Al Wahnon

Chicago—During his 53 years of chronicling the flooring industry, FCNews’ founder and editor Al Wahnon has received numerous awards and accolades. On March 1, he will be honored yet again, but this time it will be with at least 18 other individuals as part of the Chicago Floorcovering Association’s (CFA) second Golden Tribute event.

The awards and banquet function pay tribute to people who have at least 50 years or more of service to the flooring industry. The first Tribute, held five years ago, honored 33 people.

Mike Kocent, a CFA past president and chairman of the event, said candidates are chosen by a special committee of CFA and need to meet only two criteria: They have at least 50 years of active service in the industry and worked in the Chicago area for some part of it. “They do not even have to be a CFA member, it’s all about their life-long service to the industry.”

At press time and in addition to Wahnon, who is already a lifetime member of CFA, this year’s Golden Tribute will honor George Apelian Sr. of Apelian Carpet & Orientals, Charles Burger of Retail Flooring Sales, Jack Carp of General Floor, Irv Davis of Show Carpet, Leon Engel of ProSource Flooring, Bernard Levy of Levy Commercial Flooring, Richard Lewis of Lewis Carpet One, Patrick Murphy of Mayfair Rug & Furniture, Len Parmacek (retired) of Mohawk Industries, Morey Reiderman of Associated Weavers, Al Scheitlin of Carswell’s Flooring, Shirley Schroeder of Kenny’s Floor Covering, Thomas Skalkos of Thomas Tile, James Skarada Sr. of Apoyan Rug, James Skarada Jr. of Apoyan Rug and Anthony Vella of Mohawk. In addition, Joseph Marchio of Marchio Floor Covering and Bernie Wittlinger of Wittlinger Enterprises will be honored posthumously.

The event will be held at the Meridian Banquet Hall in Rolling Meadows, Ill., and will feature a cocktail reception with dinner, the awards show and dancing.

Tickets are $80 per person. There will also be a commemorative book to honor the inductees. For ad information or to purchase a ticket, call CFA at 800.627.1299.

All proceeds from the event will go to the Floor Covering Industry Foundation (FCIF), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping anyone who has worked in the industry and has undergone a life-altering hardship such as illness or accident. Since being founded 27 years ago, more than $2.5 million has been discreetly given to people in need.