– Industry leader honored for significant contributions to the carpet industry –

Dalton, GA. – Nov 12, 2025 – Today, The Carpet and Rug Institute (The CRI) awarded industry leader Becky Boley of Shaw Industries with the 2025 Joseph J. Smrekar Memorial Award in recognition of her contributions to the carpet industry. The award was presented by Russ DeLozier, president of The CRI, during the organization’s annual meeting.

“Becky Boley’s tireless dedication and leadership have made a lasting impact on our industry,” said Russ DeLozier, president of The CRI. “As The CRI’s board treasurer for the past four years, Ms. Boley’s expertise has carefully guided The CRI, and this award reflects her outstanding service to our organization and its members.”

Marking its 27th year, the Joseph J. Smrekar Memorial Award was established in 1998 by Milliken and Company to honor the late Dr. Joseph Smrekar, a longtime industry professional who set the standard for service to The CRI and the carpet industry.

The award is a commissioned piece handcrafted by Dalton artist Chris Beck.

About The Carpet and Rug Institute

The mission of The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) is to educate consumers, help advance technical initiatives, and advocate on behalf of the carpet manufacturing industry.  This work is informed by science and guided by our commitment to integrity and transparency in everything we do.  To learn more about CRI, visit www.carpet-rug.org

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2025 Board of Directors for the Carpet and Rug Institute include:

• Jay Brown, Bentley Mills
• Dan Frierson, The Dixie Group
• Robert E. Shaw, Engineered Floors
• Tom Pendley, Mannington Mills
• Patrick Keese, Milliken & Company
• Joe Semaan, Mohawk Industries
• Tim Baucom, Shaw Industries
• Winn Everhart, Tarkett North America
• Franco Rossi, Aquafil USA
• Chip Howalt, Textile Rubber & Chemical Co.
• Marc Ammen, Universal Fibers

Additionally, Tim Baucom was nominated Board of Directors Chairman and Joe Semaan was nominated Board of Directors Vice Chairman.

“We are deeply grateful for the unwavering dedication of our Board of Directors in guiding The CRI toward a promising future,” said Russ DeLozier, president of The CRI. “We also thank Tom Pendley, our outgoing Board Chairman, for his tireless leadership these last three years.”

About The Carpet and Rug Institute
CRI is the leading industry source for science-based information and insight on how carpet and rugs create a better environment for living, working, learning, and healing. CRI’s mission is to serve the carpet industry and public by providing facts that help people make informed choices. Its 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.

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– Industry trade organization honors the CRI past president for his significant contributions to the carpet industry –

Dalton, GA. – Nov 15, 2023 – Today The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) awarded Joe Yarbrough, the CRI’s past president, with the Joseph J. Smrekar Memorial Award in recognition of Mr. Yarbrough’s unwavering commitment and contributions to the carpet industry. The award was presented during the CRI Annual Meeting.

“It is a true honor to present this award to Joe Yarbrough, who has dedicated his career to advancing the carpet industry,” said Russ DeLozier, president of the CRI. “This award recognizes Mr. Yarbrough’s legacy and accomplishments for the industry.”

Marking its 25th year, the Joseph J. Smrekar Memorial Award was established in 1998 by Milliken and Company to honor the late Dr. Joseph Smrekar, a longtime industry professional who set the standard for service to the CRI and the carpet industry.

Jake Smrekar (Milliken), son of the late Dr. Joseph Smrekar, presented the award. During the presentation Jake acknowledged the work of Mr. Yarbrough, who has shown dedication and passion to the industry throughout his tenured career. Smrekar stated, “Joe Yarbrough has dedicated countless hours to making the industry, the CRI, and the product we call carpet, better.” He continued, “Mr. Yarbrough’s contributions to Mohawk, to the CRI, and to the carpet industry as a whole are unmatched.”

Also present during the award celebration were Carey Mitchell (retired from Shaw Industries) and Howard Elder (retired from J&J Industries, now Engineered Floors) who received the first two Joseph J. Smrekar Memorial Awards in 1998 and 1999, respectively.

In honor of the 25th anniversary of the Joseph J. Smrekar Memorial Award, the CRI commissioned Dalton artist Chris Beck to handcraft a meaningful sculpture from recycled metal from a CRI member facility.

About The Carpet and Rug Institute
CRI is the leading industry source for science-based information and insight on how carpet and rugs create a better environment for living, working, learning, and healing. CRI’s mission is to serve the carpet industry and public by providing facts that help people make informed choices. Its 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.

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During his tenure, Richard played a key role in the CRI’s Seal of Approval (SOA) and Green Label Plus (GLP) programs along with countless ASTM industry standards. His commitment to excellence and his deep understanding of the carpet industry have set a high standard for the company and have played a crucial role in its success.

“We are incredibly thankful to Richard for his years of dedication and the lasting impact he has made on the industry,” said Russ DeLozier, president of The CRI. “As Richard steps into retirement, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for his many years of service and wish him the very best.”

In a related message, the CRI is excited to announce the appointment of Darrell Hagan as the new director of technical and programs. Darrell brings 35 years of experience in a variety of positions within the textile industry and most recently as a consultant providing services specifically for the floorcare segment. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree focused on business administration and management from Georgia Southern University.

