• Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
  • AWARDS
  • EDUCATION
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
  • EMAGAZINE
  • SIGN UP
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • NEWS
  • Breaking Flooring News
  • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
  • Carpet & Area Rugs
  • Hardwood
  • Installation Products
  • Installation Tools & Equipment
  • Laminate
  • Resilient
  • Specialty
  • Tile & Stone
  • MARKETS
  • Commercial
  • Residential
  • AWARDS
  • Installation Awards
  • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
  • Continuing Education
  • Webinars
  • MEDIA
  • FLOOR Podcast
  • Videos
  • TISE 2025 Videos
  • Product Spotlights
  • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
  • eMagazine
  • Archive Issues
  • Contact
  • Advertise
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
    • Breaking Flooring News
    • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
    • Carpet & Area Rugs
    • Hardwood
    • Installation Products
    • Installation Tools & Equipment
    • Laminate
    • Resilient
    • Specialty
    • Tile & Stone
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
    • Commercial
    • Residential
  • AWARDS
    • Installation Awards
    • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
    • Continuing Education
    • Webinars
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
    • FLOOR Podcast
    • Videos
    • TISE 2025 Videos
    • Product Spotlights
    • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP
Breaking Flooring NewsShows and Events for FlooringBusiness InsightsCarpet and Rugs

Carpet Industry Leaders Navigate Global Growth, Sustainability Policies at CRI Annual Meeting

By Tanja Kern
CRI Annual Meeting Russ DeLozier

CRI President Russ DeLozier at the 2024 CRI Annual Meeting. Photo: Floor Trends & Installation. 

CRI Annual Meeting Leadership

Dalton Mayor Annalee Sams, CRI President Russ DeLozier and Mannington President and CEO Tom Pendley at the 2024 CRI Annual Meeting in Dalton, Georgia. Photo: Floor Trends & Installation.

CRI Annual Meeting Dalton Mayor

Dalton Mayor Annalee Sams at the CRI Annual Meeting in Dalton, Georgia. Photo: Floor Trends & Installation. 

CRI Annual Meeting Mohawk

Paul DeCock, president of flooring North America, Mohawk Industries, with Ken Walma, who will take over the role on February 1, at the CRI Annual Meeting in Dalton, Georgia. Photo: Floor Trends & Installation. 

CRI Annual Meeting Dixie Team

Tami Stahl, Jessica Harris and Lisa Hedden of the Dixie Group at the CRI Annual Meeting in Dalton, Georgia. Photo: Floor Trends & Installation. 

CRI Annual Meeting Russ DeLozier
CRI Annual Meeting Leadership
CRI Annual Meeting Dalton Mayor
CRI Annual Meeting Mohawk
CRI Annual Meeting Dixie Team
November 13, 2024

The Carpet and Rug Institute's (CRI) annual meeting in Dalton, Georgia, highlighted an industry balancing success with new challenges, from global growth to mounting regulations.

"We're going to educate customers and consumers to advance technical initiatives and to advocate on behalf of the carpet manufacturing industry," said CRI President Russ DeLozier during his opening remarks. "And we're going to do that with science, and we're going to do it with integrity, and that's our mission."

CRI reported significant achievements in technical certifications and legislative affairs. The organization's Green Label Plus program has achieved broad international reach on the technical front, now holding 646 certificates across 26 countries and six continents. The program, which measures volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and maintains AAP accreditation, is complemented by the even more extensive Seal of Approval program, which has issued 790 certificates globally.

A significant victory came two weeks ago when the California Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) officially validated that carpet sold in California does not contain perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)—a chemical that can cause health problems and is on the Proposition 65 list—confirming the industry's long-standing compliance practices.

On the legislative front, CRI faced numerous challenges across multiple states, with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws emerging as a primary concern. An EPR is an environmental policy that holds producers responsible for managing their products throughout their lifecycle. In California, despite intensive industry opposition, Bill 863 passed with a 24-9 vote following a complex "gut and amend" process,  DeLozier reported. Hear more about the California legislation from Bob Peoples, executive director of Carpet America Recovery Effort, in the FLOORtalk podcast. 

New York continues to grapple with implementing its 2022 EPR law, facing unique challenges around industry cooperation and antitrust considerations. However, there were some positive developments: Minnesota saw its first year without new legislation after a decade of continuous activity, and Illinois did not introduce new bills following nine years of challenges. 

Looking ahead to 2025, DeLozier said CRI is actively monitoring seven states—California, Connecticut, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, and Hawaii—while maintaining engagement through various legislative channels and events. The organization's government relations team, led by Jen Stowe, VP of government relations, continues to build relationships through "red carpet events" at legislative conferences, working to represent industry interests at both state and federal levels.

As the event's keynote speaker, Dalton Mayor Annalee Sams gave a local perspective. She expressed gratitude to the floor covering industry, highlighting its historical significance and her connections as a fourth-generation Dalton resident. She discussed the need for forward-thinking strategies to retain manufacturing in northwest Georgia, including labor force planning and retention incentives.

"This is where relationships with our governmental leadership have really come into play, and as appropriate, the City of Dalton looks forward to being a strong voice and supporter for the floor covering industry," Sams said. 

DeLozier encouraged meeting attendees to continue pressing forward and honoring their work: "You've heard that phrase, 'The Carpet Capital of the World' so many times you probably roll your eyes—don't let that happen. Your impact as manufacturers, as leaders, as employees, as associates in flooring, is huge—not only to our country but to the world as a whole." 

2024 Joseph J. Smrekar Memorial Award 

During the meeting, CRI awarded three industry leaders with the 2024 Joseph J. Smrekar Memorial Award in recognition of their contributions to the carpet industry, including their efforts to engage extended producer responsibility (EPR) in California.

