CRI Honors Industry Members at Annual Meeting

DALTON, Ga.—December 4, 2020— At the CRI Annual Meeting, the Carpet and Rug Institute presented a report on industry activities, honored members for their service to the industry, and announced new members to the CRI Board of Directors. The meeting was held as a virtual event on November 11 due to COVID-19 concerns.

CRI Board Chairman and Shaw Industries’ CEO Vance Bell presented the 2020 Joseph J. Smrekar Memorial Award to Rick Hooper. The award was established by Milliken & Company in 1998 to honor the late Dr. Joe Smrekar who volunteered on many CRI committees. CRI staff members choose the recipient of the annual award.

David Wardlaw, David Repp, Russ Delozier, and Joe Foye were also recognized at the CRI Annual Meeting for their years of service.

“This has been a difficult year for our industry and association, but we are thriving as the industry’s trade association due to the character and dedication of our industry volunteers,” CRI President Joe Yarbrough said. “These qualities are embodied in this year’s honorees Rick Hooper, David Wardlaw, David Repp, Russ Delozier, and Joe Foye.”

Yarbrough also gave a report on CRI and industry activities from the past year. He highlighted numerous developments in CRI’s government affairs, technical department, and communication efforts. “While there were a number of unforeseen challenges in 2020, we at CRI see a promising 2021 ahead for our organization and industry,” Yarbrough said.

The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) mission is to serve the carpet industry and public by providing science-based facts that inform choices about the use and care of carpet and rugs in living, working, learning, and healing environments. CRI’s best practices promote a balance between social, economic, and environmental responsibility for the long term. CRI does this for its industry, yet it strives to be a model corporate citizen for all industries. For more information, visit https://carpet-rug.org/.