A pioneering retailer and entrepreneur, Harold Chapman will become the 48th inductee into the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) Flooring Industry Hall of Fame. Chapman, former president of Bonitz Flooring Group, will be inducted at a reception and ceremony in conjunction with the WFCA Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla. on May 17.

“Harold epitomizes all that the Hall of Fame stands for,” said Scott Humphrey, CEO of WFCA. “He has achieved this honor for his continual contributions and achievements throughout his career.”

Chapman has spent his entire professional life in the flooring industry. After graduating from Clemson University in South Carolina, his first job was as a salesman for Sears’ commercial division in Anderson, S.C. He was promoted to division sales manager for the entire state before he even hit his two-year anniversary with the company.

Chapman’s next notable accomplishment occurred after he joined Bonitz Flooring Group in Greenville, S.C. At that time, he was the only flooring sales person in the city. As the sole practitioner, his role included conducting all estimates, sales, and project management companywide. His talents and skills had him promoted to manager in less than a year with the company. He became officer of the company within his first 5 years.

Chapman soon rose to the position of president and chief executive officer at Bonitz Flooring Group, a company he grew to become the nation’s largest independent commercial flooring company. There he was responsible for providing the corporate vision and for leading the employee-owned company. Besides his skill set for management, sales, sales training, and marketing strategies, his associates recognize him for his mentoring and life skills teaching. Chapman retired from Bonitz in 2016.

Chapman’s involvement with the WFCA began when Bonitz became a member in 1998. He was elected to the WFCA board for the first time in 2002. During his first years as a board member, Chapman served on the WFCA finance and executive committees, as well as several others. He was elected again as chairman of the WFCA board in 2012 and has continued to hold board and committee seats with the association since.

Chapman has served on many advisory boards during his 35-year career, including Dupont and BASF. He is a past board member for the Carolina’s Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. His leadership and insight contributed directly to the chapter’s early success.

For more information, visit wfca.org.