:: Press :: Executive Bios :: World Floor Covering Association flooring industry professionals and members

For Immediate Release

For more information:
D. Christopher Davis
CEO and President/WFCA
800/624-6880

New Executive Committee, Board Members Elected

Anaheim, CA: July 3, 2006 – Robert A. Hill, who built a group of floor covering businesses from a single store in suburban Chicago to a $100 million-plus operation today, takes over as Chairman of the Board of the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) on July 1, 2006.

He is initiating a program for the association that “is not business-as-usual. This is a unique time in our industry,” says Hill, “a time that creates an opportunity for this organization to grow in membership, resources and services. It is a time when we can make a difference by simplifying a complicated world.”

“Unlike most trade associations, the WFCA has the financial resources to back its initiatives,” the new leader observes. “The sale of the “Surfaces” trade show for $40+ million in 2000 makes it possible for us to undertake programs that can make a difference, not only for our members, but also for consumers. We have the resources to deliver on our promises.”

Hill expects that the new $.25 million WFCA website which is about to come on-line will be a national clearinghouse for high quality consumer information on how to select, purchase and care for all types of floor covering. “It’s designed to be truly helpful, to demystify the whole buying process, and to make decisions easier. It will also enable consumers to find local WFCA dealers and members who are WFCA-certified flooring experts.”

Hill notes that the 3,000-member WFCA is “the only place where every segment of the floor covering industry can come together – not only retailers, but manufacturers, distributors, installers and members of the related service industries – for information and ideas that will create a stronger business future.”

Hill plans to emphasize the strengths of the organization to expand membership during his term in office. “Our members benefit from access to unbiased information on everything from new installation techniques and creative problem solving, to the latest consumer behavior marketing research. Our certification program enables members who qualify by taking a test to call themselves “WFCA-certified flooring experts,” thus giving them a distinction in the marketplace.”

Hill is the founder and Chairman of Floor Covering Associates, Inc., a Midwest-based group of businesses which include a chain of floor covering centers, a home furnishings and design center, and the nationwide FCA Network of stores that run from New Jersey to New Mexico. He is a national leader in the industry, who also serves on the board of the National Floorcovering Alliance (NFA). Hill has been the recipient of numerous industry awards, including the Chicago Floorcovering Association’s “Retailer of the Year.”

Born and raised in northern California, Hill is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley. He began his career in floor covering with his first job, as a mill contract salesman in San Francisco. He has four children, Vicki and Miranda Hill and Jonathan and Alison Flaum. He and his wife, Thea, live in Chicago.

In addition to Bob Hill taking over as Chairman of the Board of Directors, there are some additional changes in the leadership of the WFCA, effective July 1. Hill replaces Aaron Pirner, CFE, CEO of Cap Carpet Inc., Wichita, KS who automatically becomes Immediate Past-Chairman of the Board replacing David Alton, CFE, President, DCA Enterprises, Inc., Portola, CA.

At the Spring Board Meeting in Washington, DC, the Directors of the 3000-plus member Association also elected Donny Phillips, CFE, President, Atlanta Flooring Design Center, Duluth, GA as Chairman-Elect; Brooks Mancini, CFE, President, B. T. Mancini, Inc., Reno, NV as Chief Financial Officer; and Jeri Pischke, CFE, Vice President, Home Valu Interiors, Fridley, MN as Corporate Secretary. In addition, two new Vice Chairmen were elected to serve with these individuals on the Executive Committee: Sam O’Krent, CFE, President, O’Krent’s Abbey Flooring Center, San Antonio, TX and Frederick Schmidt, President, Century Tile and Carpet, Lombard, IL.

Chris Davis continues as President and Chief Executive Officer of the association, a post he has held since 1994.

World Floor Covering Association
Board of Directors Term Designations

The following Directors have been re-elected to three-year terms effective July 1, 2006. They are:

The following Directors continue on the Board and are serving three-year terms ending 6/30/2008:

The following Directors continue on the Board and are serving three-year terms ending 6/30/07:

The World Floor Covering Association is committed to providing its members and industry partners leadership and resources that will raise the level of professionalism, increase industry profitability and enhance consumer satisfaction. Through its efforts, the WFCA strives to advance the industry by sponsoring professional development and certification programs, and the industry’s largest floor covering trade show, Surfaces. In addition, to these activities, the WFCA influences the development and content of legislation and public policy affecting floor covering retailers and the consumer. The WFCA has over 3000 member firms and is headquartered in Anaheim, CA.