Floor guy, Rob McNealy interviews Dean Bennett, president of Dean Bennett Design and Construction, Inc., a Colorado based design and build firm.  They discuss eco-friendly design and green building.

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Dean Bennett’s Bio

Dean Bennett is president of Dean Bennett Design and Construction, Inc., a design/build firm based in Castle Rock, Colo. Specializing in custom residential design and construction, projects include remodeling, interior and exterior additions, conversions, basement finishes, landscaping and fencing, and custom finish carpentry.

Bennett has worked with a national client base, many who span multiple years, since 1996. He holds Master of Architecture and Bachelor of Environmental Design degrees from the University of Colorado.

Floor guy, Rob McNealy interviews Neil Staples of Black Bear Inspections a company which specializes in indoor air quality including radon, lead and asbestos. They discuss issues and hazards that homeowners should be aware of when remodeling their home, including keeping their children safe from lead based paint.

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Neil Staples’ Bio

Mr. Staples has a background of 20 plus years in construction, building maintenance, and inspection industries.

Black Bear Inspections, Inc. is an environmental inspection company specializing in Indoor Air Quality issues, with it’s primary focus on Lead Based Paint (LBP), Asbestos, Mold, Radon, and Clandestine Meth Lab inspections on residential, commercial and government properties in Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico.

Floor guy, Rob McNealy, interviews Tim Carter, a nationally syndicated newspaper columnist and owner of the popular Ask The Builder website. Rob and Tim discuss how Tim made the transition from actually doing construction to writing and educating consumers about it.

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Tim Carter’s Bio

While Tim Carter now has a prominent media career, he got his start in construction after fixing up and flipping his own first home shortly after graduating from college. He spent nearly 20 years working full time in construction, and uses this first hand knowledge to provide consumers with accurate information about home remodeling and repair projects.

Floor guy, Rob McNealy, interviews Wyatt Kilmartin who is RIDGID’s branding director. They discuss the breadth of power tools RIDGID offers for both flooring and other applications, and they specifically discuss the advantages of using RIDGID’s tile saw to help you get your flooring project done right!

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More About Wyatt Kilmartin and RIDGID

Wyatt Kilmartin is the director of RIDGID branding at Emerson. Prior to holding this position he was a strategic planner at Emerson Tools & Storage.

Since 1923, RIDGID has been a symbol of certainty to people in the construction trades. The Ridge Tool Company takes this heritage seriously. Because of this, every tool that bears the RIDGID brand is engineered to the same high standards of quality, strength, and endurance as the first heavy-duty pipe wrench introduced more than 80 years ago.

Floor guy, Rob McNealy, interviews Brad van Unen, who is the Marketing Director of EcoTimber. Ecotimber is a company which specializes in supplying wood flooring products from environmentally sound sources. They discuss trends in eco-friendly flooring, as well as specific issues related to bamboo flooring. They also talk about FSC certification.

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More on About Brad van Unen and EcoTimber

Brad van Unen has been with EcoTimber since 2000, when he was brought on as the Sales Coordinator. Over the years, he has served, oftentimes concurrently, as a sales representative, IT manager, purchasing manager, database developer, graphic designer, and forklift driver.

As Marketing Director, Brad is now focused on managing EcoTimber’s brand development, public relations, our web site, and marketing collateral. He lives in Oakland, where he enjoys kayaking, hiking, his piano, and Sudoku puzzles. His enthusiasm for travel often takes him to Mississippi, where he hopes to bicycle the entire Natchez Trace soon.

Floor guy, Rob McNealy, interviews Howard Brickman of Brickman Consulting, a company that provides custom wood flooring installations as well as consulting and inspection services related to wood flooring problems. They discuss some of the science behind wood flooring problems, as well as certified wood flooring inspection.

