Hardwood Floors December 2018/January 2019

10. Jared Fitzgerald Owner Southern Oaks Flooring NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE southernoaksflooring.com

11. Daniel Goodwin

12. Jonathan Gramajo Co-Owner GQ Hardwood Floors Inc. CENTRAL FALLS, RHODE ISLAND gqhardwoodfloors.com Jonathan started working with wood floors at age 19. He founded GQHardwood Floors Inc. in 2014 with partner Henry Lopez after 19 years’ experience. He has taken several NWFA hands-on training classes and NWFA University online courses including the three-day Basic Installation class and three-day Basic Sand & Finish class. Jonathan and the GQHardwood Floors teamworked on two projects for the PBS network’s This Old House program. One was a Craftsman-style cottage “idea house” in Narragansett, Rhode Island, in which they installed a quartersawn white oak entrance in a herringbone design. The other was a new wood flooring installation in a South Kingstown beach house, which was featured in the 2017- 2018 Season of This Old House and in This Old House Magazine . Jonathan supports many causes including St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital; Progreso Latino, a non-profit organization supporting Rhode Island’s Latino and immigrant communities; and Guatemalan relief efforts following the volcanic eruption in June 2018.

Branch Manager Raleigh/Triangle

American Products Inc. RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA ampro-online.com

Jared started installing floors as a part- time job during college. After graduating with degrees in history and Spanish, he quickly realized he enjoyed his part- time job more than being in an office or classroom. Now he’s working toward his NWFA Craftsman Certification. Since joining NWFA in 2013, he has already earned his Installation Certification and Sand and Finish Certification. Jared has also assisted with the NWFA hands-on training classes. He particularly enjoys custom parquet work, and one of his designs was nominated for a 2018 Wood Floor of the Year award. Jared’s work has appeared in Southern Living Magazine , in Rubio Monocoat's inspiration book, and on HGTV's Property Brothers , as well as publications in the Nashville area. In 2017, Jared initiated a partnership with Cane Ridge High School to develop an internship program that introduces high school juniors and seniors to the craft of hardwood flooring. He's active in his church as well, teaching youth and participating in scouting activities.

At age 20, Daniel was a part-time driver for a hardwood flooring distributor in Raleigh, North Carolina. He quickly rose to full-time Operations Manager until the company was dissolved. American Products Inc. hired him as a full-time driver for the Raleigh/Triangle branch. Drawing on his natural mechanical aptitude, Daniel developed and managed an on-site equipment repair shop and workshop while still driving and delivering as needed. His management skills coupled with his work ethic and commitment to his fellow employees led to a position as Operations Manager, then Branch Manager. That commitment extends to his community. Despite being recently married and caring for a newborn daughter, remodeling a home, and working long days, Daniel volunteers each week with local organizations that support the homeless and addicted. Shared his nominator, “As the man who hired him at 20, I’ve been privileged to watch him grow to become the man he is at 30. Certainly, he’s a key example of the next generation and the valuable contributions they’re making as representatives of the hardwood industry.”

48 hardwood floors www.hardwoodfloorsmag.com