DeLozier and industry veteran Joe Yarbrough, past president of The CRI and last year’s award recipient, presented the awards to John Bradshaw of Shaw Industries Group, Inc., Ashley Young of Mohawk Industries, Inc., and Shawn McGill of Engineered Floors.

2025 CRI Board Leadership

The meeting also saw a change in board leadership. The 2025 CRI Board of Directors includes Jay Brown of Bentley Mills; Dan Frierson of The Dixie Group; Robert E. Shaw of Engineered Floors; Tom Pendley of Mannington Mills; Patrick Keese of Milliken & Company; Joe Semaan of Mohawk, Industries; Tim Baucom of Shaw Industries; and Winn Everhart of Tarkett North America. 

The 2025 CRI Board Officers include Chairman Tim Baucom of Shaw Industries; Vice Chairman Joe Semaan of Mohawk Industries; Treasurer Becky Boley of Shaw Industries; CRI President Russ DeLozier; and Secretary Michelle Freshour. 

KEYWORDS: flooring industry associations flooring industry awards Recycling sustainability The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI)

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Tanja kern headshot 2023

Tanja Kern is the associate publisher and editorial director of FLOOR Trends & Installation. She is also the host of the FLOORtalk podcast, where she explores the changes and challenges facing the flooring community's thought leaders and creatives. Tanja has been writing about business, design, and lifestyle for two decades, and her work has appeared in publications such as American Way, Better Homes & Gardens, Fine Interiors, Fodor's, Food Channel, CA Modern, Chicago, Fine Interiors, and Los Angeles.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • resilient flooring

    The 7 Types of Resilient Flooring

    The resilient flooring category is comprised of many...
    Resilient Flooring
    By: Resilient Floorcovering Institute
  • QuickDrain USA’s ShowerLine linear drain

    Tips for Curbless Shower Installation Using a Linear Drain

    Consider these four tips when planning for a curbless...
    Installation How-To
    By: Darryl Jones
  • 2024 New Flooring Product Guide

    2024 New Flooring Products Guide

    We explore this year's introductions in area rugs,...
    Commercial Flooring
    By: FLOOR Trends & Installation Editors
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

close

1 COMPLIMENTARY ARTICLE(S) LEFT

Loader

Already a Registered User? Sign in now.

Subscribe For Free!
  • eMagazine
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

Shaw Flooring Network Retailers Report Post-Election Sales Surge

Shaw Flooring Network Retailers Report Post-Election Sales Surge

Retailers Share Top Takeaways from Shaw Flooring Network Convention

Retailers Share Top Takeaways from Shaw Flooring Network Convention

Takeaways from the 2024 AHSG Convention & Member Outlook for 2025

Takeaways from the 2024 AHSG Convention & Member Outlook for 2025

What Shaw Flooring Network Dealers are Banking on for 2025

What Shaw Flooring Network Dealers are Banking on for 2025

More Videos

Popular Stories

RevWood American Originals.jpg

How Mohawk's Domestic Manufacturing Powers Growth in Challenging Times

Ken Ballin manning the Tools 4 Flooring booth in Tool Alley at TISE 2025

10 Tool Innovations Every Flooring Contractor Should Have on Their Wish List

Paul Hambidge

The Waterproof Laminate Myth: Why Consumer Expectations May Never Be Met


Download the Free Moisture Meters Guide

Events

June 9, 2025

NeoCon 2025

A trade show for the commercial interior design industry.

December 1, 2030

Webinar Sponsorship Information

For webinar sponsorship information, visit www.bnpevents.com/webinars or email webinars@bnpmedia.com.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Flooring Groups

Flooring retailers, do you belong to a buying, marketing or franchise group?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

2025 BNI Interiors Square Foot Costbook

2025 BNI Interiors Square Foot Costbook

See More Products

FLOORtalk podcasts - Listen Now

Related Articles

  • Flooring Sustainability Summit Panel 1.jpg

    Industry Leaders Convene at DC Flooring Sustainability Summit to Shape Green Future

    See More
  • Vylett Cross CCA Award 2025

    CCA Global's NEX40 Retreat Powers Up Next-Gen Flooring Leaders with Peer-to-Peer Learning

    See More
  • Photo Bjelin.jpg

    Bjelin Group Forms to Accelerate Global Commercial Growth in Flooring and Furniture

    See More
×
CRI President Russ DeLozier at the 2024 CRI Annual Meeting. Photo: Floor Trends & Installation. 
Dalton Mayor Annalee Sams, CRI President Russ DeLozier and Mannington President and CEO Tom Pendley at the 2024 CRI Annual Meeting in Dalton, Georgia. Photo: Floor Trends & Installation.
Dalton Mayor Annalee Sams at the CRI Annual Meeting in Dalton, Georgia. Photo: Floor Trends & Installation. 
Paul DeCock, president of flooring North America, Mohawk Industries, with Ken Walma, who will take over the role on February 1, at the CRI Annual Meeting in Dalton, Georgia. Photo: Floor Trends & Installation. 
Tami Stahl, Jessica Harris and Lisa Hedden of the Dixie Group at the CRI Annual Meeting in Dalton, Georgia. Photo: Floor Trends & Installation. 

We’re rolling out the red carpet of flooring knowledge!

Stay in the know on the latest flooring retail trends.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing

search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
    • Breaking Flooring News
    • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
    • Carpet & Area Rugs
    • Hardwood
    • Installation Products
    • Installation Tools & Equipment
    • Laminate
    • Resilient
    • Specialty
    • Tile & Stone
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
    • Commercial
    • Residential
  • AWARDS
    • Installation Awards
    • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
    • Continuing Education
    • Webinars
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
    • FLOOR Podcast
    • Videos
    • TISE 2025 Videos
    • Product Spotlights
    • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP