With a formidable profession spanning greater than 4 a long time, Rick Holden formally retired from Derr Flooring Co. on the finish of 2023. He was CEO of the flooring distribution firm, which is headquartered in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, and operates seven warehouses throughout 4 states. Chet Derr III is continuous to run the family-owned enterprise, alongside along with his two brothers and the chief administration crew.
Holden has lengthy been a big determine within the wooden flooring business, having been concerned with the Nationwide Wooden Flooring Affiliation (NWFA) from its early days as an teacher at regional faculties and sitting on the distributor steering committee. He served on the NWFA Board of Administrators for 15 years, two of these as chairman, and represented the group as a member and chairman of the Hardwood Federation. He was acknowledged for his innovation, service, and management by being named to the NWFA Corridor of Fame final yr.
How did your profession within the wooden flooring business start? I began at Derr Flooring in June of 1980, two weeks after I graduated from the College of Virginia, and was the primary member of the fourth technology of the Derr household to affix the corporate.
Inform us about your profession trajectory since that point. Once I began, we have been a small firm, so we carried out many capabilities. My day began by loading supply vehicles, after which I might wait on clients on the counter, reply phone calls, sort invoices (we didn’t have a pc but), and help Chet Derr, Sr. with buying wooden flooring from our suppliers. Over time, I turned extra targeted on buying wooden flooring and finally oversaw all flooring purchases and the administration of that stock. I assisted the gross sales supervisor in working with our gross sales crew and was a part of the senior administration that developed and carried out our development technique. Lastly, I represented the corporate at conventions, commerce associations, vendor occasions, and manufacturing plant visits.
To what do you attribute Derr Flooring Co.’s capability to stay a thriving household enterprise for greater than 100 years? Our longevity could be attributed to a number of components, together with growing long-term partnerships with high quality producers and our clients. Our purpose is to create and keep relationships with each teams extending into a long time. We consider that the continuity of merchandise and repair is integral to our success. Our most vital asset is our folks. Virtually 25 p.c of our employees have been with us for greater than 20 years and are dedicated to the Derr philosophy of serving our suppliers and clients.
Is there recommendation you’d supply to wooden flooring professionals that you just want you had identified within the early days of your profession? I obtained recommendation early in my profession that I’ve tried to stick to, which I consider was instrumental in my development and success. It was to by no means cease studying! If you’re a health care provider or a realtor, you might be required to proceed your training all through your profession. Our business deserves no much less. I’ve loved staying updated on new set up and sanding methods, new strategies of moisture mitigation, enhancements in wooden flooring manufacturing, and the ever-changing authorities laws.
How will you spend your time in retirement? It is going to be a studying course of to fill 11-12 hours in my day. A few of the time will likely be spent fishing, {golfing}, and studying to play pickleball. Some will likely be volunteering, and a while will likely be spent touring the U.S. and, hopefully, some nations I’ve not seen.
What is going to you miss about working within the wooden flooring business? I undoubtedly will miss the folks of the wooden flooring business. It really is a household, and from that household, I’ve shaped lifelong friendships. The quantity {of professional} and private help you possibly can obtain from this group is wonderful.