Mullican Established NWFA Scholarship Fund in Don Conner's Name

Johnson City, TN, August 28, 2023-In memory of James Donald “Don” Conner, Jr., a beloved hardwood flooring industry legend who passed away in October 2022, Mullican Flooring has established a National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) Education and Research Foundation (ERF) scholarship fund in his name.

Conner, a 44-year veteran of the wood flooring industry, retired in 2013. He was introduced to the industry at the age of eight, when he began working with his father in the family business, Conner Tile & Floor Covering Company, in his native Oklahoma. He served in the U.S. Air Force, which included a tour in Vietnam, and received numerous decorations and citations for his service. After his military career, he attended college and rejoined his father’s business before co-founding his own floorcovering company.

After working as vice president of research and development for Harris Tarkett, Conner joined Mullican Flooring as director of product and research, where he also served as director of training and national sales representative.

Conner was heavily involved with the NWFA, where he helped develop technical manuals and guidelines, and served as an instructor at the NWFA/NOFMA/MFMA schools and on the board of directors. He also established the NWFA Certified Professionals (NWFACP) program and earned several NWFA degrees, including craftsman, master craftsman, advanced master craftsman, vanguard and ambassador.

Conner retired from his role as NWFA technical director in 2013, one year after receiving the Industry Leadership Award at the NWFA Wood Flooring Expo, something only ten other individuals had achieved before him. In addition, he was given honorary lifetime membership and certification upon his retirement.