Focus on Leadership: Patrick Warren entered the flooring industry by fluke but has become a popular leader over the last 30 years – Nov 2025

Patrick grew up in Connecticut, earning his BA in business at New York’s Hartwick College and his MBA at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Lally School of Management, also in New York. A lover of learning, he has continued pursuing education throughout his career.

Patrick and his wife Becky share three adult children: Jamie, whose wife Cori works in Daltile’s Chicago design studio; Libby; and Ella. 

Q: Your career path took you from undergrad to financial consulting with Morgan Stanley, back to school for an MBA and then on to Milliken. Take us through those early years.

A: In 1991, I graduated from Hartwick College and decided to become a financial consultant with Morgan Stanley, following a senior-year internship. After two years and wanting more, I returned home to Connecticut to start business school and earn my MBA.

After reading an article about the vast number of unused grant dollars, I decided to try to find available grants to study in Australia. I wrote a grant-seeking letter and faxed it to a long list of grant clearinghouses across the country. 

Soon after, I received a call from a fast-talking gentlemen named Richie Harris, who told me he could assist. He began to help me get some interview experience, which seemed logical. After a few discussions, he called to ask me about my interest in the carpet industry, specifically Milliken carpet. I asked him “What about the grants?” He was silent for a moment and then asked, “What are you talking about? I am a sales recruiter for the flooring industry.”

I went back to my faxes and sure enough, I had sent my grant letter to the wrong fax number. I was off by just one digit!

I went to the interview at Milliken and got a job-starting my amazing lifelong career in the flooring business-all because of one wrong digit! 

Q: You spent eight years at Milliken back when the company was focused on training leaders. Tell us about that experience. 

A: Milliken created my business foundation. New hires went through a seven-week leadership training program that included everything from business overview, critical thinking to manners and how to handle yourself as a leader in unexpected situations. At the time, we were required to attend 40 hours of education at Milliken University annually. Amazing!

I was fortunate to have had exposure to Mr. Milliken and learned each time I did. He was an amazing human, who could recall details from previous conversations from years ago. 

Q: What drove you to leave Milliken for Columbia Forest Products? 

A: I have always believed it’s better to have the mindset of going somewhere (new) as opposed to leaving somewhere (old); this outlook creates positive brain chemistry. I had eight amazing years at Milliken, but hardwood was booming, and David Wootton offered me an opportunity to expand.  

Q: Columbia was sold to Mohawk, where you spent nine years in middle management before leaving for Emser. What were a few of your proudest accomplishments in that era?

A: That was an interesting time because it was my first transition following a corporate sale, and, for some reason, I had full faith in everyone and was never worried, despite the fact that others were. What’s amazing is that it was Paul De Cock’s Unilin division at Mohawk that acquired Columbia, and they were also an OEM supplier to us.

Just before the Columbia’s acquisition in 2007, we were competing in a full laminate product line review at Menards, and we went in with our Laura Ashley brand, which we had just licensed. Menards loved it. The win was that we were buying our laminate flooring from Mohawk to then resell to Menards, and we beat Mohawk as a vendor in the line review, though they were making our product. It was amazing, and our best presentation ever!

Q: After four years working for Emser, a family-run company, you were recruited by Daltile. What was the attraction? What did your wife, Becky, think about that move? 

A: Daltile was a dream role and an opportunity to join an established industry leader, led by many people I knew and respected. Becky, always the supporter, was all-in, as I was coming “home” to a Mohawk-owned entity.

Q: Tell us about your mentors, and what they taught you?

A: I should break this answer into two parts: “people who influenced my direction” and “people who mentored me” along the way.

As an influencer, Erna McReynolds at Morgan Stanley taught me the art of personalized connection with people, specifically through handwritten notes, which are my signature.

And David Wootton embedded in me the need to be detailed and specific with my approach to business and customers.

As a mentor, Phil Koufidakis of Baker Bros. and Charlie Alpert of Art Guild always bring me a candid, passionate and needed perspective, whether it’s wanted or not.

And Bob Leahy, Scott Maslowski, Matt Kahny, all with Dal-Tile, have played unique roles in building different aspects of my overall leadership style and approach. Bob offers neverending positivity and helped me develop to be an influence-leader. Scott offered support and guidance through the good and bad situations. And Matt inspired me with his high expectations and drive for new agility and success.

Q: What character traits do you look for in people when adding to your team? 

A: I look for their drive and ambition, experience and willingness to grow, and those who can easily engage with people and customers.

Q: Tell us about an ‘aha’ moment, where you figured out the best way to succeed in business?

A: It was in seventh grade on a soccer team. I was a pretty skinny kid, wore glasses, which enticed some bullying, and was just an okay player. After one game where I played poorly, my coach yelled at me in front of everyone, saying that he needed to see “the real Patrick at the next game.” I wanted to crawl in a hole. 

But at the next game, I went all-in and shut every player down from the other team. At the end of the game, Coach MacKusic said to the whole team, “I will take hustle all day over skill, and that is what Patrick did today. Here is the game ball!” Wow! I realized hustle could get me wherever I wanted to go!

I also need to give a shout-out to my dad, who was an amazing business and sales personality who instilled two key things with me. First, always know how to spend money on a customer. Second, always know where you are. This is about more than location. It’s about knowing where you are in relation to others in the room, in leadership and in competition.

Q: With over 11,000 followers on LinkedIn, it is clear you understand the value of relationships. What is the secret to your ability to nurture relationships?

A: Relationships are everything to me and staying connected as much as possible is important. I am a big birthday celebrator, and if I know your birthday, you will always get an early-morning text on your big day!

Q: What did you learn as social director in your college fraternity that you still use today?

A: A successful event has three key ingredients: good music, great food and beverages, and a theme to tie it all together!

Q: You’ve worn many hats in your career. Which part of business do you enjoy the most?

A: I have been fortunate to work in many different parts of business, which helped me immensely. Of all that I have been blessed to do, leading sales strategy is by far my favorite and my sweet spot. Looking ahead a few years and pulling-pushing the organization is like nothing else for me! 

Q: You and Becky have three children. How have you balanced your career with your personal life?

A: One answer: Becky. She is beyond supportive, allowing me to do what I needed to do while grounding me when needed.

Q: What advice do you give your children about finding success? 

A: We talk about it a lot, and my message is always the same: find the path you love, be good at it with hard work and effort, and let things happen as they will. Good things happen to good people-always!  

I end each family holiday, birthday, celebration toast with three statements: Know where you came from. Nothing is more important than family. Whatever you do, be extraordinary. 

Q: What do you do for fun when you’re not focused on growing Daltile’s business?  

A: Balance is everything. I have always heard that, but as time goes on, it has become more important to me. Work is critical, of course, but I try to keep my mind, body and spirit in check.  

In 2024, I joined my family in conversion to Catholicism. While I thought it would be simply ceremonial, it has become something far more meaningful to me and our entire family. I also have a great love for golf. n