“In celebration of CFI’s twenty years of serving the industry as the most well-known installation training group in the world, we enthusiastically announce the launch of The CFI Educational Endowment Fund. PERSONNA has taken the lead as the first sponsor of this endeavor to increase installation training programs and make them more affordable for the installation network,” said Robert Varden, CFI Executive Director. 

“Because of PERSONNA’s emphasis on installation training performed correctly, a contribution has been made to the CFI Educational Endowment Fund,” according to Bob Senasac, Vice-President of Marketing, “We see the need for installation training and we have watched the growth of CFI and the positive effect it has on the industry. We are proud to become the first sponsor because CFI is in a position to reach the largest number of flooring installers that will increase awareness of the impact of quality installation.  A well-trained, customer-service oriented flooring installer brings value to our products.  We are convinced that CFI is committed to this goal.” PERSONNA wants to play a major role in the continuation of these programs by offsetting the cost to the installer.”

 “The CFI Educational Endowment Fund has been established to ensure that additional training programs can be scheduled in CFI’s goal to reach installers in this country who take pride in their work.  Training is expensive when one recognizes the cost of travel expenses, paying the instructors and all the fees associated with taking our program on the road.  It is costly and with the establishment of this fund, we can insure that the program continues for the next twenty years,” said Robert Varden, Executive Director. “The WORLD FLOOR COVERING ASSOCIATION has supported this endeavor since 1997 with almost two million dollars directed toward programs that enhance the value of flooring installation.  Manufacturers have shipped an abundance of flooring materials and supplies without which CFI could not maintain the level of training that is available today.”

Commitmentfrom industry members, will defray the fees that are charged for the programs that include carpet, ceramic, resilient, laminate and wood installation training.  This will assist CFI in adding more programs at a lower cost to reach more installers as we take hands-on training to their locations,” added Varden.

“PERSONNA is delighted to kick off the program and we challenge all manufacturers, large and small, to become a part of this great undertaking.  There can never be enough training for installers and we do understand that cost can be a challenge for many and that is why we have become actively involved.  CFI is a recognized brand and one that is always associated with improving the world of the dedicated flooring installers.  This was not a difficult decision when we decided where to put our educational dollars, said Lane West, National Sales Manager for PERSONNA.

 This not only improves the scope of flooring installation, but provides the dealers with installers who care as much about their customers as they do; provides the manufacturers with installers who work with them to create a great installation and also provides the distributors with installers who purchase the correct products to do the job correctly,” said Jim Walker, CEO.

“It is CFI’s goal to have the campaign in full swing by the 20^th anniversary celebration in August.  As we begin our second 20 years, the CFI focus remains the same; education and training to enhance the value of flooring installation.  Anyone who is interested in more information about this project can call Robert directly at (415) 328.2134 and he will be most happy to discuss how you can make a difference to ensure that every flooring installer has the opportunity to increase their skills and knowledge.”