Hardwood Floors December 2018/January 2019

8. Grayson Deal Director of Operations Arbor Zen Hardwood Floors BLACK MOUNTAIN, NORTH CAROLINA arborzen.com Grayson started working in hardwood flooring as a teenager, learning from his father and continuing the tradition with his own company, which he founded in late 2015. He holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing fromRadford University (Virginia) and worked in outside sales for American Products Inc. before starting/joining Arbor Zen Hardwood Floors. The company was founded on a commitment to supporting long-term ecological balance without depleting natural resources or being harmful to the environment. Through a partnership with Trees for the Future and several other organizations, Arbor Zen plants 25 trees for every floor they install. In just more than three years in business, they have planted more than 12,000 trees – from the mountains of western North Carolina to the rainforests of Central America, and even the sub-Saharan flatlands of South Africa. In his spare time, Grayson plays with his bluegrass band, the Big Deal Band. 9. Andrew Derr Outside Sales Representative Derr Flooring Co. WILLOW GROVE, PENNSYLVANIA derrflooring.com

7. RJ Cunningham Owner FineCraft Hardwood BEVERLY HILLS, MICHIGAN finecrafthardwood.com

RJ Cunningham is an NWFA Certified Installer and Sand & Finish Professional, and certified in Premium Sanding Technology (PST) by Lägler North America. Additionally, he has attended training classes at Loba-Wakol, Rubio Monocoat, and Bona. His flooring industry experience began in 2001 while he was working for a hardwood flooring contractor. Starting as an installer of factory-finished wood flooring, he eventually learned the refinishing side. After working with other companies and gaining some experience, RJ started his own contracting business in 2014, and he’s been installing, sanding, refinishing, coating, and repairing for customers in the Detroit metropolitan area ever since. RJ started a Facebook group for other wood flooring professionals in Michigan. His mission is to raise the hardwood floor standard of quality in his local area by sharing experiences and techniques specific to his state. Said his nominator, “RJ is constantly learning and growing, and he’s always willing to help our fellow contractors out by sharing what he has learned over the years.”

Derr Flooring Co. opened its doors in 1912 as the Derr Lumber Co. under the ownership of John Hartenstine Derr. Andrew began working in Derr Flooring Co.’s warehouse during his summer breaks in high school and college – unloading supplier

trucks, loading delivery vehicles, and helping customers arriving to pick up goods. After college, he worked full time in customer service and counter sales. When a sales territory became available, he lobbied to be the new representative. He worked very hard in this new position and exceeded expectations by growing the territory more than 25 percent in less than a year. An active member of NWFA’s Emerging Leaders Network, Andrew has attended NWFA regional schools to further his knowledge of the industry. He is also very involved in his community by participating in the Autism Speaks Walk; Landmark Preservation in West Chester, Pennsylvania; and the rebuilding of community baseball fields in Upper Dublin Township.

the magazine of the national wood flooring association

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