Hardwood Floors June/July 2025

WOOD TALK

SHEOGA HARDWOOD FLOORING JOHN KIEPPER

John Kiepper handles business development for Sheoga Hardwood Flooring, a manufacturer located in Middlefield, Ohio. He has been with

John Kiepper

What is your favorite wood floor project? Installing character hickory wood flooring in my son, Andrew’s house with him. I was able to take what I’ve learned from the NWFA and other people over the years to the project. When I first started with Sheoga, I would go work with some of the flooring contractors in the evening so I could learn how to install floors. Being able to do that for my son and his wife in their home and seeing my grandchildren running around on it is special. What energizes you to stay in the wood flooring industry? It’s been a good business to be in and

the company for 27 years. Sheoga is a NOFMA certified manufacturer and part of the NWFA’s Certified Refinishable program. Kiepper recently was featured on the NWFA Wood Talk podcast, so Hardwood Floors magazine caught up with him to ask a few more questions. Tell us something interesting about yourself. I live in the same town I grew up in – Champion, Ohio, and married my high school sweetheart, Lori. It all started when the accounting teacher told me there was a girl in class who wanted me to take her to homecoming. We celebrated our 42nd wedding anniversary this year. How did you get started in the industry? I was working for Trumbull County Hardwoods, a local sawmill, and would sell lumber to Pete Miller at Sheoga. When I decided to get out of the sawmill business, Pete was looking for a sales rep and I started working for him. It’s been a good run for me and I appreciate what the hardwood flooring industry has done for me and my family. Who has influenced your career the most and why? Pete Miller, who was the president of Sheoga. He taught me a lot about flooring, what good customer service was all about, and putting out a good quality product. He had a lot to do with me learning this business. I’ve been influenced by a lot of other salespeople at our company, such as Michael Coates, who always is very positive and showed me his approach to selling.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOHN KIEPPER / SHEOGA HARDWOOD FLOORING

What are you listening to right now? I really enjoy Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, and Neil Diamond. What keeps you busy outside of work? Yard work is one of my favorite things to do. It’s quiet and peaceful and feels good when you’re done. I also enjoy flying with my son, who is a pilot. Being around family is my idea of a good day.

Sheoga puts out a quality product. When I started in 1998, I had many customers, but now as I get ready to retire, I like to say I have very few customers and a lot of friends. That’s because many of my customers turn into friends and I appreciate each and every one of them. Do you have a morning routine that sets you up for success? Making

the bed first thing, then my wife and I have a cup of coffee together before we head off to work.

You can listen to a technical-focused discussion between John Kiepper and NWFA’s Brett Miller, as well as other hardwood flooring experts by visiting HARDWOODFLOORSMAG.COM/NWFA-WOOD-TALK-PODCAST.

the magazine of the national wood flooring association

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