Hardwood Floors December 2018/January 2019

28. Dominic Ragalie Operations Manager BC Northwest Distribution TUALATIN, OREGON bcnorthwestdistribution.com

29. Derick Roy North American Sales Manager Wickham Hardwood Flooring WICKHAM, QUEBEC wickhamhardwood.com Lured away from a pro hockey career by Wickham Hardwood President JP Nittolo, Derick joined Wickham Hardwood Flooring in February 2017 as a North American Sales Representative. Derick earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, with an emphasis on international marketing and finance; he also played for the Northeastern Huskies men's ice hockey team. His education and ability to speak five languages, including French and English, allows him to seamlessly transition between his French Canadian employer and U.S. customers with his fresh, honest approach to selling hardwood flooring. Derick also speaks German, Italian, and Spanish. Derick regularly volunteers to coach youth hockey in his native Quebec and also is actively involved in mentoring teens, encouraging them to pursue their hockey careers while getting a college education, rather than the normal path taken by talented Quebecers, who typically forgo higher education and go straight to the youth hockey leagues.

Dominic started working as a sander/finisher/installer at Tualatin-based Treadline Hardwood when he was just 10 years old. At 15, Dominic took over all responsibilities for BCNorthwest Distribution, a hardwood flooring supply distributor. He grew the company from a small

space in the Treadline offices to an independent warehouse, which he financed, built, and grew exponentially since its founding in 2011 – all while attending high school and graduating with a 4.02 GPA. Throughout high school, Dominic was a member of the National Honor Society, participating in numerous community service projects. He served as editor of the broadcast team, donating countless hours broadcasting high school sports programs to families who were unable to attend games. Dominic has attended two NWFAWood Flooring Expos and visited the Loba-Wakol and Lägler facilities in Germany in September 2018. Currently he is working his way through college while he continues to run BCNorthwest Distribution.

30. Kimberly Russ Account Manager & Estimator Champion Floor Company ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI championfloor.com

Kim came back to Champion Floor Company in 2011 as an account manager and estimator. Her father, Ralph, owns the business, so she grew up working and learning there. On her return, Kim realized that her dad wore many hats. She also noticed how busy he was, so she stepped up to help revamp the bidding process and better organize the company. For example, Kim introduced technology to transformChampion from a “paper everything” to a digital office. Kim took several more leaps, transforming the showroom into a showpiece. She also built a network of vendors, designers, and contractors that allowed Champion Floor Company to grow in ways that were previously not possible. She continues to expand her product and technical knowledge, and share that with the company’s contractors, homeowners, and designers. Kim is an active member of the St. Louis Police Wives group. She and her husband, a police detective, donate their time and resources to help police officers and their families.

54 hardwood floors www.hardwoodfloorsmag.com