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More on About Howard Brickman and Brickman Consulting

Brickman Consulting was founded by Howard Brickman in 1984 with goal of providing expert level advice concerning wood flooring manufacture, storage, installation, finishing and proper job site conditions that is firmly based in scientific fact. Brickman has over twenty-five years of experience in wood flooring contracting and a comprehensive graduate level academic background in wood science and building materials technology.

After serving in the United States Air Force from 1971 to 1977, he got his start in the flooring industry with a job working for the National Oak Flooring Manufacturers Association (NOFMA) as the Manager of Inspection and School Services. From 1981 until 1983, Brickman was employed as a sales representative for R.J. Stalker, inc., a Boston area flooring distributor. He subsequently served as general manager for Glitsa American in Seattle, WA until 1984, when he establish Brickman Wood Floors (later Brickman Consulting), a full service hardwood flooring contracting and consulting firm.

Floor guy, Rob McNealy, interviews Chris David, President and CEO of the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) about the mission of the WFCA. They discuss WFCA involvement in legislative efforts and in developing regulations involving green flooring products that benefit both consumers and retailers.

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More About Chris Davis and the WFCA

Between 1995 to 2000, Davis oversaw all aspects of Surfaces®, the premier tradeshow marketplace for floor covering and other surfaces materials and supplies, held annually in Las Vegas , NV . During that period, Surfaces® grew to be ranked one of the top 50 largest tradeshows in the world, according to Tradeshow Week. Davis negotiated the sale of Surfaces® to Hanley-Wood Exhibitions in January 2000 for $40+ million while retaining WFCA sponsorship rights to the trade show for a minimum of 25 years.

Davis has over thirty years executive level experience in association management, community promotion and destination marketing, including management of convention/trade show sales promotion agencies,
facilities and programs. He served as president and chief executive officer of convention and visitors bureaus in multiple cities, and prior to that, he was communications director for the Oakland Chamber of Commerce (1973-78), was an independent commercial photographer (1970-78) and worked for ABC News (1970).

Davis is also President and CEO of WFCA Services, Inc., the for-profit, independent subsidiary of the World Floor Covering Association. WFCA Services, Inc. operates an insurance company which offers workers’ compensation insurance in California. Davis is President and is the former Chairman of the Board of the Floor Covering Industry Foundation (FCIF), a charitable organization dedicated to assisting members of the floor covering field who experience catastrophic illnesses or severe disabilities with which they cannot financially cope.

The World Floor Covering Association, official sponsor of Surfaces^TM, is the floor covering industry’s largest advocacy organization representing flooring retailers, contractors and allied service providers throughout North America. The WFCA is a leader in marketing research and industry certification programs. The WFCA also influences public policy affecting the floor covering industry and consumers.

Floor guy, Rob McNealy, interviews Erik Listou, an expert in sustainable building and host of the radio talk show Build Responsible with Erik which airs on 630 KHOW in the Denver market. Rob and Erik discuss energy, environmental and safety considerations in home construction and remodeling.

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More About Erik Listou and Build Responsible

Erik shares his knowledge about responsible and sustainable building practices in his radio show, Build Responsible with Erik. The show’s mission is to help consumers and industry make responsible building decisions focusing on green, energy sustainability and accessibility.

Floor guy, Rob McNealy, interviews Tile Outlet Always in Stock® Founder and President Doug Disney, along with Vice President Chris Nezbeth about their unique business model. Tile Outlet Always in Stock® stores have at least 50 products in stock and ready to go, to help homeowners get projects done quickly, and products that need to be ordered come from local distributors in an average of three days.

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More About Doug Disney and Tile Outlet Always in Stock®

As a 19-year-old, Doug Disney started his own business called Yachtin’ America, in which boat owners across the country agree to swap boats while on vacation, similar to popular home exchange programs. Then, he got started in the tile industry, and there was no doubt he had the drive and desire to succeed on his own. He just needed some direction.

“I read the book in two days,” Disney said. “It made me realize that I already had a great concept, but that franchising was a much better alternative for growing than opening my own stores. As soon as I
finished the book I called an attorney to get started.”

