They are founders, entrepreneurs and innovators, presidents and CEOs. This veritable “Who’s Who” of flooring leaders represent all facets of the flooring industry—manufacturing, distribution, retail and beyond—and provide unique skill sets to make a lasting impact.
Jonathan Cohen, president/CEO, Stanton
Since taking the reins in March 2014 as president and CEO, Jonathan Cohen has proven to be a leader with a clear vision of how to move the company forward through innovation, communication and technology. Growing up in the carpet business has empowered Cohen with knowledge, business acumen, a strong sales and marketing vision and a tenacious desire for continued success—learning from the ground up.
Paul De Cock, president/COO, Mohawk
In June, it was announced that Paul De Cock, president and COO, had been appointed CEO and a director of the Mohawk board of directors, effective Sept. 30, succeeding Jeff Lorberbaum. Since joining the company through the acquisition of Unilin in 2005, De Cock has held increasingly senior leadership roles across geographies and product categories, including laminate, wood, LVT and carpet. During his tenure, De Cock has played an instrumental role in strengthening Mohawk’s international operations and advancing the company’s product portfolio.
Seth Arnold, vice president, COREtec
Seth Arnold combines consumer-driven thinking, a deep passion for—and knowledge of—the independent retailer. He brings that outside-in perspective into everything from product conversations to go-to-market strategy, connecting what consumers are looking for directly to how brands and retail partners can show up for them. Arnold has a gift for crafting a vision that’s ambitious enough to inspire and clear enough that people can see themselves in it and see the path to get there.
David Chambers, director of flooring Nebraska Furniture Mart
David Chambers is one of the most visible presences in the industry. In addition to this role with NFM, Chambers is the chairman of the Floor Covering Education Foundation (FCEF), a role suited for the retail executive who brings extensive industry experience and a long-standing commitment to workforce development. As FCEF moves forward, his appointment aligns with the expansion of its Basic Floor Covering Installation programs.
Thomas Baert, CEO, CFL Flooring
A true visionary with an appetite for constant improvement. That’s how colleagues of Thomas Baert, president and CEO of CFL Flooring, describe his approach to the flooring business. Under his leadership he has built CFL into one of the largest flooring exporters in China. In addition, Baert foresaw the opportunity for a flooring industry show in China, which today is Domotex asia/Chinafloor.
Mickey Goldberg, CEO, RiteRug
Mickey Goldberg, the third-generation son of the late founder Michael Goldberg, joined RiteRug in 1989. Today, he runs one of the largest flooring retailers in the industry. Goldberg’s success should come as no surprise as he has been groomed for the big time since college, during which he began his RiteRug career, logging weekends and most nights. The experience helped him grow both professionally and personally as he developed social skills and confidence. He has since climbed the ladder, learning at every rung.
Tim Baucom, president, Shaw Industries
Tim Baucom joined Shaw Industries in 1992, building a track record of innovation and leadership in sales, marketing and strategic planning across multiple departments and divisions. As president, he leads the company’s residential, commercial, specialty and turf businesses. Baucom previously served as executive vice president of Shaw’s residential business, leading it to improved levels of performance through product innovation, sales, brand focus and improved customer support.
Brent Emore, CEO, AHF Products
Brent Emore leads with a clear vision for innovation, customer success and operational agility. As CEO, he combines strategic insight with deep industry and financial experience to drive sustainable growth. Formerly with Mohawk Industries as CFO and GM, he’s known for aligning financial discipline with strategic growth. Emore is focused on product innovation, U.S. manufacturing and long-term market leadership in hard surface flooring.
Kemp Harr, publisher/owner, Floor Focus
Few people attend more industry events than Kemp Harr as he seeks to inform whether through his publication or his digital vehicle, floordaily.net. Prior to publishing, Kemp spent over 20 years in marketing— initially with two consumer products before moving over to B2B as vice president of marketing for SI Corp., an industrial textile company whose largest product line was carpet backing. After Shaw Industries bought SI, Kemp decided to leave the corporate world and pursue his entrepreneurial itch.
Mark Bischoff, president/CEO,
Starnet Commercial Flooring
Mark Bischoff has been spearheading growth initiatives for the leading commercial contract cooperative for eight and a half years. Starnet members now generate more than $4 billion in product and installation sales. With a career in building products and construction spanning more than 30 years, Bischoff understands the needs of all members across the supply channel.
