Kansas City, Mo. — “Robert E. Varden has been selected as the executive director of CFI, the world’s leading flooring installation organization,” said Alan Ellis, CFI president. “With over 30 years in the installation, education and research side of the flooring business, Varden brings unlimited resources to the position. He has been responsible for the inclusion of CFI in numerous specifications, including those of carpet mills. Varden will be expanding the awareness of the benefits of CFI and leadership development opportunities to offer our members advancement in their careers.”
Upon accepting the position, Varden noted, “Our main objectives are to continue the growth of our membership, promote the value of training, certification and professional flooring installation and provide our members with increased opportunities in the field. We want to ensure that CFI is well supported as we move into the future. I am looking forward to building on the great foundation that has been developed over the past twenty years.”
“In presenting the CFI training programs and addressing various entities, Varden presents all associate manufacturer products in the best interests of the installation and sales communities, providing training in an unbiased manner,” said Jim Walker, CEO. “He brings a proven track record of membership growth and a history of establishing and maintaining strategic relationships with affiliated groups. CFI has made a selection that takes our organization of over 40,000 trained individuals into a great future. As CFI moves forward with our goals, Varden will provide outstanding leadership qualities for the membership.”
Varden, a resident of Rockwall, Texas, is the immediate past president of CFI having served two terms, a CFI Master-II Installer #969, past chairman of the Certification Committee and a member of the CFI Certification Team. He is also recipient of the Charles Gress Award for outstanding service in the field of flooring installation. Varden also fulfills the role of independent consultant, inspector, speaker, expert witness, columnist, technical advisor and owner of an installation workroom. He is regarded as an expert in carpet backings and installation procedures.
He is a member of the World Floor Covering Association and chairman of the Pattern Carpet and Backings Chapter for the American National Standards Institute’s (ANSI) S-600 Standard, which is creating new nationally recognized standards for the carpet industry. He serves as one of 20 members finalizing the standard that is expected to be in place in 2013
Varden won the Best of the Best Flooring Installer Award at Surfaces for an outstanding display of his carpet installation talent. He works directly with carpet and backing manufacturers and is involved in DVD media presentations and association installation programs.
Currently working with Bob Hutter, vice president of CCA Global Partners, Varden is responsible for the creation and presentation of flooring installation programs to all member companies of the group. He has developed media presentations and curriculum, and represented CCA Global Partners at various company conventions and meetings. Presently, he is directing the involvement of all members in the CFI Carpet Certification Program.