Ralph Grogan fills us in on his new role as commercial president for the Meridian Adhesives Group Flooring Division, which includes Taylor Adhesives, and shares what he anticipates for the adhesives and the commercial flooring markets in 2024.

Recently, the Lowe’s Foundation committed $50 million to prepare and train 50,000 men and women for the skilled trades over five years. Here, Betsy Conway, director, Lowe’s Foundation, shares who the grant will benefit, who they are working with to achieve this goal, and how the flooring industry, or anyone for that matter, can benefit.

Hear from Steve Abernathy, COO of the World Floorcovering Association, who works with CFI, and FCICA Board Chair Pat Kelly about the inaugural year of the 2023 CFI FCICA Convention and future collaborative opportunities for installation.

Shaw’s Susan Farris was recently inducted into the Women in Manufacturing Association’s Hall of Fame. She talks about her 30-year flooring career and the importance of empowering and supporting women in their career journeys. 

Wayne Highlander, director of adhesive sales, Bona, uses his 30 years as a hardwood flooring installer to inform product development, support his sales team and entertain listeners on his podcast. He offers some insight into how to reach the industry’s next generation.

Robert Falzone, national stone and masonry director, Coval, entered the cleaning and restoration business out of necessity. But what would seem like only a temporary gig turned into a lifelong, lucrative, and enjoyable career.

John Steier, owner, Steier Flooring, has been putting down flooring for over 20 years. He recently left a 15-year career as a volunteer for his local police reserve unit to write a new chapter—flooring installation training. He tells us what it really takes to be a trainer.