Dalton—The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) held its annual membership meeting here recently, highlighted by the presentation of the Joseph J. Smrekar Memorial Award. This year, for the first time, there was a tie in the voting for the award resulting in two winners: Eric Nelson of Interface and Russ DeLozier of J&J Flooring Group.
Nelson is vice president of strategic alliances for Interface Americas, has 15 years experience in the fibers/carpet manufacturing industries and serves on CRI’s Strategic Issues Leadership Council. He is a member of the Caprolactam Advocacy, Landfill and NSF-140 Task Groups and is active in the Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE).
Delozier is director of sustainability for J&J Flooring Group and oversees all aspects of the company’s corporate sustainability. He serves on CRI’s EPR Panel, and, like Nelson, serves on the CARE Panel, Landfill and NSF-140 Task Groups. He is also the longest serving carpet mill representative on the CARE board.
“CRI is as strong as its volunteers,” said CRI president Werner Braun. “The carpet industry represents an incredible depth and breadth of talented people. In Eric and Russ, you see two of the best. CRI is blessed by their energy and support.”
Also at the meeting, CRI chairman David Jolly recognized incoming board members Marc Ammen, Universal Fibers; Andrea Greenleaf, Royalty Mills; Karel Vercruyssen, Beaulieu Group and treasurer Jim Kirkpatrick, Shaw Industries. He thanked those officers whose terms were ending, including Ralph Boe, Beaulieu Group; Jack Ganley, Mannington Carpets; Franco Rossi, Aquafil and treasurer Del Land, Beaulieu Group.