Common Wood Floor Problems & Wood Science with Howard Brickman

In This Podcast Episode

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.

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.

Brickman is a charter member of the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) and member of the NWFA Technical Committee. He has been awarded NWFA Craftsman, Master Craftsman, and Vanguard degrees, and was the winner of the “Floor of the Year” contest in 2000. He is also a certified NWFA Wood Floor Inspector, and has made several appearances on Bob Vila’s “Home Again” as a technical consultant. .

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.

The World Floor Covering Association with Chris Davis, President & CEO

In This Podcast Episode

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.

More About Chris Davis and the WFCA

D. Christopher Davis is currently President and Chief Executive Officer of the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), responsible for the entire scope of operations for the organization including overseeing legislative, educational and membership programs and developing strategic initiatives to represent the industry. Davis became CEO of Western Floor Covering Association in August 1994. He implemented the merger of that organization with the American Floorcovering Association (AFA) in January 1995 that led to the creation of the World Floor Covering Association.

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.

Responsible Building Practices with Erik Listou

In This Podcast Episode

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.

More About Erik Listou and Build Responsible

Erik Listou, host of Build Responsible, is conscious of both the environment and his community. He has been actively involved with Habitat for Humanity, as well as local chambers of commerce and schools, and he is also involved in many professional organizations, including the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver, and the Remodelers Council of Metro Denver. In addition, he is a certified Aging-in-Place Specialist as well as a certified Graduate Remodeler.

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.