Michael Babula


Clarion Laminateshas namedMichael Babulavp sales & marketing. Babula will be responsible for North American sales, customer service and marketing for Clarion laminates. He was recently president and CEO, North America, of Franke from 2005 to 2008. Prior to that, he was vp sales at Baldwin Hardware Corp. and progressed through ownership of Masco Corp. and Black and Decker Corp.

William Hakes, Ph.D.,has been appointed to the newly established position of chief marketing officer atAMC, Inc.,leading all marketing initiatives, including the AmericasMart brand. Hakes was formerly president of the Aspen Analytics division of Aspen Marketing Services, an international marketing services firm. He will be responsible for the full integration of all electronic and conventional marketing programming across all AMC business lines, primarily within the company’s AmericasMart flagship brand encompassing wholesale home, gift, area rug and apparel operations housed in its seven million square-foot downtown Atlanta trade mart complex.

Marc Papillon

Gerflorhas appointedMarc Papillonas technical services manager for its Eastern Region. Papillon started as an installer in his father’s company, Tapis André Papillon Inc., in 1971, and served as contract manager from 1973 to 1990. For the next seven years he worked as a freelance technical advisor for numerous North American flooring manufacturers such as Peerless Carpet Inc., Roberts Adhesive Inc. and Gerflor Canada. Most recently Papillon held technical manager positions at Mondo America and MAPEI.

Erin Dempsey

Erin Dempseyhas been named Southeast sales manager forCentiva.She has worked at Centiva since 2006, first as an assistant to the director of sales, then promoted to special projects manager. She will serve a region extending from North Carolina to West Texas.

John Mitchell

John Mitchellhas joinedRobinaas Western regional sales manager. He was previously with Unilin/Mohawk and before that in sales, sales management and business development at the Schlage Lock Co. For more than 10 years, Mitchell has interacted with top single family and multifamily builders, Robina noted.

CBC (America)has added several new staffers.Dale Carsonwill serve as the national accounts sales manager. He brings 24 years of experience in the flooring industry, including the past 11 years at Amtico International.

The company has also added three regional sales representatives.Al Fischer,covering the Western region, has more than 30 years of experience in flooring sales and management. He will work to increase CBC’s reach through California, Nevada, New Mexico and Arizona.Stephanie McCormick,covering the Southwest region, has more than 20 years of experience in commercial flooring in Texas. She will work with customers in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and parts of the Gulf Coast region.Andrew Heeter,a commercial specification expert, will serve the Mid-Atlantic.



Brian Divelbiss

Laticretehas appointedBrian Divelbissas technical sales representative for the Indiana region. In his new position, Divelbiss will work to build and maintain Laticrete distribution partnerships in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. He comes to Laticrete with extensive experience in the tile and stone industry, where he has worked for Daltile and most recently owned his own company, Precision Stoneworks, manufacturing custom concrete countertops and molds, as well as offering custom tile design and installation.

Ralph Grove

Ralph Grove,CFE, ofCommercial Carpets of Americahas earned the title of LEED AP. CCA said it will urge other staffers to become certified. According to Mike Reinke, CCA sr. vp, “We believe our strongest asset is our employee. If they are trained properly, business will follow."

Deborah Damatohas joinedGreyne Custom Wood Co.as a flooring representative through Watson Smith Carpet Rugs Hard Surface, an 80-year-old flooring company located in Chicago’s famed Merchandise Mart. Damato has more than 25 years of experience in the floor covering and textiles industry.