The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) has announced the late Michael Faust and QFloors founder Chad Ogden as co-recipients of the Tom Jennings Champion Award for outstanding achievements in the retail sector. The award, named after industry legend Tom Jennings, recognizes Faust and Ogden for their exceptional service, positive attitude, and commitment to customers and community.
With more than 45 years dedicated to the industry, Faust, founder of Carpeting by Mike, left an enduring impact on customers, communities and the flooring profession. His flooring career began at 22; while working the night shift as a garbage man, he observed a team installing floors, offered to help, and founded Faust Carpet Center in New Richmond, Wisc., six months later.
After selling the business three years later, he transformed his house into a workspace and continued to work as an installer while raising his three girls. In 2004, Carpeting by Mike in Somerset, Wis., emerged as the next chapter in Faust’s business.
Faust was known for his passion in aiding others. He traveled to Peru, Guatemala, The Dominican Republic and Greece, teaching his trade and making a positive impact. Locally, dedicated his time and resources to support neighboring communities, including building places of worship and remodeling homes for those in need.
Following his passing, his daughter Typhannie Harker took on the responsibility of continuing her father’s legacy as the new owner of Carpeting by Mike in 2018. Reflecting on her father’s journey, she emphasized, “Caring, in my opinion, stands as the foremost reason for his success—his genuine concern for the customer, his care for friends and family, and his dedication to maintaining a sterling reputation shaped him into the remarkable individual he was.”
“Carpeting by Mike is one of the stellar retailers in our industry, and it has been an honor and a privilege to partner with them through the past four decades,” remarked Jeff Lorberbaum, Mohawk chairman and CEO. “Mike’s unwavering dedication to excellence in the flooring industry has left an indelible mark through his commitment to the highest professional standards, customer satisfaction and product knowledge. His legacy lives on through the continued success and commitment to excellence demonstrated by Typhannie and the entire Carpeting by Mike team.”
Chad Ogden established his flooring software company QFloors in 1999, propelling it to the forefront of the industry. From his early days contributing to his father’s flooring stores at the age of 12 alongside his brother Trent, Ogden’s journey evolved from handling warehouse tasks to delivering furniture and measuring homes for flooring projects.
Ogden’s fascination with computers led him to pursue a degree in Computer Engineering, marking the beginning of a successful decade in the tech field. After achieving the position of director of engineering at a mass spectrometer firm, Ogden returned to the flooring industry with a mission to revolutionize flooring software.
Dissatisfied with the lack of progress in the field, he conceptualized QFloors overnight and developed the software in a few months. The software’s first installation in an Ogden store marked the commencement of QFloors’ journey as a transformative tool in the flooring industry. This success prompted QFloors to offer the software to other dealers, leading to the prestigious “Best of Surfaces” award for technology at the 2013 Surfaces Expo in Las Vegas.
According to employee Jim Love, “Chad wears his passion, desire and willingness to help on his sleeve. QFloors is the company it is today because every employee works hard for Chad and what he has built. There’s undeniable respect for him, not just as the owner but the person he is.”
Beyond his professional achievements, Odgen is a committed family man. Ogden’s involvement as a member of fcb2b, serving in leadership roles throughout the years, further highlights his commitment to the industry.
Scott Humphrey, CEO of WFCA, noted: “The Tom Jennings Champion Award celebrates individuals like Michael Faust and Chad Ogden who exemplify the values and commitment to excellence that are at the core of our organization’s mission.”
The award ceremony, where Typhannie Harker will graciously accept the honor on behalf of her father, is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Jan. 24 in WFCA booth #2413 during The International Surface Event (TISE).