Disney put the lessons he learned to good use when he began franchising in 2002. Today, Tile Outlet Always in Stock is not only one of the fastest-growing consumer goods franchises in the western United States,
but it is positioned for national growth, as well. Tile Outlet is the only franchised retail tile concept of its kind with 65 locations in eight western states. Thirty-three more locations are in development and expected to open within 12 to 18 months. Disney’s goal is to have 200 stores sold by the end of 2008.

Nothing derails the excitement surrounding a home improvement project faster than the seemingly inevitable delay in finding everything you need to get started. Tile Outlet Always in Stock® founder Doug Disney could literally feelthe pain of do-it-yourselfers during the dozen years he worked in the tile industry before taking matters into his own hands when he opened his first store in 2001.

“The biggest complaint from customers was that they would walk into a tile store, find a sample they like, order it and wait one to two weeks for it to come in,” Disney said. “And because each batch has a different
shade lot, the tile you picked out in the showroom could be slightly different than what you got a couple of weeks later.”

Tile Outlet makes matters immeasurably easier. Of the approximately 300 ceramic and porcelain tile and stone products on display at each store, more than 50 products are ready to go and the lead-time for ordered products from nearby distribution centers averages about three days.

Many other small discount tile stores are “special-order only” with lead times that typically stretch two or three weeks. The same can oftentimes be said for big-box home improvement retailers that also carry a limited amount of in-stock products.

“Each of our locations has a good selection of the basics,” Disney said. “If you walked into one of our stores today and needed tile for a project this weekend, they would have enough in stock for you to tile your floor.”

Besides an incredible array of ceramic and porcelain tile, stores carry a wide selection of slate, travertine, limestone, medallions and marble at savings of typically 20 percent compared to competitors because of Tile Outlet’s low-overhead, low-price concept. Top-selling prefabricated granite countertops offer savings of as much as 70 percent when compared to the cost of traditional installation. Tile Outlet also sells all the
necessary products, equipment and materials necessary for installation.

“We’re a one-stop shop,” Disney said. “We’re a very well-rounded tile retailer. We have inexpensive tile from 99 cents a square foot to glass tile that sells for $15 a square foot, as well as high-end granite products. You can find what you’re looking for whether you’re looking to inexpensively tile a laundry-room floor or choosing tile for a $5 million custom home.”

Tile Outlet also offers consumers more choices since many big-box retailers oftentimes carry products from only one supplier. “We have our own line of products, but we also have products from 20 other suppliers. From a consumer standpoint, it’s like being able to look at the products of 20 other companies at one time.” Disney also pointed out that product samples come from current stock, not a product lot that might have been produced last year, helping to ensure that customers’ purchases match their samples.

Prefabricated granite countertops are a top-seller simply because of the incredible savings they offer. Prefabricated granite is produced in smaller slabs and cut to a standard two-foot counter depth with a
finished edge already on it. Conversely, the fabrication costs alone to add a bullnose (finished edge) to customized granite countertops can cost about $50 per linear foot or $450 for a nine-foot counter.

Floor guy, Rob McNealy, interviews Chad Nordhagen, Director of Marketing & Product Management at BonaKemi about the company and their innovative products. They discuss how BonaKemi pioneered waterborne hardwood floor finishes, and a new hardwood floor mop which sprays a BonaKemi floor cleaner.

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More About Chad Nordhagen and BonaKemi

Chad Nordhagen joined BonaKemi in early 2006 as a marketing project developer and quickly moved into the position of finish product manager, where he was responsible for all wood floor finishing products, as well as activities for all market channels, including: new product introductions, promotions, line extensions and meeting the demands of the marketplace for these products.

Most recently, Nordhagen comes from Echostar Communications Corporation as promotions and communications manager, where he focused on sales lead generation, sales collateral support materials, trade shows, event marketing and retail sales.

Chad acquired his MBA from the University of Denver with a focus on E-Commerce Marketing and earned his BA in Business from Washington State University.