Dan Koh, CEO, Nox
Dan Koh is a leader who is both a subject matter expert as well as someone who intentionally takes the time to get to know people. As CEO of Nox Corp., Koh has deep knowledge of every facet of the industry—from innovation to marketing to supply chain—and is not afraid to chase greatness. Beyond his expertise, Koh’s ability to connect with people truly stands out, say people who work with him.
Scott Humphrey, CEO, World Floor Covering Association
Under Scott Humphrey’s leadership, the WFCA has grown to become the largest non-profit in the flooring industry and acquired multiple other non-profit entities. Its current membership of over 10,000 represents over 90% of all independent flooring retailers in North America. Humphrey’s popular weekly podcast, “Leadership Live,” is viewed by thousands throughout North America. In 2019, he contributed to the book “The WOW Factor” and recently finished writing “Leadership by the Letter,” a year-long journey through the leadership alphabet.
John DeYoung, CEO, All Surfaces
John DeYoung has overseen a series of acquisitions, most notably All Tile and Abraham Linc, which has created the third largest flooring distributor in the country. Rebranded as All Surfaces three years ago, the company, which believes in maintaining each distributor’s identity, has garnered a reputation for exceptional service, trusted relationships and a commitment to excellence.
James Lesslie, COO, Engineered Floors
James Lesslie recognizes the importance of people and culture at Engineered Floors. He attributes the company’s success not only to the quality of its products, service and innovation but also to those that make it happen every day, whether it is the truck driver or the person who answers the phone. To Lesslie, it’s all about the team.
Benjamin Liebert, president, residential, Shaw Industries
In 2023, Shaw tapped Benjamin Liebert, an appliance executive, to lead its residential division. The move represented a departure from the company’s traditional practice of hiring and promoting from within. Today, Liebert is the president of residential business at Shaw, where he leads the residential division to deliver innovative flooring solutions and foster a customer-centric approach. With over 20 years of experience in sales, marketing and product development, Liebert is poised to drive the company’s growth and transformation.
Laurel Hurd, president/CEO, Interface
A results-driven leader, Laurel Hurd brings more than 30 years of sales management, product development and brand stewardship experience to Interface. She has a proven track record of driving profitable growth through innovation and global expansion and is regarded by her teams and colleagues as a passionate and inspirational leader. Prior to joining Interface in 2022, Hurd spent most of her career at Newell Brands in various sales, marketing, research and development, and leadership positions.
Ray Mancini, CEO, UCX
Ray Mancini is a third-generation family member who helped unify The Belknap White Group, JJ Haines and Swiff-Train under the UCX brand. Mancini is a leader who is passionate about innovation and excellence in customer experiences, a chip off the old block, if you will. His grandfather, Antonio Mancini, started the business in 1959; father, Ray Sr. expanded the business into flooring distribution. Mancini Jr. previously served as president of UCX’s Northeast region, formerly The Belknap White Group, from 2002 to 2016 and is now the CEO.
Doug Jackson, CEO, CALI
Doug Jackson’s career in flooring spans decades, and he’s competed and excelled at every level. He has run diverse teams of varying sizes, and through it all stayed focused on the fundamentals: quality products, strong partnerships and authenticity.
As CEO of Cali, Jackson is regarded as a people-first leader who recognizes that the brand’s strength comes from the talent, dedication and collaboration of the people behind the product. He doesn’t just manage from the top—he connects with each segment of the business.
Graham Howerton, president, FEI Group
Graham Howerton is responsible for all divisions at FEI Group, including management of sales strategies, long-term strategic plans, membership programs and financial statements. In addition, this 20-year FEI veteran is responsible for the development and execution of all FEI Group key events and programs. Prior to FEI Group, he spent nine years in the building products industry with Armstrong Flooring and Andersen Windows.
Jason Goldberg, founder, chairman, COO AFS Group
In 2000, Jason Goldberg opened the first America’s Floor Source showroom behind a small church in Columbus, Ohio, with a team of six employees and a small base of homebuilder customers. From humble beginnings grew a giant flooring retail enterprise. Under Goldberg’s leadership, the company has expanded across multiple states (including Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana), employing over 500 people and becoming one of the top independent flooring retailers in the country. Goldberg has guided AFS Group through a rapid growth and acquisition phase, absorbing several companies along the way.
