CFA 2016 PERSON OF THE YEAR 

Fred received his BS degree from Michigan State University. He joined the Retail Management Training program at Lazarus Department Store in Columbus, Ohio and progressed through several positions in merchandising and store management which then took him to Macy's in Kansas City, as Vice-President, Merchandise Manager and then on to Jordan Marsh where he served as Vice President and managed their flagship store in Downtown Boston. After 30 years of Department Store Retail experience he accepted a position as Vice President, Retail Division for Ethan Allen Furniture in Danbury, Connecticut.

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Fred moved to Chicago in 1999, accepting the position as President and CEO of Century Tile. At Century, he established an extensive leadership career in senior retail management, store operations, marketing and merchandising. When Fred was asked to serve on the CFA Board of Directors in that same year, he saw it as an opportunity to maximize potential in the floorcovering industry and an opportunity to align Century Tile as an involved participant in the Association. Since then, Fred has been very active on the CFA Board of Directors; he served on and chaired the nominating, by-law, caring for all, membership and finance committees. He was elected President in 2005. Even after retiring from Century Tile in 2012, he has continued to remain active in the CFA, during the past year he has chaired the Coverings Committee, served on the Executive Director Search Committee, Budget Committee and Scholarship Committee. Also, he has represented the CFA as a member of the Illinois Carpet Recovery Stake Holder Group (ICRSG) chaired by State Senator Melinda Bush since 2015.

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Fred also served on the Board of Directors of the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) from 2003 to 2010 in various roles including Vice President. Additionally, Fred is active in his community serving on various business committees in St. Charles, IL and for the past 4 years on the Economic Development Committee for Campton Hills, IL.

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In 2013, Fred and 2 partners founded EMP3, LLC which provides consulting services to the floor covering industry, he is the Managing Partner.

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Fred and his wife of 50 years, Sharon has lived in Campton Hills since moving from Connecticut in 1999. They have two sons: Brian and his wife Leslie, who live in Gardener, KS and Douglas and his wife Kelly, who live in Newcastle, WA. Fred and Sharon have five grandchildren.

 

Fred and Sharon are active in supporting the Arts. Sharon's business, Cultural Connection, administers and curates several galleries in the area. They are both members of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Fox Valley Community Associates of the Art Institute and support the Norris Cultural Arts Center in St Charles.

 

If you would like information on attending this event or sending a congratulatory message in the ad book to Fred, please contact the CFA Executive Director, Larry Giampa at 630-442-7094.