Hardwood Floors December 2025/January 2026

0 4

16. Gage Hunt Install Manager Premiero Floors MIDDLEFIELD, OH

Gage Hunt has worked on high-end homes along Florida’s Gulf Coast and completed hardwood flooring projects for both the Department of Defense and the Department of Justice. After relocating to Ohio, Hunt joined Premiero Floors as installation manager, where he has had the opportunity to lead a wide range of challenging and rewarding projects. These have included rift and quartered flooring of various species, herringbone with board installations, site-milled and finished parquet floors, and a 3,000-square-foot fully custom prefinished installation featuring hand-crafted borders and medallions – the company’s largest custom project to date. Outside of work, Hunt spends as much time as possible with his wife and young daughter, who he says inspire him daily to keep striving for excellence. He also enjoys helping out on his in-laws’ farm, being outdoors, and both saltwater and freshwater fishing, including a newfound passion for fly fishing.

17. Nick Khit CEO Khit Flooring Company ROCHESTER, NY With a decade of experience in the flooring industry, Nick Khit has served 2,500 homes and counting, providing high-integrity customer consultation, installations, sanding, and refinishing. He owns a design and build center with a contractor pro shop to better serve the community and contractors across western New York and beyond. Additionally, he expanded his business by opening a retail store that offers a wide selection of hardwood flooring products. centers and churches or volunteering with housing improvement projects for local families. He is dedicated to inspiring and helping others in the community, especially after surviving a life-threatening illness when he was 28 years old. That second chance at life has fueled the drive to give back – whether it is mentoring younger tradespeople, encouraging those facing hardship, or sharing his story of resilience and faith to uplift others. Khit has supported programs by donating materials to community

18. Bennett Knowlton Regional Sales Manager – North Central U.S. Saint-Gobain Abrasives Inc. WORCESTER, MA Bennett Knowlton has been with Norton/Saint-Gobain

for more than a decade. During that time, he has built a career driven by a passion for strong customer relationships and delivering innovative solutions. Knowlton’s career with Norton began in industrial technical sales, supporting key manufacturing accounts in steel, aerospace, and foundry. His success led to a transition into national accounts within the DIY retail division, where he played a pivotal role in launching strategic programs and building long-term partnerships with national distribution. Today, as regional sales manager for the professional floor sanding division, he leads a team of territory managers across the Northeastern and Midwestern U.S., continuing to strengthen Norton’s commitment to providing value to distributors, contractors, and end-users alike. Knowlton is an active member of the Hardware Group Association and a former collegiate athlete. He has volunteered with the Special Olympics and is active in his community through Saint-Gobain’s partnership with the United Way of Worcester.

48 hardwood floors hardwoodfloorsmag.com