Since 1919, BonaKemi has provided professionals with premium quality finishing and cleaning products and systems developed to maintain the natural beauty of wood floors. With global headquarters in Malmö, Sweden and subsidiaries and distributors in over 50 countries, BonaKemi has led the industry worldwide with innovative, environmentally responsible solutions to a formerly hazardous and toxic process. The pioneer of waterborne finishes and dust containment in the industry, Bona provides the cleanest, most convenient and healthiest hardwood floor finishing process available.

The BonaKemi product line includes a trailer-mounted dust containment system, waterborne hardwood floor finishes, and floor care products, including the hardwood floor mop pictured here, which sprays a specially designed hardwood floor cleaner.

Floor guy, Rob McNealy interviews Eric Stromer, popular HGTV host, author and do-it-yourself expert, about his career in contracting, and how he got his start in the entertainment business. They also discuss his hit HGTV television show, Over Your Head .

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Eric Stromer’s Bio

What do you get when you mix construction, comedy and music? Chicago native Eric Stromer, host of the hit HGTV show Over Your Head, author of Do-It-Yourself Family, and one of People magazine’s “Sexiest Men Alive.”

Eric’s entertaining DIY advice and infectious personality have won the hearts of millions of viewers nationwide! He is a spokesman for SEARS/Craftsman Tools and can be heard regularly dishing out home improvement advice to listeners of Adam Carolla’s nationally syndicated radio show.

As the host of Over Your Head, one of HGTV’s top series, Eric comes to the rescue of homeowners who have tackled a home improvement project that failed miserably! Saving rooms, homes and potentially marriages, Eric and his team guide the homeowners’ projects to completion every week. You never know when one of Eric’s alter egos (such as knitting guru Granny Stromer) will show up to join in on the fun!

In 2007, Eric partnered with AOL and GMC to create Home Improvement with Eric Stromer, a series of web videos and interactive features that help viewers conquer their fears and tackle home repair projects themselves. The series of videos feature a wide range of projects such as hanging wallpaper and eco-friendly landscaping, and they are available for free on AOL’s Living channel.

Eric is also an accomplished author. His book, Do-It-Yourself Family, is a helpful guide for busy parents, with suggestions for home projects that will not only bring the family together but also buy some quality time for mom and dad. Published by Random House/Bantam Dell, it is available in stores nationwide! Eric also pens a monthly column, “Superhandy Dad,” for LA Parent magazine.

Born and raised in Evanston, Illinois, Eric grew up enjoying both sports and drama. He excelled in track and football and participated in local talent shows. His passion for the arts and an early break in commercials led him to enroll in the University of Colorado’s theater department where he lasted only one week. After realizing a structured curriculum in drama was not satisfying, he desperately tried to return home, but soon found himself on the next plane back. In order to financially survive, Eric found a niche in construction. Eric’s four years of painting and putting crown molding in just about every house in Colorado laid the foundation for his future career.

Upon graduation, Eric moved to Los Angeles and began remodeling houses. His eye for design, attention to detail, and great craftsmanship captured the attention of many A-list celebrities. In 1993, Eric started his own company, Big House Construction, which quickly flourished into a lucrative business. Eric has remodeled homes for celebrities including Dylan McDermott, Elijah Wood and Jasmine Guy.

Although his business is thriving, Eric has not given up his first love of entertaining. And it didn’t take long for Hollywood to come knocking on his door. He was even honored with the Best Comedy Short award at the Houston Film Festival for producing, scoring and starring in The Acting Thing, a comedy film that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Eric is also an accomplished singer/songwriter who has written and performed music for The Drew Carey Showtime Special, The Wild Side starring Christopher Walken, and numerous television shows. Eric is currently recording his debut full-length album with some of Nashville’s greatest musical talents.

A father to three, television host, construction extraordinaire and product spokesman keep this blonde hunk busy, but just ask Eric; there is nothing else he would rather do!

