The Smrekar award honors the late Dr. Joe Smrekar who served on a number of CRI committees and “set the standard” for service to the carpet and rug industry. Following his untimely death in 1998, Milliken & Company established the award to honor individuals who demonstrate exemplary service to the carpet and rug industry. Recipients are chosen by CRI staff members and for the first time, the vote ended in a tie resulting in two award winners.
Eric Nelson has 15 years of experience in the carpet manufacturing industry and is currently the Vice President of Strategic Alliances for Interface Americas. In 2007, Eric took over Interface’s ReEntry 2.0 program that seeks to recycle all types of carpet yarn and carpet backing. Mr. Nelson serves on the Strategic Issues Leadership Council and is a member of the Caprolactam Advocacy, Landfill, and NSF-140 task groups and the EPR and CARE Panel at CRI. Eric has served on the CARE board since 2008.
Russ Delozier is the Director of Sustainability for J&J Industries, where he manages all of the company’s sustainability initiatives and leads research programs to facilitate the development of new environmental directives. Mr. Delozier serves on the EPR and CARE Panel and the Landfill and NSF-140 task groups. He has served on the CARE board since 2008 and is the longest-serving carpet mill representative on the Carpet America Recovery Effort Board.
“CRI is as strong as its volunteers,” said Carpet and Rug Institute President Werner Braun. “The carpet industry represents an incredible depth and breadth of talented people. In Eric Nelson and Russ Delozier, you see two of the best. CRI is blessed by their energy and support.”
Past winners of the Smrekar award include, Howard Elder Ph.D, Robert Cannon, Alan Luedtke Ph.D, Dr. E.P. “Rusty’’ Willimon, Frank Endrenyi, Carey Mitchell, Jim Jolly, and Dan Frierson.
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