“We are thrilled to welcome Darrell to our team,” stated DeLozier. “With his extensive experience and dedication to the carpet industry, Darell will uphold our commitment to excellence and help us further strengthen our support to the industry, while bringing new perspectives and approaches to the position.”

Darrell and Anna, his wife of 35 years, reside in Dalton, Ga. They have three grown children and two grandchildren.

About The Carpet and Rug Institute
CRI is the leading industry source for science-based information and insight on how carpet and rugs create a better environment for living, working, learning, and healing. CRI’s mission is to serve the carpet industry and public by providing facts that help people make informed choices. Its 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.

The post The Carpet and Rug Institute Announces the Retirement of Richard Turner After 7 Years of Service and Welcomes Darrell Hagan as the New Director of Technical and Programs appeared first on The Carpet and Rug Institute.

AB 863 will replace the current carpet recycling program – which has consistently met state goals – with a complicated new program that is both untested, unproven, and more costly. Experts have predicted the new mandates will increase costs for California consumers and the state, putting California jobs at risk and jeopardizing an already existing and successful carpet recycling program.

“The passage of AB 863 is detrimental to the state of California, California consumers and the entire carpet industry, and it upends progress that has been made by the industry to advance the state’s ambitious environmental goals,” said Russ DeLozier, president of The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI). “While there will be ramifications with this legislative outcome including implications for consumers, manufacturers, and retailers, we look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders including industry, the legislature, the administration, and CalRecycle on future efforts to improve the program and continue working towards California’s ambitious environmental goals.”

The ongoing carpet recycling program has hit significant milestones, including:

• increasing the state’s carpet recycling rate from 4% in 2012 to 41% in 2024,
• collecting over 1.2 billion pounds of post-consumer carpet since 2011, and
• expanded collection to every county in the state with over 350 collection sites across California at the end of 2023.

The current carpet program’s successful and ongoing results now face an uncertain future, as AB 863 will have implications that have not been carefully or thoughtfully considered.

For more information on California’s successful carpet recycling program, visit https://www.carpetrecovery.org/california/

About The Carpet and Rug Institute
The mission of The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) is to educate consumers, help advance technical initiatives, and advocate on behalf of the carpet manufacturing industry. With more than 30 members across California, CRI’s California membership including manufacturing, sales, distribution, and installation provides more than 12,000 jobs statewide. To learn more about CRI, visit: https://carpet-rug.org/

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The bill, introduced in 2023, was recently amended to include these changes, and the timing does not allow for the appropriate legislative review and debate necessary for a bill with such sweeping ramifications.

“AB 863 is unnecessary and destructive legislation for the current California carpet recycling program, which has increased the carpet recycling rate in California from 4 percent in 2011 to 41 percent in 1Q 2024,” said Russ Delozier, president of the Carpet and Rug Institute. “The bill would introduce enormous complexity to California’s carpet industry and other flooring products. The compliance burden for flooring manufacturers to continue selling product in California is unknown, because many of the bill’s requirements will be created through future regulations rather than through the legislation itself. This bill targets flooring retailers, manufacturers, recyclers, and California consumers who are already burdened with overwhelming cost increases. The CRI strongly urges all flooring industry stakeholders in California to join CRI in opposing AB 863.”

About The Carpet and Rug Institute
The mission of The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) is to educate consumers, help advance technical initiatives, and advocate on behalf of the carpet manufacturing industry. This work is informed by science and guided by our commitment to integrity in everything we do. To learn more about The CRI, please visit: https://carpet-rug.org/

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Dalton, GA – April 18, 2024 – Today The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) announces that the California Carpet Stewardship Program has surpassed its annual carpet recycling goal for the second year in a row. The new data released by the Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) show the Program achieved a 35.1 percent recycling rate in 2023, surpassing its target goal of 31 percent. This achievement is attributed to collaborative efforts between the carpet industry and CalRecycle.

“As significant contributors to carpet recycling in California, The CRI and our members are encouraged by the ongoing accomplishments of the California Carpet Stewardship Program. The continued growth is a clear indication of the valuable collaboration among carpet manufacturers, retailers, installers and consumers to promote the responsible disposal and recycling of carpet,” said Russ DeLozier, president of The CRI. “The CRI, representing carpet manufacturing industry nationwide, remains engaged with CARE and the recycling industry to fulfill California’s legislative and environmental objectives in carpet recycling and continue to exceed the goals of the Program. We also are committed to advocating for market-based solutions for post-consumer recycling, which support our environment, industry, and consumers.”

The 2023 Program successes and milestones include:

• Exceeded recycling rate target at 35.1 percent vs. a goal of 31 percent for the year.
• Met 12 of 13 goals and hit 95% of the 13th goal – recycling efficiency.
• 75% of total subsides paid in state to California-based recyclers.
• 79% of all recycled pounds were generated in California.
• Cumulative gross collections in California now exceed 1.3B pounds (or 650,000 tons).
• Carpet recycling employs more than 200 jobs in California.
• Over $154,000,000 in total subsidies have been paid to recyclers.

