CRI Elects New Board at Annual Meeting, Yarbrough Wins Smrekar Award

Dalton, GA, November 15, 2023-The CRI annual meeting was held this morning in Dalton, Georgia, marking Russ DeLozier’s first as president.

The group reported that its budget will decline 7% in 2024 versus 2023; budget reductions will be made on strategic initiatives, while the amount spent on extended producer responsibility and CARE will increase.

As of today, Tom Pendley of Mannington becomes past chair on the board of directors while Mohawk’s Curt Hutchins takes over as chairman. Tim Baucom of Shaw is vice chairman; Russ DeLozier is CRI president. Becky Boley of Shaw is treasurer, and Carey Ashcraft of CRI is secretary. Additional board of director members are Jay Brown, Bentley;nDan Frierson, Dixie; Bob Shaw, Engineered Floors; Tom Pendley, Mannington; Patrick Keese, Milliken; Curt Hutchins, Mohawk; Tim Baucom, Shaw; and Eric Daliere, Tarkett NA.

Associate manufacturer seats are held by Chip Howalt, Textile Rubber and Chemical; Franco Rossi, Aquafil USA; and Marc Ammen, Universal Fibers.

At today’s meeting, the 2023 Smrekar Memorial Award was presented to Joe Yarbrough, former president of CRI.

In addition, the group presented a revised mission statement.

New mission: The mission of The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) is to educate customers and consumers, help advance technical initiatives, and advocate on behalf of the carpet manufacturing industry. This work is informed by science and guided by our commitment to integrity in everything we do.

Former mission: At CRI, our purpose is to educate consumers, commercial stakeholders and the industry about carpet and rugs. From health benefits and environmental efforts to trends and advice, we are here to inform our members and their customers. CRI initiatives protect air quality, carpet’s lifespan and lead to smarter buying decisions on cleaners and equipment. We’re proud to be the foremost source for carpet information-based on fact and science, guided by principle.

Marking its 25th year, the Joseph J. Smrekar Memorial Award was established in 1998 by Milliken and Company to honor the late Dr. Joseph Smrekar, a longtime industry professional who set the standard for service to the CRI and the carpet industry.

Pic, L to R: Russ Delozier, CRI president; Joe Yarbrough; Jake Smrekar, Milliken (Dr. Joseph Smrekar's son); Tom Pendley, president & CEO Mannington and CRI board chair

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