Harlan Stone, executive chairman, HMTX Industries
Harlan Stone has a special combination of hindsight accumulated over four generations of a family-run business, and foresight that has earned him a reputation as a transformational industry leader. When Stone joined the company, sales were $1 million a month. Today, this portfolio of companies brings in $2 million in sales every day. Despite the challenges of running one of the largest LVT enterprises in the world, Stone is steadfast in his advocacy of social justice, sustainability and transparency.
Pawel Rajszel, founder/CEO, Roomvo by Leap Tools
Pawel Rajszel parlayed his interest in technology and finance into an ownership and entrepreneurial stake with Leap Tools, a company focused on AR visualization. Rajszel’s expertise in AI, as an early adopter, separates him from the competition. His knowledge and experience as a Google executive helped him build the bridge that connects the online and in-store journey known as digital retailing.
Jeff Meadows, president, chief commercial officer, residential sales, Mohawk
Jeff Meadows is the epitome of a people person. One of the most visible executives in the industry, Meadows’ unique ability to genuinely interact with others sets him apart from most leaders. His gut instinct and intuition are invaluable when hiring employees and working with current and new partners. Furthermore, his overall trust in people gives him the capability to move the needle in the flooring industry. At Mohawk, he has created a team and a culture around him that continuously raises the bar on customer service within the industry.
David Meberg, president/CEO, Consolidated Flooring
David Meberg, who joined Consolidated in 1985, is recognized throughout the construction industry as an expert on the issues of floor covering installation. He has authored several articles on the benefits of employing and training skilled labor and has been awarded the Francis J.P. McHale Award by the Greater New York Floor Coverers Association for his ongoing service and dedication to the flooring industry.
T.M. Nuckols, president, residential division, The Dixie Group
T.M. Nuckols, who joined TDG in 2017 as executive vice president of Dixie’s residential business—and was named president of residential business later that year—leads TDG’s residential business by being an exceptional communicator, having a strong emphasis on product innovation, empowering others to do the right things and giving consumers and customers a world-class product offering. Nuckols has been an industry leader for three decades, spanning DuPont, Invista/Stainmaster and The Dixie Group.
Jimmy Tuley, president, residential business, Mannington
Since joining Mannington in 2012 as director of operations for the Salem, N.J., site, Jimmy Tuley has played an integral role in the success of the Mannington Residential business. Over the years, he has served in several leadership roles, including vice president of residential LVT and senior vice president of sales, before being named president of Mannington Residential in 2023. Throughout his career, Tuley’s leadership, drive to succeed and commitment to Mannington’s values have consistently helped move the business forward.
Keith Spano, CEO, Carpet One Floor & Home
Keith Spano has moved up through the ranks at CCA Global, playing an integral part in the co-op’s mission for more than a decade. His experience from years in the flooring industry ranges from sales and marketing to product management and supplier relations. He has spent most of his life in the flooring industry. In fact, his grandparents were the second class to join Carpet One back in 1986.
Jeff Striegel, president, Elias-Wilf
If you want a history lesson on the floor covering industry over the last 40-plus years, Jeff Striegel is your man. Striegel, who worked his way up from the warehouses of Carpet Barn to become president of top 20 distributor Elias-Wilf., is a student of the industry and its history. “You don’t build a company by building a company,” he once said. “You build a company by building a team.”
Jamann Stepp, senior vice president, hard surface, Stanton Design
The addition of Jamann Stepp to Stanton has proven to be a strategic and impactful move in the company’s expansion into the hard surface category. With decades of industry experience and a reputation for building successful product portfolios, Stepp brought a fresh, focused vision to Stanton’s evolving hard surface strategy. Since joining the team in November 2023, he has played a critical role in redefining the brand’s position in this segment, aligning product development with customer demand and market trends.
Michel Vermette, CEO, AFS Group
Michel Vermette started his career in finance and accounting, and he has since proven to be a successful leader of sales, product, operations and marketing. Nicknamed “Captain Chaos,” he is never afraid to wade into complicated waters and change things up if necessary. His fearless approach to getting things done can be met with initial resistance but after assuring his team that “sometimes the tortured path is the correct one,” he’s in the trenches with you, and success typically follows.
