By Matthew Spieler
BERLIN, CONN.—A record crowd of approximately 170 came to the Hawthorne Inn here to pay tribute to two longtime retailers in the state as part of the Connecticut Floor Covering Association’s (CFCA) 9th Annual Awards Night.

“What started as a simple awards night has become a celebration of the industry,” said Jon Thierfeld, territory manager for Leggett & Platt, CFCA past president and emcee of the event. “We’re not only here to honor design and retail excellence in both residential and commercial applications, but to pay tribute to those who have devoted their lives to the industry as well as those who helped contribute to the association’s growth over the years.”

Because CFCA honors everyone— from the installer to the mill rep—he noted “This is the one night where everyone is equal.” This was shown when the association gave special recognition to some of the state’s best installers with a “Professionalism in Installation” award.

Two longtime Connecticut retailers were paid tribute for their years of service and integrity as they were bestowed CFCA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. William D’Adamo of North Haven Tile Carpet One Floor & Home, and Thomas Sullivan Jr. of Sullivan & Son Carpet, were both recognized for their dedication and devotion to running quality businesses their entire careers.

In presenting the awards, both were noted for their respect, integrity and devotion to family. Tom’s son, Brad pointed out a few of his dad’s mottos: “Stay with the truth and you will never have a problem,” and “Even if you lie just once, if you get caught, you will be forever known as a liar. Integrity is very important.”

Both men showed these attributes as they accepted their awards. D’Adamo said he was “happy to be among industry colleagues who have come together to strengthen their own business, the industry and to make life better.”

Sullivan, added, “This is a nice cap in my career but this award is not about me; it’s about my employees. You can be the best boss in the world but without good people working for you it means nothing.”

Along with the lifetime recipients, Kevin Blake, founder of Action Carpet & Floor Covering, was honored as CFCA’s 2007 Person of the Year. Celebrating its 15th anniversary, Action has grown from a carpet cleaning company, with the slogan, “We don’t cut corners, we clean them,” to a four-store, full-service flooring operation.

Similar to the Lifetime honorees, Blake gave all the credit for his success to his staff, especially those who install the product. “Installation means everything in this business, and I am blessed with the best around. Most have been with me for more than 10 years.”

Lastly, CFCA awarded Scott Perron with the President’s Award for his years of effort to help get the association national recognition. Perron, who is also author of FCNews’ “Retailer2-Retailer” column, was attending what may be his last CFCA meeting as the lifelong retailer recently sold his full-service and cash-and-carry stores and is in the process of moving to Kansas City, Mo., as he assumes his new role as president of Big Bob’s Flooring Outlet (FCNews, Jan. 28/Feb. 4).

Thierfeld said Perron’s “work with CFCA through the years cannot go unrecognized. From planning and running major fundraising events to putting the association on the national map. Even when he left the board to concentrate on his stores and family, he was always there when we called for help and advice.”

For more information on CFCA, please call 860.951.1644.