On Dec. 31, VanGelderen retired from the post of president and chief operating officer of the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), a position he has held since October 1980. For two decades, arguably the most challenging in the industry's history, he provided leadership and direction in a multitude of areas.
The old adage about "the right man, in the right place, at the right time" aptly describes VanGelderen. It was during his tenure that the industry faced a host of issues that it never had to grapple with before. The changing times also demanded that the industry look at new ways of doing things, and work on launching creative new programs. VanGelderen rose to the occasion time after time. He was a master problem-solver who established himself as a major force in the industry and led it through a period of robust growth.