Be sure to tune in to watch Eric on Over Your Head on HGTV! See him save the day for American families that have undertaken home renovations that have turned into nightmares.

Floor guy, Rob McNealy, interviews Jeffrey Prager, the acting president of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) about ethics in building. Jeff is also the founder of the Front Range Chapter of NARI.

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Jeffrey Prager’s Bio

Jeffrey K. Prager is the President of Backroom Management Services. This company serves small to medium sized businesses and is designed to relieve some of the frustration and stress of running the financial side of a business. Backroom provides hands-on bookkeeping assistance using a proprietary web-based accounting system. In addition, the company offers the kind of guidance, financial interpretation and strategic planning associated with having a CFO in-house, but without the expense. A CPA with 36 years of experience, Prager also serves as a teacher of managerial economics (applying economic theory to business decisions) at the University of Colorado -Denver.

He authored courses called Business Planning (A Cookbook Approach to Writing a Business Plan), Monitoring Your Company’s Vital Signs (An Approach for Analyzing and Reacting to Conditions Impacting the Profitability of a Business), and Marketing Your Professional Services which were taught at various state societies of CPA’s.

Mr. Prager has taught courses on accounting, management and finance for the National Association of Homebuilders (HBA). He also assisted in writing the business section for the “Certified Remodeler” designation, which is a program run by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI).

Floor guy, Rob McNealy, interviews Rich Meyer of My Gym Floor about their innovative, home gym, interlocking virgin rubber flooring product that comes in three grades (including Olympic Grade), and can literally be taken with you.

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Rich Meyer’s Bio

He began with the parent company 20 years ago as Customer Service Manager and later served as Product Manager for Athletic Flooring Systems. Following that, Meyer was promoted to Commercial Sales Manager. Meyer currently develops new markets for the company’s product lines and is heading up the internet sales program for My Gym Floor.

So what’s the latest trend in home gyms? Floors! That’s right — having the right floor can make all the difference and protect you and your equipment. Thankfully there’s a company out there that makes finding the right floor simple. One look at www.mygymfloor.com and you’ll discover the secrets to finding the ideal floor. Whether it’s the kids playroom, exercise room or weight training area, there are several options to meet all budgets. Installation is easy, like putting together a puzzle! They started with commercial floors (arenas, gyms, health clubs, etc) but got more and more calls from consumers so they branched out and opened a consumer division.

Floor guy, Rob McNealy, interviews Becky Alexis of HIVE Architecture about sustainable flooring and LEEDS certified flooring projects. They also discuss factors that influence flooring choices from an architect’s perspective.

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Becky Alexis’ Bio

Becky knew that she wanted to contribute aesthetically to the built environment since she was fourteen years old. 1989 she graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture while working for Michael Barber Architecture in Denver. Then she took a year and a half to work and travel abroad. In 1998 she graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle with a Masters of Architecture, where she studied abroad for 10 months in England, France, Sweden, Norway and Finland. She then returned to her home town of Denver to find that residential architecture was her forte. She loves making special places for people to live. During eight wonderful years working with D. H. Ruggles and Associates as the Director of Design, she completed over 35 projects. In July of 2007 Becky started HIVE Architecture. She works out of her home and often visits sites by bicycle. She is passionate about design that is sensitive to the environment and to the pocket book. She believes that good design does not constitute higher building costs. Becky would love to help you remodel, add on, build new, or just chat about design. Feel free to call her at 303-733-2171.

Floor guy, Rob McNealy, interviews Lynn Williamson of StudioMetro about how interior design considerations impact flooring projects, and how flooring choices can impact overall design and aesthetics.

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Lynn Williamson’s Bio

Lynn Williamson is a Principal in StudioMetro, LLC, a Denver interior design firm. StudioMetro specializes in bringing the urban experience to their clients. They have pioneered the ‘Design Concept’ approach to their projects which gives the client flexibility to implement their design in the way that works best for them while providing the assurance of knowing that the fee for the ‘Design Concept’ is fixed.