Floor Daily Flooring Professional Podcast

Marcos Eloi Lima (CEO of Vilas Partners), and Derick Johnson (GM of Wades Interiors), discuss Vilas Partners’ acquisition of Wades Interiors. Listen to the interview to hear more details of Vilas Partners’ source for funding and its strategy of buying independent flooring retailers on the west coast of Florida. This is Vilas Partners third acquisition. It previously acquired Floorcrafters in Ft. M...

Geoff Gordon, executive director at the Fuse Commercial Flooring Alliance, and Kemp Harr discuss the group’s continued growth and the recent announcement that Matt Cooper is stepping in to take Jerry Kenney’s role a Executive VP as Jerry retires.

Norman Freebeck, president of Roppe Holding Company, and Kemp Harr discuss the firm’s shift to 100% employee ownership. Listen to the interview to hear more about business conditions, what drove this decision, and a brief overview of how the family structured the change for the benefit of the employees.

Nicole Bivens Collinson, a tariff expert at Sandler, Travis and Rosenberg in Washington, D.C., and Kemp Harr discuss the current tariff situation for imported flooring and the reasons why they vary by country.

Russ Delozier, resident of the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), and Kemp Harr discuss recent positive news on the consumption of carpet in the second quarter of 2026, and also discuss the status of the New York state Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation that could potentially raise the price of carpet sold in the state of New York.

Piet Dossche and Don Roberts, CEO of Dossche Holdings, and Central Alabama Flooring, respectively, and Kemp Harr discuss the progress that the Floor Covering Education Foundation (FCEF) is making to recruit and train new floorcovering installers but only 30 dealers are supporting this initiative.

Scott Humphrey, CEO of the World Floor Covering Association, and Kemp Harr discuss the highlights of his organization’s Step Up Tour of flooring retailers. Listen to the interview to learn more about where the group traveled and what they learned about what makes some flooring retailers more successful than others.

Julian Dossche, CEO with International Flooring Company (IFC), and Kemp Harr discuss the parts of Julian’s growth strategy that are working, recent challenges and how they continue to take share in today’s competitive environment.

Dave Chambers, director of flooring with Nebraska Furniture Mart, and Kemp Harr discuss business conditions with Dave’s four massive flooring departments and the ribbon-cutting on the new Anso Gallery in Dallas.

Kermit Baker, former chief economist with the American Institute of Architects, and Kemp Harr discuss the recent AIA Billing Index (ABI) and the Leading Indicator for Remodel Activity (LIRA) news and what Kermit’s outlook for growth is in the build environment for the back half of 2026.

Hector Narvaez, EVP with Stonepeak, and Kemp Harr discuss highlights from the Flooring Sustainability Summit held last week in Washington, D.C. Listen to the interview to hear more about what was discussed at the meeting, as well as why Stonepeak and the Iris Group continues to be a sponsor of the event.

Cheryl Durst, CEO of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), and Kemp Harr discuss Cheryl’s core message as the keynote speaker at the Flooring Sustainability Summit held last week in Washington, D.C.

George Bandy, chief sustainability officer for Andersen Windows, and Kemp Harr discuss George’s core message as the kickoff Keynote speaker for the Flooring Sustainability Summit in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Derrick Daye, Managing Partner with The Blake Project, and Kemp Harr discuss do’s and don’ts of using AI as a marketer in the flooring industry. Listen to the interview for more details on what happens if you try to use AI to develop strategy.

Dave Triepke, president and owner of Universal Metro, a commercial flooring contractor, and Kemp Harr discuss business conditions in Southern California and the highlights of Mohawk’s education roadshow held last week in Los Angeles.

John Finch, CEO of the Legacy Group and president of the Fuse board, and Kemp Harr discuss John’s decision to exit the furniture business, his take on Chicago Design week, his use of artificial intelligence and his management style for making Legacy a fun place to work. Listen to the interview to learn how this commercial flooring contractor continues to grow.

Bill Griese, chairman of the Flooring Sustainability Summit, and Kemp Harr discuss the compelling reasons to attend next week’s 3rd annual meeting in Washington, D.C. Listen to the interview for more details on why this is a must-attend event for flooring brands and designers focused on sustainability in the built environment.

Imran Ahmad, the new CEO for HMTX, and Kemp Harr discuss Imran’s background, what attracted him to this role at HMTX, and the company’s growth strategy moving forward.

Reade Palmer, the founder of Hero Flooring, and Kemp Harr discuss the history of this brand of flooring, made from recycled Nike tennis shoes, its recent NeoCon awards and the plans for growth in the future.

Jordan Cross, the regional resource director for Gensler Chicago, and Kemp Harr discuss how she navigates the Chicago Design Week showrooms and her summary of the key design trends from this year’s show.

Isaiah Walston and Jeffrey Sommer, head of sustainability and director of marketing, respectively, and Kemp Harr discuss Tate Access Floors’ sustainability message at NeoCon 2026. Listen to the interview, taped at the NeoCon Sustainability Lab at the Mart during NeoCon, to learn more about the green advantage for using their system.

Reesie Duncan, VP of Global Design for Shaw Contract, and Kemp Harr discuss the brand’s core message at NeoCon 2026, its new product focus and its awards.

Jackie Dettmar, VP of design, product development and marketing at The Mohawk Group, and Kemp Harr discuss Mohawk’s product awards and A&D message as presented in the firm’s showroom in Fulton Market. Listen to the interview, recorded from that showroom during Chicago design week, for more details.

Brent Emore, Jennifer Zimmerman and Fred Reitz, CEO, Chief Commercial Officer and SVP of Commercial with AHF Products, respectively, and Kemp Harr discuss AHF Products’ key message points for the A&D audience at NeoCon. Listen to the interview, taped on the 7th floor of the Mart, for more details.

Caroline McNulty, Director of Interior Design with Ware Malcomb, and Kemp Harr discuss how Caroline allocates her time to see the important brands at Chicago Design Week, which includes NeoCon and Fulton Market Design Days. Listen to the interview for more insight on how to work the three-day event.