Tustin, Calif.—Distribution industry veteran Mal Wilk was honored recently with the Silver Trumpet Award, which was presented to him by the Southern California Floor Covering Association at a dinner here attended by more than 200 people.

“Naturally,” he told the crowd, “in over 50 years in our industry, I’ve seen many changes. I’ve seen us evolve from a commodity business, particularly in hard surface, to a fashion business. This is an exciting industry. I hope that all of you are as enthusiastic and in love with this business as I am.”

After beginning his flooring career with DN & E Walter Co. in 1949 as an inside sales associate, Wilk joined Murray B. Marsch two years later, where he spent the next 21 years as an inside salesman and then area sales manager. Wilk then worked at distributor La Salle Dietch for several years before moving on to a new distribution company for the GAF Corp., where he spent five years as general manager.

In 1981, Wilk (with two partners) started a company of his own, Westward Flooring Distributors in San Diego. In 1984, he joined Diamond W as a sales manager. He later was promoted to president of the company. In 1993, Wilk became a regional sales manager with LDBrinkman. Because of his attention to detail, his sales force produced top national sales results.

Following a return to Diamond W in 2003 as a regional sales manager, Wilk accepted his current position a few months ago as sales manager for Amigos Flooring Monsters.
—Louis Iannaco