StarNet celebrates 100th member at annual meeting

July 1, 2003

StarNet 2003 Board of Directors assemble for a group shot. Pictured (front row from left) are Chairman Randy Rubenstein of Rubenstein's Contract Carpet; Treasurer Bob Sabosik of M.E. Sabosik Associates; Director Randy Weis of RD Weis & Cos.; Director Stan Licker of Fraser Gold; Chairman Emeritus Harold Chapman of Bonitz Flooring; (top row from left) Secretary Jim Vanhauer, Commercial Flooring Systems Director, Mark Moser, Interior Surface; and Director Brooks Mancini of B.T. Mancini Co.

StarNet Commercial Flooring Cooperative, a member-owned organization of independent commercial floor covering contractors, welcomed its 100th member into the fold amidst fireworks, music and margaritas at the close of Starnet’s annual membership meeting, May 16-18 in Tucson, Ariz.

Harold Chapman, president of Birmingham, Ala.-based Bonitz Flooring Group, and a charter member of StarNet, welcomed Universal Metro of Santa Fe Springs, Calif., to the StarNet family. Dave Triepke, president of Universal Metro, said he was proud to join the organization.

More than 30 companies showcased products and services available to StarNet members during the StarNet vendor trade show earlier that weekend. Wilsonart unveiled a Velocity glue-down product for healthcare installations, which was being test marketed at the show. Ardex/Henry revealed plans to host a StarNet program called “Leveraging Profitability” in September.

Also at the meeting, StarNet announced two new board of directors appointments for 2003 through 2006. Randall Weis, president of RD Weis & Cos., was elected as a director. Harold Chapman was awarded status as chairman emeritus. The StarNet membership reelected current chairman Randy Rubenstein for a third board term.

StarNet plans to host its next membership meeting April 29-May 2, 2004, at Amelia Island, Fla.

Michael Chmielecki wrote about the floor covering industry for BNP Media for more than ten years. As editor of Floor Covering Installer and senior editor of Floor Trends, he always sought ways to better connect and inform the installation and contracting community. Mike has a degree in journalism from the University of New Hampshire.