Hardwood Floors December 2019/January 2020

EMERGING LEADERS COUNCIL

Josh Neuberger, Pallmann, Chair Jesse Joyce, Middle Tennessee Lumber, Board Liaison Osiel Bentancourt, Insight Flooring Technologies Matt Bruno, Palermo Flooring Matt Casey, Bona US John Dupra, Revel Woods Jessica Hickman-Fresch,

Photos at the Emerging Leaders reception during the 2019 NWFA Expo in Fort Worth.

and provides a path for emerging leaders to potentially participate on the board in the future. “Over the next several years there is going to be a generational shift in the wood flooring industry,” said Michael Martin, NWFA President &CEO. “As the current work force begins to retire, we will see gaps both in human resources and knowledge. By identifying our emerging leaders and connecting them to seasoned members of our industry now, we hope the sharing of information and experiences between the generations will help minimize these gaps.” If you are interested in learning more about the NWFA Emerging Leaders Network, please contact Stephanie Owen, NWFA Staff Liaison for the Emerging Leaders Network at stephanie. owen@nwfa.org . g Josh Neuberger is Chair of the Emerging Leaders Council and Marketing Manager for Pallmann. He can be reached at josh. neuberger@uzin-utz.com.

programs, continued networking events, and special projects assigned to the council by the NWFA Board of Directors. One of the Council’s main objectives is to reach out to high school and college students to raise awareness about career paths within the trade. Efforts are underway through NWFA sponsored career days, webinar interviews with students, and apprenticeship programs throughout the industry. At the 2020 NWFA Expo in Milwaukee, the Emerging Leaders Council will host local students to give them a firsthand look at the wood flooring industry and the wide spectrum of career opportunities that are possible. The Emerging Leaders Council and Network is also forming a direct link with the NWFA Board of Directors. Each Emerging Leaders Council member has been partnered with a member of the Board in a mentorship program. This allows Council members to gain valuable insight into the workings of the Board

Allegheny Mountain Hardwood Flooring

David Lauzon Jr.,

Lauzon Distinctive Hardwood Flooring

Laura Mullins, Graf Custom Hardwood

Tom Ruekert Renee Tester,

Harris Wood Floors/ Q.E.P. Co.

Guillermo Velarde,

North Carolina State University

the magazine of the national wood flooring association

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