John Wu, CEO, Novalis
Leader. Trailblazer. Visionary. Mentor. Family man. CEO. John Wu is many things to many people, and when his name is mentioned around the offices of Novalis, any one of these titles could come up. Anything but a traditional CEO, Wu’s charismatic personality, deeply rooted values and vision set him apart in the eyes of customers, partners and employees alike. Together with his sister CC, the pair has pushed forward their father’s founding mission to create beautiful, sustainable flooring that keeps humans healthy and the Earth habitable.
Bruce Odette, president, Carpet Exchange
One of the premier flooring retailers, Bruce Odette is the founder of Carpet Exchange, Colorado’s largest locally owned specialty flooring retailer, with 17 locations across the Front Range. With four decades of experience in retail operations and industry leadership, Odette brings a practical, retailer-focused perspective on flooring trends, installation standards and the evolving home improvement market.
Raj Shah, CEO, MSI
After a successful career in investment banking, Raj Shah, alongside his brother, Rup, joined the family business in 2003. It was important for his parents, Manu and Rika, that Raj understand an employee’s perspective before leading MSI. For they believed “to be an effective leader, you must experience the manager/employee relationship.” It is an experience Raj has taken to heart as he leads MSI to over $2 billion in annual revenue and more than 2,000 employees.
Bob Shaw, CEO, Engineered Floors
Bob Shaw doesn’t do things halfway. When most executives would consider retirement after a Hall of Fame career in the flooring industry, “Mr. Shaw” decided to completely reimagine the way carpet is made. He founded Engineered Floors in 2009 and promptly shook up the industry with PureColor solution-dyed fiber. Engineered Floors didn’t stop there, expanding into hard surfaces and making a name there as well. As Mr. Shaw once said, “If you’re going into business, and business is a game, you play the game to win.” As co-founder, president and CEO of Shaw Industries, Bob Shaw built the company into what would become the world’s largest carpet manufacturer.
Kaye Whitener, executive director, FCEF
As executive director of the Floor Covering Education Foundation (FCEF), Kaye Whitener has emerged as one of the most impactful leaders addressing the flooring industry’s most urgent challenge: workforce development. Whitener’s leadership is defined by her ability to translate industry consensus into measurable outcomes. Under her direction, FCEF has strengthened and expanded industry recognized installation training programs by building scalable partnerships with colleges, workforce agencies, manufacturers, retailers and labor organizations nationwide.
Lauren Voit, president, Great Western Flooring
At Great Western Flooring Company in Naperville, Ill., Lauren Voit has made a significant impact since taking on the role of president in 2015. Under her leadership—and that of her sister, Dana Park—they have built a strong reputation for quality, design and excellent customer service.
Voit joined the World Floor Covering Association in 2018 and swiftly rose through the ranks, becoming vice chair in 2022, secretary in 2023, chair elect for both 2024 and 2025, and now chair. Her passion for the industry and the people who rely on it for their livelihood is what drives her.
Patrick Warren, vice president of dealer sales & showrooms, Daltile
Patrick Warren, who initially got into the flooring industry by accident, has stayed for 30 years and carved out an outstanding career with several organizations, leveraging a robust skill set that includes sales, sales management, marketing and business development. Employing a customer-centric approach, Warren is the face of the largest tile manufacturer in North America. He has also served a term on the WFCA board.
Jennifer Zimmerman, chief commercial officer, AHF Products
Jennifer Zimmerman has played a leading role in helping to grow AHF from a hardwood manufacturer to a complete hard surface provider. She was integral in the asset purchase and rebirth of the Armstrong Flooring brand, the Crossville purchase, in addition to those of LM Flooring, Parterre and American OEM. Her passion for the flooring industry ignited during her tenure as general counsel at AHF, where she excelled for over three years, earning her the chief commercial officer position in 2022.
Bill Wilson, COO, Abbey Carpet Co.
Bill Wilson joined Abbey in October 1999 as marketing manager and has since risen through the ranks. In his role as COO, Wilson oversees the day-to-day operations at the company’s corporate headquarters and leads the Marketing Services division. He plays a pivotal role in driving strategic initiatives and operational excellence across both of Abbey’s franchise brands — Abbey Carpet & Floor and Floors To Go.
Ken Walma, president, Mohawk Flooring North America, Mohawk
Ken Walma joined Mohawk in late 2024 as someone who was new to flooring but had extensive experience with customer-facing businesses. He is an accomplished leader who has successfully led multiple manufacturing organizations—including industry leader Big Ass Fans—and built strong relationships with retailers, and he is doing just that at Mohawk.
