FABULOUS 15: The International Certified Floorcovering Installers Association (CFI) held its 15th annual convention in Kansas City, Mo., and along the way reached a milestone that is unprecedented and will never be equaled—the training of more than 30,000 installers. Jim Walker, CEO of the Association, commented: “If we had known that it would be this difficult for people to understand the important role that installation plays in customer satisfaction, we may not have embarked on this journey. It all seemed so simple 15 years ago. Identify and certify flooring installers according to skill and knowledge. Dealers will welcome them with open arms, and they will receive income commensurate with their skills and knowledge. Well? It really does make sense to us, but we’re still trying to convince this industry.”

INSPIRATIONAL: Steve Hardy, CFI Master, in Flagstaff, Ariz., is a man of great courage. His story touched me, and his attitude and determination captured my respect and admiration. Four years ago this month, he was driving on the Interstate with his 5-year-old grandson when an elk jumped in front of his car. He swerved, missed the elk, but the car rolled over and he severely injured his spinal cord. His grandson, miraculously, was not injured. Steve is paralyzed from the breastbone down and because he is a veteran of the Vietnam War, he has been treated at a VA hospital in San Diego. Steve, 55, is now in a wheelchair and just this past April returned to his home in Arizona. He can sit up nine hours a day, and talk about progress, the Paralyzed Veterans of America of San Diego sent him to the National VA Wheelchair Games in Omaha, all expenses paid.

HALE & HARDY: Steve just returned from the games, where he was classified a novice, and in his power chair, acquired through his insurance company, he competed in shooting, archery, weightlifting, bowling and wheelchair slalom (maneuver chairs around obstacles). He now lives in Goodyear, Ariz., with his wife, Mary Lou, and he still has three daughters in the floor covering business. Steve Hardy would not give up or give in. He went through years of therapy and specialized care; he endured surgeries and painful confinement. And he survived and he progressed and he continues to fight every day for every inch of his body. His indomitable spirit and uncompromising attitude fuel his unbridled effort to succeed. He’s already a star of the Wheelchair Games. If you would like to congratulate him, go to steve55@hughes.net.

TILE FILE: I was surprised to learn that more than 120 Spanish companies regularly sell tile to the United States through local distributors. Actually, 22 Spanish companies have established a presence in the U.S., with Porcelanosa having 19 locations; Roca, 18; Azuvi, 3, and Rosa Grea, Gres de Valls and Italgres, each with two. And on the subject of tile, we learned that Dal-Tile’s John Turner Sr., general manager of commercial sales and national accounts, will receive the prestigious Carl V. Cesery Award from the Tile Contractors’ Association of America and will be presented at its 2008 convention set for Nov. 8 to 10 in Orlando, Fla.

RETIREMENT: Frans G. De Cock will retire as president of Mohawk Industries’ Unilin division effective Dec. 31. Bernard Thiers, currently president of Unilin Flooring, will succeed De Cock, who will continue as an advisor to Unilin and will remain a member of Mohawk’s board of directors. From 1997 to 1999, he served as the president of the European Federation of Associations of Particleboard manufacturers, and then from 1999 to 2004, De Cock served as the president of the European Panel Federation.