724) 827-8366 or visit danzer.com.

MIA+BSI Collaborates with Gary Sinise’s R.I.S.E Program

OBERLIN, OHIO—Marble Institute of America (MIA)+Building Stone Institute (BSI) has collaborated with the Gary Sinise Foundation’s Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment (R.I.S.E.) program to provide support to specially-adapted smart home building projects for severely wounded heroes and their families.

As part of this program, MIA+BSI members will provide natural stone materials, fabrication and installation for these homes across the U.S.

“The R.I.S.E. program is a very worthy cause for our association to become involved with,” said Jim Hieb, CEO of MIA+BSI. “We are privileged to be in a position to provide resources that will add beauty and function to the homes of these heroes. The cause is noble and worthy of our industry’s support.”

Plans are under way for MIA+BSI members to provide natural stone for both interior and exterior uses in these custom-built homes.

For more, call (440) 250-9222 or visit naturalstoneinstitute.org/RISE.