Anaheim, Calif.—Harold Chapman, president of Bonitz Flooring Group in Greenville, S.C., became chairman of the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) effective July 1. Chapman replaced Jim Walters of Macco’s Floor Covering Center in Green Bay, Wis., who became immediate past chairman.
In taking over the post, Chapman told FCNews his immediate goal “is to find a replacement for Chris Davis,” who died suddenly earlier this year (FCNews, March 5/12). “You can’t replace a Chris Davis, but we will find someone to fill the position. I am confident the search committee will find the right person to lead the organization.” While no timetable has been set, “We want to have someone on board as soon as possible.”
Another short-term goal for Chapman is to maintain WFCA’s involvement in helping develop industry standards, such as for carpet installation which is being worked on by a cross representation of industry interests. “We will continue to contribute and sponsor as needed to make sure this is available to the industry as soon as possible. Tom Jennings, representing the WFCA, has done an outstanding job leading the way. Hopefully, the standards will be ready for public use the spring of 2013.”
Over the long term, he wants to see the association, which is already an industry leader in many areas, “take an even larger role in leading our industry. WFCA is in a unique position as an unbiased entity to educate the consumer, support the retailer and commercial contractor, to take a lead in legislative issues and to offer educational opportunities. All of these responsibilities will be my focus during the next year. I would also like for us to explore more partnering opportunities with other great organizations… Education has always been a focus of WFCA, but I would like to see us take an even larger role in training and education, especially on the installer side of our industry. Installation excellence and project management excellence is the key to our industry’s future success.”
He pointed to the recent partnership between WFCA and three other industry associations in working with the University of Pennsylvania and its famous Wharton School (see related story on page 1) as a prime example of how the organization can work with others to achieve something “very valuable” for the industry.
In addition to Chapman, WFCA’s executive committee for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, consists of Janice Clifton of Abbey Carpets in Napa, Calif., as chairman-elect; Paul Johnson, president of Interiors Carpet One in Tulsa, Okla, as secretary; Scott Walker of Walkers Carpet One in Bellingham, Wash., as CFO; Mark Weaver of Carpet Weavers in Bloomington, Ill., as vice chairman, and Tom Jennings as past chairman.
For more information on the WFCA, call 800.624.6880.