The Certified Flooring Installers (CFI), a division of the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) and a leading certification organization for flooring installers and sales associates, has appointed Ralph Falavinha as its new executive vice president, effective January 1. Falavinha succeeds WFCA COO Steve Abernathy, who has served as CFI’s interim executive director.
Falavinha’s career spans expertise in nearly every facet of the flooring industry. His journey began as a young installation apprentice under his father’s guidance and expanded into all flooring categories during his 20s. In 2006, he relocated to Louisiana, where he first managed a successful workroom for a national home center. Over time, he oversaw multiple installation crews and later transitioned to operating a thriving retail store.