AVB Brandsource, a merchandising and marketing co-op for independent home furnishings, appliance and consumer tech dealers, has promoted Chad Fischer to senior director of home furnishings and bedding – membership, effective July 1.
“We’re excited to have Chad step into this role at such an important time for our furniture and bedding divisions,” said Tom Bennett, president of BrandSource. “BrandSource is the fastest-growing furniture group in the industry, and Chad’s relationships, experience and commitment to member success make him exactly the right person to lead this effort.”
Fischer, formerly director of bedding solutions, will now lead membership strategy across BrandSource’s furniture and bedding divisions, with participation in member recruitment, support of member retention and the overall health of both programs. He will work closely with members, vendors and industry partners to ensure BrandSource is offering best-in-class bedding and furniture solutions to its members.
Fischer will also champion BrandSource’s furniture and bedding suite of solutions, helping members understand and leverage available tools.
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Decorating Den Interiors honored a franchise owner from Florida with its highest business award, and a new franchise owner from Texas as its Rising Star of the year.
Suzanne Christie, a 30-year franchise owner from Clearwater, Fla., was named Franchise Owner of the Year. She has consistently been in the top 25% nationwide for sales, has won 11 international design awards and has seen her work published in a variety of national magazines.
“What an outstanding legacy Suzanne has created,” said Sue Pelley, vice president of retail sales. “She not only operates a very successful business but has enjoyed the loyalty and respect of hundreds of happy clients.”
Pelley noted that Christie has served on a variety of Decorating Den’s focus groups prior to new programs being adopted internationally, sharing her wisdom and business knowledge.
In addition, Frisco, Texas, franchisee Brooke Coffman was named 2026 Rising Star. Coffman started her franchise in 2024 and was in the top 20 for 2025 sales.
Both awards were announced at the company’s Elevate and Evolve 2026 annual conference in Reno, Nev.
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Carpet and rug provider Mohawk Inds., parent company of rug brand Karastan, has named Paul F. De Cock its new CEO, effective Sept. 30. He succeeds Jeffrey S. Lorberbaum, who will retire from his role as CEO at that time and continue to serve as chairman of the board.
The new CEO brings more than two decades of industry, operational and commercial leadership experience to the role.
Since joining Mohawk through the acquisition of Unilin in 2005, De Cock has held increasingly senior leadership roles across geographies and product categories, including laminate, wood, LVT and carpet.
During his tenure, he has played an instrumental role in strengthening Mohawk’s international operations and advancing the company’s product portfolio. Mohawk Inds. named De Cock as president and chief operating officer in February 2025.
Lorberbaum has served as chairman of the board since May 2004 and as the company’s CEO since January 2001. During his tenure, Mohawk grew through a combination of organic investments and strategic acquisitions to become the world’s largest flooring manufacturer with a portfolio of industry-leading and innovative brands.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to lead Mohawk for the past 25 years, and I’m incredibly proud of what the team has accomplished over this time,” said Lorerbaum. “I know that I will leave the company in good hands under Paul’s leadership and continue to have full confidence that Mohawk’s best days are to come.
“I look forward to serving as chairman of the board and working closely with Paul and the rest of the management team to support a smooth transition and continuing to strengthen the company.”
Over the past two decades, Mohawk Inds. has opened facilities in North America as well as Europe, South America and Oceania.
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This July, the third-annual Flooring Sustainability Summit returns to Washington, D.C., with industry leaders George Bandy and Cheryl Durst tapped to deliver the keynotes. Bandy is currently chief sustainability officer at Andersen Corporation and Durst is executive vice president and CEO of the International Interior Design Association.
Scheduled for July 15-16 at the Mayflower Hotel, the summit brings together leaders within the flooring industry to discuss evolving sustainability issues. In addition, this year’s summit will offer AIA-approved CEU courses for the first time. It is also expanding its Architecture & Design Awards program, with Project of the Year and, two new ones for 2026, Person of the Year and Firm of the Year awards; the deadline for submissions is May 18.
“This year’s summit reflects the growing urgency for our industry to align around shared sustainability goals,” said Bill Griese, deputy executive director of the Tile Council of North America and the summit’s chair. “We’re especially excited to welcome two dynamic keynote speakers whose perspectives span both global sustainability strategy and the transformative power of design.”
Bandy is a globally recognized sustainability leader with more than 25 years of experience guiding organizations on environmental performance, circular economy strategy and socially responsible solutions. With prior experience at Mohawk Industries, Amazon and Interface, he is also vice chairman of the Board of Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) and has received numerous honors, including USGBC Leadership Awards and recognition as a Living Future Hero. He will deliver the opening keynote.
One of the design industry’s most influential voices, Durst is widely known for elevating the role of design as a driver of human experience, business value and societal impact. She serves on the International WELL Building Institute Governance Council and is a Trustee of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago.
The summit is co-hosted by the Carpet and Rug Institute, North American Laminate Flooring Association, Natural Stone Institute, National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association, National Wood Flooring Association, Resilient Floor Covering Institute and Tile Council of North America.
