The National Wood Flooring Association has inducted four wood flooring legends into its Legacy Scholarship program through the NWFA Education and Research Foundation. The newest honorees include Roland Holder, David Lynn, Jr., Tommy Maxwell, and Bill “Mac” McLaughlin.
These four industry icons are being recognized for the gift of their time and effort to advance both the NWFA and the wood flooring industry:
- Roland Holder founded Gentry & Holder Floors and was a 59-year industry veteran. He was regarded as one of the most influential instructors in the early years of NOFMA. Holder was inducted into the NWFA Hall of Fame in 1994.
- David Lynn, Jr. served as president and CEO of Cherokee Wholesalers, a 40-year-old, family-run distribution company in Alexandria, Virginia. He worked with several manufacturing partners to convince them of the benefits of wholesale distribution.
- Tommy Maxwell established Maxwell Hardwood Flooring in 1992, and has more than 35 years of industry experience. Maxwell served as chairman of NOFMA, NWFA’s Board of Directors, the Hardwood Federation’s Political Action Committee, and helped establish the NWFA Legacy Scholarship Program.
- Bill “Mac” McLaughlin worked for Powernail for 34 years. He was a fixture for years as an instructor at industry training events, including NOFMA and NWFA schools. McLaughlin passed away in 1997. His son, Richard, accepted the NWFA Hall of Fame award on his father’s behalf in 2000.
The NWFA Education & Research Foundation Legacy Scholarship Program was established to recognize individuals who made significant contributions to the wood flooring industry. Nominations can be made with a $5,000 donation to the Foundation. Based on these donations, the NWFA gives out one scholarship per school to continue the legacy of the program’s nominees. To learn more about this scholarship opportunity and others, visit NWFAs scholarship page at http://www.nwfa.org/scholarships.aspx.
The NWFA Education & Research Foundation (NERF) was established to provide industry research and educate future generations of wood flooring professionals. Thanks to the generosity of its members, NWFA has conducted such research as the Life Cycle Analysis of Wood Flooring and awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships.