Hardwood Floors October/November 2017

ARTURO OBADIA Owner/Operator, Woodruff Designing and Remodeling LLC Arturo has been in the wood ooring industry for the last ve years; he has createdWoodru Designing and Remodeling LLC from the ground up. An immigrant fromVenezuela, he learned of this cra when he rst came to the United States, working as a laborer installing oors and learning before stepping out on his own. He would o en work long hours for free just to learn be er techniques on how to install ooring from other ooring industry professionals. e very rst hardwood ooring job he did on his own, he could not yet a ord the tools he wanted and needed to complete the job most e ectively. However, he persevered and installed 1,200 square feet of hardwood ooring with just a simple jig saw, tap blocks, and rubber mallet. at customer was so impressed by his work ethic, they referred Arturo to their friends and neighbors, which launched him into the wood ooring world. He has since built his business to span across many cities. Arturo is proud to teach other installers looking to learn the trade of ooring. It is his passion to pass along his knowledge to eager-to-learn students. 22.

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JOSH NEUBERGER Marketing Manager, Pallmann With more than 14 years of experience in multiple channels of the hardwood ooring industry ranging from contracting, distribution, and manufacturing, Josh has balanced a great work experience history with a solid educational background that has allowed for a strategic and natural approach to business applications within various roles of the industry. e most rewarding aspect for Josh is developing long- term relationships with contractors, distributors, manufacturers and other industry colleagues, allowing for further enhancement of each respective business. is industry has been incredibly satisfying to build a career in for Josh and he looks forward to the evolution of the hardwood ooring industry in the future. He is currently the Marketing Manager for Pallmann and recently completed a two- month exchange program working at Pallmann GmbH inWurzburg, Germany. Josh is also active on the NWFA Expo commi ee and the Emerging Leaders Council.

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KEVIN OWEN Owner, Owen Flooring

Kevin was introduced to hardwood ooring in seventh grade when his dad installed their own hardwood oor with the help of his grandpa and brother. He has always wanted to work with wood and managed to get a start at it in 2004 working for a local builder. Near the end of 2004, he became a ooring subcontractor under the name Owen Flooring. During his installation years, he was able to travel and install across Canada. Kevin now owns a retail location with 15 full-time employees, seven vehicles and hires subcontractors as well. In 2012, he also joined the Chatham-Kent Home Builders Association, in 2013, he was voted to the Board of

Directors, and in 2015, he became an employee of CKHBA with the title Executive O cer. He is also a Member of Windsor Essex Home Builders Association, sits on the Board of Directors, and acts as Second Vice President. He was also recently the title sponsor of an event called “Say Yes to the Dress Again” that raised $5,000 for Hospice, and a sponsor for Eye for Art. Earlier this year, he installed a wheelchair-accessible shower and all new ooring in a home for a 9-year-old girl who needed the services he provided to live at home with her new disabilities.

year, he had built enough contacts and reputation to make his company his full-time source of income. THCustomHardwood now consists of seven full-time employees and three part- time employees. THCustom Hardwood works for 25+ contractors in the Cleveland area, and has helped many of these contractors win NARI and CODY awards due to their hardwood ooring. ey have maintained an A rating with the Be er Business Bureau, Angie’s List, and Home Adviser.

TIMOTHY PALERMO Business Owner, TH Custom Hardwood Tim began his career in hardwood ooring at the age of 16 working for a small company during summer months. A er turning 18, he moved on to another company located on the west-side of Cleveland. When he started there, the company consisted of the employer, another employee and himself. When Tim had le that company six years later, it had grown to the largest

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hardwood ooring company in Cleveland. At one point, he and another project foreman oversaw the operations of 18 employees. One year later, Tim decided to open his own business. Within a

the magazine of the national wood flooring association

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