So much has gone on over these last few months but for one reason or another I never got a chance to offer my two cents. With that said, we’re going to try and get it all in this week before we need to move on to the next thing.
First, I wanted to say a few words about “War and Peace,” also known as our 40th anniversary issue. Most important, I want to personally thank the 70- plus companies that supported the issue with ads. At 204 pages, it was the largest undertaking in this publication’s history, easily surpassing the 164 pages that was our 30th anniversary issue. It also was the most challenging endeavor I ever faced in my 40-plus years of publishing. No need to get into the details, but this would never have gotten in the can without this incredible FCNews team. Special props to Reggie Tucker and our designer Eliud Custodio, who stayed in the office until 7 a.m. on our last night (morning) of production. And I thought leaving at 5:30 a.m. made me a hero. Not even close.
One last thing about the anniversary issue. It may take you the next 40 years to read through it all, but I encourage you to do so. It’s a walk down memory lane. For people new to the industry, it serves as the prototypical history lesson. For people who have been around for a bit, it’s nice to look back on the good old days. People, products, events, good times and bad. And there’s also plenty in there honoring the people who are currently making this industry great.
One name who appears repeatedly throughout the anniversary issue is the incomparable Bob Shaw, which segues nicely into our next topic: Mr. Shaw being honored with FCNews’ Lifetime Achievement Award for 2026. We always honor someone who has yet to find their way into the WFCA Hall of Fame, but we had to make an exception this once. But there’s a bit of a caveat: We sort of honored Mr. Shaw for what he’s done the second time around—his second life, so to speak: Engineered Floors.
We all are spoiled to have a legend like Bob Shaw around for the entirety of our flooring careers. We almost take him for granted. No one has had a greater impact on this industry. Few people have had greater impacts on any one industry. Tell me how many people have built two billion-dollar companies in their lifetime? It’s not easy.
I’m lucky to call Mr. Shaw a friend. The last time I sat with him, he asked me a very poignant question: “Steve, why do you think we were able to go back in business and succeed? I told him he had a better mousetrap and had foresight like none other. His response: “It’s not that I had any different foresight than anyone. You just have to have a little, ‘I’m gonna bet I’m right’ in you. But you also have to say, ‘If I bet I am right and I am wrong, correct it quick.’”
Mr. Shaw also was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award because of his incredible benevolence, primarily in northwest Georgia. And benevolence brings me to my next topic: Susan G. Komen. I once again had the privilege of walking 20 miles with Mohawk, this time in Boston, in support of breast cancer survivors and those who lost their battle. This year I made it 17.5 miles before I had to stop for a beer and wings. Actually, I had to stop for 30 minutes before my feet fell off. The last 2.5 miles were a piece of cake.
I can’t begin to explain the admiration I have for all these people of all ages doing this walk. For the record, it’s called the 3-Day. Because they walk 20 miles for three consecutive days. Every year. So when I complain about my feet hurting after 17.5 miles, I give you permission to tell me to grow a set and shut the f up.
Shortly after the breast cancer walk I found myself back at my old stomping grounds: Saratoga Racetrack. Once again I joined UCX and my buddy Ray Mancini, who has hosted this customer appreciation event for 25 years. This was my second year attending, and the second year where I hit seven of nine races. For those who aren’t aware, I spent the first 14 years of my professional career in horse racing. Daily Racing Form, national radio, etc. I’ve been fooling you all for the last 32 years. I know nothing about flooring but everything about horse racing. And, as an aside, yes, I was all over Golden Tempo at 25-1 in this year’s Kentucky Derby. I have a Fan Duel account to prove it.
Last thing I’ll mention here: A couple days before we went to press we got word that Tim Baucom was out at Shaw. I’m not going to talk about what he did and didn’t do right. I’m just going to say Tim did an amazing job growing Shaw’s commercial business before residential also fell under his auspices, and you would be hard pressed to find a nicer, classier individual. We only wish Tim the best for whatever the future holds.
