“February 2021 — Challenging times require exceptional leadership, and 2020 showed just how critical that can be. Across the country, young men and women in the flooring industry were rising to the challenge, from establishing safety protocols for staff amid a pandemic to helping their communities’ most vulnerable populations, and their creative and thoughtful solutions drew the attention of colleagues and peers.

Each year, the Emerging Leaders Awards recognizes the outstanding talent of people under 40 like these within the dealer/retailer/contractor sector. And this year saw the largest pool of submissions in the award’s history, which was judged by field veterans Ralph Boe and Paul Friederichsen. Among the winners are a president, vice presidents, managers and directors, all of whom are bringing new perspectives and fresh ideas to the flooring world and shaping the future of the industry.

This year’s winners are as follows:

Jessica Hansen, 34 – Workplace Services, sales and finance manager;

Tyson Merchand, 36 – Great Floors, Spokane commercial division manager;

Matt Bode, 31 – CB Flooring, vice president;

Christian Braid, 39 – Prairie Flooring, co-founder;

Mechelle DeScroches, 37 – Pavillion Floors, director of operations;

Jake Peterson, 36 – Albany Carpet One, store manager;

Palmer Johnson, 35 – Johnson Floor and Home Carpet One, vice president

Andrew Marden, 35 – CFS Interiors and Flooring, account manager;

Victoria Turkich, 26 – Universal Metro, Estimation Lead

• Earned a bachelor’s degree in construction management from California Baptist University
• Has worked at Universal Metro for nearly 12 years, having started when she was in high school as an executive assistant
• Has supported tens of millions of dollars in successful bid-ding efforts
• Developed new standard operating procedures for her team, including a communal bid calendar, a project backlog data entry system and the standardization of estimation resources
• Supports business development and specification efforts and researching customized solutions with vendor partners

Erin Wyatt, 38 – Paradise Carpet One Floor and Home, director of sales ”

To read the article, honoring Victoria and other winners, see more here: https://www.floordaily.net/floorfocus/2021-emerging-leaders-young-professionals-are-making-a-big-difference-in-the-flooring-commun

It’s worth noting that in 2017, Universal Metro’s President, Grant Petruzzelli, also won this notable award.  Victoria’s win marks the second time that a Universal Metro staff member under 40 years of age has been recognized for their leadership in the flooring industry by Floor Focus Magazine.

UNIQUE INSTALLATION CHALLENGE STRATEGY

It’s rare to install carpet tile on anything other than a floor. But, when we were asked to extend an artist’s prized work beyond the canvas, onto a floor and three adjoining walls, we were embarking on a unique and challenging installation experience. In collaboration with Milliken’s team, the artist’s custom carpet tile design was drawn in a 3D model, showcasing a possible layout of the artwork and each carpet tile. Each tile was numbered to ensure proper placement in the field. The gallery where this installation would take place served as a swing space for many exhibiting artists. Each artist was required to leave the space as they found it, maintaining the integrity of drywall, paint, and floors over the month or so that their artwork was on display. One exhibit’s closure was quickly followed by another artist’s grand opening, and thus, this installation had to be stable enough for explorative touching (as art spectators examine the fuzzy texture on the walls and take selfies alongside of it) and resistant to heavy foot traffic and trip-and-fall hazards. These standards had to be met without the use of any adhesive, as the facility didn’t want to inherit residue or clean up post-exhibit on their floors, nor the replacement of any drywall and paint to follow. The primary showpiece would be installed over an interior wall framed by two inside corners, but the adjoining walls extended to the exhibit’s large open space, creating two challenging outside corners for our installation team to navigate. Due to the gallery’s restrictions, we couldn’t frame the carpet tile with traditional transitions or structural elements, as they could affect how the space was left after the exhibit ended. With no adhesive in play, we were forced to tack, staple, and pin each carpet tile to the wall, mindful of the design, levelness, and the artwork that would hang over it. On the floor, the carpet tile had to be loose laid, framed only by a reducer on one side, attached only with double-faced tape. With the concept for design in place, we collaborated with multiple parties to gain access to the space. Once the prior exhibit closed its doors, we had to coordinate carpet tile delivery amidst the crowded art district’s streets, and align schedules with the artist himself, as our installation mechanics had to bring the artist’s vision to life. Our team became the paintbrushes the artist would orchestrate to expand his masterpiece beyond its original canvas. The end result was just as the artist had envisioned it. Prior to the exhibit’s opening, the artist’s primary showpiece sold and the new art piece’s owner had one special request, “how can I get my hands on the carpet tile that accented the work of art so well?”.

For the complete write up of this Starnet Design Award submission, see https://designawards.starnetflooring.com/gallery/entry/?entry_id=1109.

The complexity of this project was rooted in OSHPD requirements, intricate designs, inherent moisture conditions, and phased scheduling that allowed an acute care facility to remain open and operational during nearly two years of construction.

We’re humbled and gracious for the recognition we received and the opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding work of our team. Additionally, we’re grateful for the Vendor Partnerships that helped us execute this work and the design executed by c|a Architects of Long Beach, CA.

PROJECT STRATEGY

A new Cath Lab Suite at Placentia-Linda Hospital is part of a comprehensive plan and ongoing investment to continue its legacy and mission. c|a ARCHITECTS reworked an existing admin area to create a spacious, family-friendly waiting area, an efficient Cath Lab with two holding/PACU beds, four additional PACU beds in an adjacent space, and updated staff spaces. The new suite offers a warm finish palette that reinforces the hospital’s existing interior standards. In the reception and waiting area, cool tones and soothing, nature inspired patterns and textures add energy and visual interest with a nourishment bar and variety of seating options to support the comfort and needs of waiting family members. The design team collaborated with the hospital and GE Healthcare for the extensive planning of the Cath Lab. Versatile storage on the perimeter with adjustable peg boards for catheters create an efficient workspace within the new lab.

