DALTON, GEORGIA -- Nick Freadreacea became chairman of the board of the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) effective Q1 2017. Freadreacea, president and owner of The Flooring Gallery in Louisville, KY, fills the role vacated by Scott Walker of Walker Flooring & Interiors who became immediate past chairman.
The WFCA Board of Directors also elected MaryAnne Adams, president, Avalon Flooring as chairman-elect; confirmed Jason Fromm, Carpet Spectrum, Inc. as chief financial officer and treasurer; Scott Appel, president, Touch of Color, as secretary; and Deb DeGraaf, president and owner, DeGraaf Interiors, and Dean Howell, Moda Floors and Interiors, as vice chairs. These individuals will comprise the association's executive committee for 2017.
The WFCA elects its board of directors for three-year terms. Current directors include:
-Curt Bowler, Abbey Carpet & Floor
-Tony Buckhardt (CFI), Carpet Cushions & Supplies
-Tom Cartmell (CFI), Mr. Davids Flooring International LLC
-Kelby Frederick, My Flooring Texas
-Karyn Hadley, Rite Loom
-Tim Jacobi, Jacobi Carpet One
-Shane Lewis, Town & Country Floor Design Inc
-Sam O'Krent, O'Krent's Abbey Flooring Center
-Donny F. Phillips Jr., Atlanta Flooring Design Centers
-Don Roberts, Wheat's and Don's Carpet One
-Carrie Seifert, Diversified Flooring Design Center
-Roger Wilson, Nampa Floor and Interiors
-Keith Campbell , Mannington Mills, Inc.
-Paul Murfin, IVC Inc.
-Bob Weiss, All Tile Inc.
This will be Freadreacea's second round as chairman of the WFCA. He also served in this capacity in 2010. The seasoned executive has been involved in the flooring industry for 39 years and running. Freadreacea started his career at Kinnaird and Francke in Louisville. There he worked his way up to vice president before the company was sold to The Maxim Group.
He was promoted to regional vice president while at Maxim. In 2000, Freadreacea made a deal with his employer to purchase the stores he had been supervising in his region. Over time these stores became what is now The Flooring Gallery. Over the past 17 years The Flooring Gallery has grown to be the largest locally owned Flooring store in his area. Flooring Gallery services both the specialty retail and the builder new construction segments of the business. The Flooring Gallery is based in Kentucky and includes three distribution centers covering Columbus to Knoxville, TN. Freadreacea credits the success of his company completely to the people he works with; many who have been with the company from the start. "I believe following the WFCA code of ethics is a critical plan of success for anyone in our industry," said Freadreacea.
Recently Freadreacea's business won the Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Business Ethics. The company also received the FloorExpo New Member and FloorExpo Member of the Year Award; the Houzz Service Award, as well as multiple other awards from various Home Builder and Apartment associations.
Freadreacea's involvement with the WFCA began in 2001 when he was first elected to the board. He has since served once as chairman of the board, been on numerous committees and was chairman of the WFCA’s Finance Committee.
"I am very honored to be at the helm, for a second time, of the World Floor Covering Association," said Freadreacea. "The association has made great strides over the past few years in implementing necessary changes and enhancing our industry for the betterment of all. Those in my position before me, as well as Scott Humphrey and his team, have truly taken the organization to new heights that none of us could have imagined. The team in place is second to none and nothing is going to get in the way of continuing to fulfill our mission every day. As it has been since I joined this esteemed group over fifteen years ago, I am committed to the ongoing success of the WFCA and all of its members."