CRI President Yarbrough Goes to Washington

Dalton, GA, Oct. 3, 2014 -- Carpet and Rug Institute President Joe W. Yarbrough traveled to Washington, D.C. Sept. 17-18 for two days of back-to-back meetings with congressional representatives and the presidents of two allied trade associations.

Though active in government relations for many years on behalf of his former employer, Mohawk Industries, Yarbrough said the recent trip was notable as his first opportunity to meet with congressional representatives on behalf of the entire CRI membership.

Yarbrough retired from Mohawk in March of 2014 as senior vice president for advanced manufacturing engineering.

During his visit, Yarbrough met with Georgia Sen. Johnny Isakson and 10 current and former congressmen from Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee, as well as several key congressional staff members.

In addition to his congressional activities, Yarbrough held separate meetings with counterparts Paul O’Day and Joseph McGuire, presidents of the American Fiber Manufacturers Association (AFMA) and the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), respectively, to discuss issues those associations have in common with CRI.

“To help ensure a strong industry going forward, one role of the Carpet and Rug Institute is to maintain close relationships with our congressional leaders and inform them of the impact that laws and regulations have on this industry,” Yarbrough said.

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