UNIQUE INSTALLATION CHALLENGE STRATEGY

Working in occupied hospitals is challenging on its face, but in the state of California, the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development has created an even higher (and costlier) threshold for execution, maintaining some of the highest building and safety standards in the world. The complexity of this OSHPD project was made even more unique, based on intricate designs and a nearly two-year construction schedule that would require maintenance of singular dye-lots over at least six phases. If that wasn’t enough, our past experience at this facility required us to consider the complexity of their inherent moisture issues – those requiring customized solutions and unique skillsets. Pre-construction required our team to engage ARDEX’s Technicians and their Technical Service Division to ensure we could customize a moisture control solution adequate enough to address high RH levels, seismic cracks, wide cold joints, and a long-term warranty requirement. With ARDEX’s help, we created a customized specification, complete with shot blasting, two applications of ARDEX MC Rapid (both with sand broadcasts), and self leveling with ARDEX K10 at a depth of 1/4″. Based on our certification as an ARDEX LevelMaster Elite Installer, we were able to extend the warranty an additional 5 years beyond the standard limited warranty. From the start, the end user made it clear the need to prioritize patient care. Egress concerns forced the need for tight workspaces, creating a more intense need to maintain high standards of infection control. With negative air containments in place, complete with HEPA filters, our crews navigated small work environments on one side of the plastic, while procedures were conducted on the other side. Designs were cut in with the foresight to envision where that same design would need to be finished when the other containment was lifted and a new phase commenced. With multiple trades vying for the same space, our project managers had to be proactive, ensuring our crews had enough time to execute both a moisture control system as well as a resilient finish needs in each of the six planned phases. What we couldn’t plan for was the three slab leaks experienced by the end user during construction. Worst yet, all three came after we performed our installation. After reinstalling the moisture control system over newly poured concrete trenches, our team jumped through hoops to identify how overage and attic stock from those previously installed areas could be stretched to alleviate unsightly patching. Our ability to do so was a testament to our team’s product management abilities.

For the complete write up of this award winning submission, see https://designawards.starnetflooring.com/gallery/entry/?entry_id=1040.

“From an intricate design of lizards and leaves in the elevator lobby to warm and residential-feeling luxury vinyl tile in the patient rooms, the Children’s Hospital of Orange County project was a real standout,” said Design Award Judge, Paul Lewandowski. “We’re glad to see it recognized by its peers.”

The 20th Annual Starnet® Design Awards were recently held in sunny Orlando, Florida. One of the most respected and influential commercial flooring design competitions in America, the awards ceremony is a major part of our organization’s spring meeting.

“This year’s winning projects are a testament to the power of collaboration and partnership in the floorcovering industry,” said Jeanne Matson, president and CEO of Starnet Worldwide Commercial Flooring Partnership. “The true value of Starnet is not only the finished work, but new and strengthened relationships that are driving our industry forward from a design and installation perspective.”

This is the second Gold Award that Universal Metro has received in the People’s Choice category (previously winning the same award in 2014), and the only category voted on by the flooring industry’s best floor covering dealers from the Starnet Commercial Flooring Partnership. “While it’s humbling to win a design award in any category,” said Grant Petruzzelli, President of Universal Metro, “it takes on a special meaning when your team’s commitment to excellence is validated by the vote of your peers.”

The project was also recognized as the Silver Award winner in the Healthcare market segment.

Excerpts taken from: http://www.starnetflooring.com/commercial-flooring-news/2018-design-awards/

We at Universal Metro are especially proud of our very own Director of Sales and Marketing, Grant Petruzzelli, who was among the eight Starnet members honored with this notable award.

The following Press Release was published at: http://www.starnetflooring.com/commercial-flooring-news/8-starnet-members-honored-floor-focus-future-leaders/

“Chattanooga, TN, January 24, 2017 — Floor Focus is pleased to announce the winners of its 2017 Young Professional Award, which, this year, focused on the retailer/contractor segment.

The award honors professionals, under the age of 40, who have proven themselves to be true leaders and help drive the industry forward.

Candidates must be nominated, and this year’s winners were announced at a cocktail event at Surfaces.

Judges for the 2017 competition were Ralph Boe, president of ArrowStar and past president of Beaulieu Group, and Paul Friederichsen, flooring industry marketing consultant, creative director and marketing strategist.

This year’s winners are as follows:

Justin Atcheson, president of Builders Floor Covering and Tile;

Steavie Cain, managing principal of Quality Service Floor Covering;

David DeGol Jr., division manager of DeGol Carpet;

Michelle Gibson, store manager of Lima Carpet Corporation;

Katie Krause, senior interior designer at H.J. Martin and Son;

Garrett Ulfig of Mastercraft Flooring;

Sage Parrish of Quality Floor Coverings;

Grant Petruzzelli, Director of Sales and Marketing at Universal Metro;

Jared Satler, owner of Dick’s Carpet One & Auburn Carpet One; and

David Webb, store manager at Dalton Carpet One. ”

http://www.floordaily.net/floorfocus/winners-of-2017-young-professional-award-announced

FKP Architects of Houston, TX embraced CHOC’s message, “The Future is Bright,” translating the hospital’s commitment to leadership in children’s health and well-being into a creative and capturing design. Floors throughout the renovated space included a series of colorful floor murals and several different flooring products from Starnet Preferred Vendor partners Armstrong Commercial Flooring, American Olean, ARDEX Americas, Daltile, Henry Adhesives, Mannington Resilient Floors, and Tandus Flooring. The precision water jet pieces in 35 different colors were part of a project that included installing over 50,000 sq.ft. with class III infection control processes to insure the safety of the patients in an active hospital setting.”