• 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 News

Alliance Flooring Recognizes Jerry Caputo With Lifetime Achievement Award

April 16, 2013

Alliance Flooring honored Jerry Caputo with the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award during the Awards Banquet at the group’s annual convention in Orlando, March 26, 2013.


Ron Dunn, co-CEO of Alliance Flooring, gave the audience a little background on the award, “We’re a fairly young company but over these 15 years we’ve had the privilege of having some amazing leaders be a part of our group. We’ve given this award to five individuals previously who have made a significant difference in their company, their community, in our group, as well as in the flooring industry overall. Tonight is no exception.”


Jerry Caputo began his career installing carpet in the 1960’s in the Chicago area. His ambition then carried him to work for Carpetland at their corporate offices in the 1970’s opening stores in Indiana and Michigan.


Caputo’s wife, Marge, offered some perspective on their humble beginnings, “We were both very young when we got married. When he did find a job installing carpet, that’s what we both thought he would do the rest of his life. But there was always something in him that he knew there was something else for him.”


That little “something else” was the desire to own and operate his own store. Carpetland corporate suggested he begin working in retail at another Carpetland location. After working retail for a few years, he was promoted to management and gained the experience he needed. He now had the preparation and the opportunity to open his own franchise. So Jerry and his family moved from Chicago to Dothan, AL in 1993 and opened that Carpetland store he always wanted.


“My mom and dad always had a goal of owning their own store,” added their daughter Nickie Blissett, “That dream came true when they opened their store in Dothan, AL.” Their son Bob said his dad took a big risk, “At 50 years old, he sold his house and cashed in his retirement to open his own business. At my age I can’t imagine doing that.” Marge reflected on the life-changing move, “We packed up everything and came down with all our eggs in one basket and kept our fingers crossed it was going to work.”


And worked it has. Their son, Bob, who now runs the Dothan store, gave credit to his dad for the start he gave them and the success they are enjoying today, “Carpetland of Dothan will always be my dad’s store. We’ve grown that and taken it the next level but without that foundation we would not be where we are today.” Bob attributes his father’s success to a passion for the business, taking care of his employees and following through with everything he began. He continued, “He didn’t have much turnover with his people. He had a lot of structure and he always gave people the opportunity to succeed or do better.”

Continuing with the same sentiment about his upstanding character, Marge, who also worked at the business, said, “If something wasn’t right on a job, he made it right. It was irrelevant whether the customer was right or wrong. If the customer wasn’t happy, he didn’t want his name, Carpetland, to be associated with anyone saying, ‘You don’t want to go there.’ ”


Alliance’s Dunn also gave a little background on Caputo’s drive and determination, “Really, Jerry’s story is the story of what built America. It’s the dream. He said, I’m going to take a risk. I’ve grown up around it and I’ve learned about it and now I’m going to put all my chips on the table. Because it was so strong inside of him, he could do nothing else but that. He had the vision, he had the desire and so he put everything at risk. Now look at the result of it.”


One of Caputo’s long-time friends, Gene Podell, also observed a few things that made him who he is and why his business has succeeded, “I would describe Jerry as being very driven, extremely honest, very transparent and he’s a humble individual.”


Jon Logue, co-CEO of Alliance Flooring, spoke about what he remembers about Caputo, “I’ve probably known Jerry longer than anyone else here, except his family. I started working with Jerry in the early 90’s when he was with Carpetland corporate. I remember Jerry as being an extremely hard worker, motivated, great product guy and extremely professional. He’s a real stand-up guy who made things happen.”


“This is extremely humbling,” Caputo said about receiving the honor. “I want to thank the Alliance group for making this happen.” He was noticeably touched by the recognition. So much so, it was hard for him to talk. “None of this would’ve happened without my better half, my wife, side by side with me. If I put in 15 hours a day, she put in 16. She was right with me, all the way. Thank you.”


Video
See the video of the Lifetime Achievement Award presentation on their You Tube channel at www.youtube.com/user/AllianceFlooring.

KEYWORDS: flooring industry awards

Share This Story

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

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,...
    Residential Flooring
    By: FLOOR Trends & Installation Editors
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

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

AHF Products CEO Brent Emore

AHF Products Names Brent Emore CEO

NFM Kansas City Anso Gallery

Nebraska Furniture Mart's Second Anso Gallery Brings Collaborative Retail Model to Kansas City

wenich-mit  iStock  Getty Images Plus  via Getty Images

How Amazon Speed Can Transform Your Flooring Business


Download the Free Moisture Meters Guide

Events

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

Investing in your Business

What's Your Top Business Investment Priority for 2025?
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

  • PIMA Honors ORNL's André Desjarlais with Lifetime Achievement Award

    See More
  • NAFCD-logo

    NAFCD Honors Lanning of Haines with Lifetime Achievement Award

    See More
  • BWG-Heske

    Belknap White Sales Representative Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • 9781622700158_c-15_.png

    Flooring and Floor Covering License Examination (C-15) - QuickPass Study Tool Book with Online Interactive Software

  • fab floor.jpg

    Fabulous Floor Patterns: with CD

  • 0-7643-2200-1.jpg

    Decorating with Concrete: Indoors: Fireplaces, Floors, Countertops, & More

See More Products

Related Directories

  • Fuse Alliance

    Fuse Alliance is a member-owned organization of professional, commercial flooring contractors. With 180+ members with 265+ locations across the United States and Canada, Fuse Alliance supports its members by sharing best practices, offering educational and training programs, vetting and sharing new technologies, and helping strengthen the connection between its members and key suppliers.
×

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