The accomplishments of the Carpet Stewardship Program result from expanding awareness among all stakeholders to increase knowledge of drop-off sites, ultimately enhancing accessibility for California residents and encouraging proper disposal practices. The increase in recycling rates not only reduces landfill waste, but also supports the circular economy, where resources are reused and recycled.

About The Carpet and Rug Institute
The mission of The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) is to educate consumers, help advance technical initiatives, and advocate on behalf of the carpet manufacturing industry. This work is informed by science and guided by our commitment to integrity in everything we do. To learn more about The CRI, please visit: https://carpet-rug.org/

About Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE)
Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) is a voluntary, non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the landfill diversion, reuse, and recycling of waste carpet, through market-based solutions that benefit the economy as well as the environment. CARE in charge of implementing the California Carpet Stewardship Program as required by California law AB 2398. CARE members include independent carpet recyclers, carpet manufacturers, dealers, retailers and suppliers and non-governmental organizations. To learn more about the California Carpet Stewardship Program and CARE, please visit: https://carpetrecovery.org/california/

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Dalton, GA – Nov 21, 2023 – Friends and colleagues, this time of year is ripe for thoughtful reflection, gratitude and thanksgiving. With that in mind, I want to reflect on our work at The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) and share some thoughts on where we’re headed in 2024.

As the new steward of the CRI, I’m proud to report a positive year for your trade association. In an industry shaped by resilience and innovation, we find ourselves propelled by a commitment to not just adapt to change, but to lead it. And, while external challenges persist as formidable tests on our path, I am happy to say that the carpet and rug industry is not merely weathering the storm — it is growing steadily.

We’re making profound strides with our signature programs, Green Label Plus and Seal of Approval, which continue to be industry-leading programs. Green Label Plus adds new products and participants each year, making it the premier program for indoor air quality testing of carpet, cushion, and adhesive. The program maintained its ANSI certification this year with a spotless program audit for the third straight year, and it continues to be recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program, the EPA, and other environmental programs. The Green Label Plus program is very much of global significance, with participants coming from 25 countries across 6 continents.

Similarly, the Seal of Approval program has an international reach with participants from six continents. The products certified by Seal of Approval are recognized by LEED as green cleaning and recommended for commercial maintenance.

With regard to government relations, there is a great deal of activity regarding Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in numerous states and we continue to push forward with a message of market-based solutions over government mandates. Please know the CRI will continue in its efforts to counter EPR legislation and promote market-based solutions for post-consumer recycling in 2024 on behalf of the industry.

We’ve renewed the mission statement of the Carpet and Rug Institute in an effort to stay laser-focused on what we need us to accomplish. We’ve also renewed our work to tout the benefits of carpet, and aim to do more of that as we step into a new year.

There are certainly challenges ahead for us, but I know the CRI and its members will meet these challenges head on, helping to make a better industry and an even brighter future.

Thank you for helping shape the future of the carpet and rug industry. In the meantime, we’d love to hear from you.

About The Carpet and Rug Institute
CRI is the leading industry source for science-based information and insight on how carpet and rugs create a better environment for living, working, learning, and healing. CRI’s mission is to serve the carpet industry and public by providing facts that help people make informed choices. Its 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.

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Dalton, GA. – Nov 15, 2023 – Today The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) awarded Joe Yarbrough, the CRI’s past president, with the Joseph J. Smrekar Memorial Award in recognition of Mr. Yarbrough’s unwavering commitment and contributions to the carpet industry. The award was presented during the CRI Annual Meeting.

“It is a true honor to present this award to Joe Yarbrough, who has dedicated his career to advancing the carpet industry,” said Russ DeLozier, president of the CRI. “This award recognizes Mr. Yarbrough’s legacy and accomplishments for the industry.”

Marking its 25th year, the Joseph J. Smrekar Memorial Award was established in 1998 by Milliken and Company to honor the late Dr. Joseph Smrekar, a longtime industry professional who set the standard for service to the CRI and the carpet industry.

Jake Smrekar (Milliken), son of the late Dr. Joseph Smrekar, presented the award. During the presentation Jake acknowledged the work of Mr. Yarbrough, who has shown dedication and passion to the industry throughout his tenured career. Smrekar stated, “Joe Yarbrough has dedicated countless hours to making the industry, the CRI, and the product we call carpet, better.” He continued, “Mr. Yarbrough’s contributions to Mohawk, to the CRI, and to the carpet industry as a whole are unmatched.”

Also present during the award celebration were Carey Mitchell (retired from Shaw Industries) and Howard Elder (retired from J&J Industries, now Engineered Floors) who received the first two Joseph J. Smrekar Memorial Awards in 1998 and 1999, respectively.

In honor of the 25th anniversary of the Joseph J. Smrekar Memorial Award, the CRI commissioned Dalton artist Chris Beck to handcraft a meaningful sculpture from recycled metal from a CRI member facility.

About The Carpet and Rug Institute
CRI is the leading industry source for science-based information and insight on how carpet and rugs create a better environment for living, working, learning, and healing. CRI’s mission is to serve the carpet industry and public by providing facts that help people make informed choices. Its 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.

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