Hardwood Floors December 2019/January 2020

35. Mollie Surratt CEO & Founder The White Label Studio CALHOUN, GEORGIA Mollie grew up in her family’s couture bridal business, now the stage of the hit TLC show, Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta. After graduating from Samford University with a journalism and mass communication major, Mollie founded Cosmopolitan Events, an upscale event planning firm. She married and relocated to Georgia, spending 12 years in public relations/marketing for some of the world’s largest flooring and carpet manufacturers, including Shaw Floors, Anderson Hardwood, and Mohawk Flooring. In 2017, Mollie foundedThe White Label Studio, a boutique marketing agency, primarily servicing the flooring industry. Amother of two young girls, she is active in Rock Bridge Community Church in Calhoun, Georgia, and serves on the host team. This summer, Mollie took her eldest daughter on her first mission trip to serve families with children affected by childhood cancer. She is also a mentor who encourages, motivates, and listens.

36. ChrisVeety Vice President of Direct Sales Cali Brands SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA Chris began working at Cali at 27 as a sales rep and has been with the company for 12 years. Today he oversees Cali’s residential, trade, and commercial business. He played an integral role in helping the green building product manufacturer evolve from a direct-to- consumer model to a business serving a variety of channels, including national flooring dealers and specialty retailers. He implemented best practices in training and product expertise, empowering reps to provide excellent customer service, prompting a Net Promoter Score of 81. Chris drove the development of Cali’s trade and commercial channels, initially calling contractors and builders to introduce the company’s products. Chris has coached Little League for six years and also coached Cali’s after- hours softball and kickball teams to victory, winning the kickball league championship. He has participated in Earth Day tree plantings at San Elijo State Beach campground and Balboa Park, and participated in beach clean-ups with San Diego’s Surfrider Foundation chapter.

37. GuillermoVelarde Program Manager North Carolina State University RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA In 2008, Guillermo joined North Carolina State University’s Wood Machining and Tooling Research Program, becoming a project leader in Hodges Wood Products Laboratory in 2012, and eventually program manager for the Department of Forest Biomaterials Technical Services Program. Currently, he manages and mentors several students, giving them a safe environment to gain hands-on experience and professional skills. An advocate for the wood industry, he shares science-based knowledge and collaborates with others to grow the industry. Serving on NWFA’s Emerging Leaders Council, he has helped create a workforce development partnership between NWFA and NCSU and presented at NWFA Symposiums. He represents his department on the College of Natural Resources Safety Committee, reviewing and updating safety training, conducting inspections, and ensuring current practices comply with University safety standards. When he’s not with his family and two- year-old twin boys, Guillermo volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, the Susan G. Komen Foundation, and the U.S. Tennis Association.

the magazine of the national wood flooring association

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