Tanja Kern

Tanja Kern became group editorial director of Floor Trends and Floor Covering Installer in 2016. With more than 15 years of editorial and strategic communications experience in the architecture and design community, Tanja combines her journalistic acumen with a passion for flooring. She has a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

Contractor Spotlight: Dave Bahr, Hiller Commercial Floors

Tanja Kern

October 18, 2019

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We sat down with Dave Bahr, vice president of Hiller Commercial Floors in Rochester, Minn., to get his take on the state of the industry and the benefits of FCICA membership.

Starnet Ramps Up for Continued Growth

Tanja Kern

June 29, 2018

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Starnet held its 2018 Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla., where the network of 177 independent flooring contractors, including a record nine new member companies, had the opportunity to learn from one another and glean new strategies to help grow their businesses.

A Demand Generation Organization: Mark Bishoff Discusses Starnet

Tanja Kern

June 15, 2018

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This spring, Starnet appointed Mark Bischoff to the position of vice president-vendor relations, where he will manage all activities related to the Starnet Preferred Vendor network. We spoke with Bischoff at Starnet’s annual meeting to learn about his vision for the organization.

Fuse Alliance: The Rise of the Contractor

Tanja Kern

May 21, 2018

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The flooring contractor’s role in the construction chain has become more important than ever before, and Fuse Alliance is helping its members prepare for their ever-increasing responsibility.

FinPan Takes Family-Focused Approach

Company Spotlight

Tanja Kern

April 25, 2018

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FinPan, a manufacturer of cement-based backerboard and lightweight shower installation products, is revamping its market strategy to help installers complete more installations in less time and with less training.

Industry Q&A: CFI's Varden Discusses the MagneBuild System

Tanja Kern

April 23, 2018

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We recently spoke with Robert Varden, vice president of the International Certified Floorcovering Installers Association (CFI) division of the World Floor Covering Association, who shared some insight about the new MagneBuild underlayment and what it means for the flooring industry.

flooring installations in Mollie Stone's supermarket

FSI Among 100 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in Bay Area

Tanja Kern

March 19, 2018

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Flooring Solutions, Inc. (FSI), a full-service flooring contractor serving northern California, was named one of the 100 fastest growing privately held companies in the Bay Area for the second year in a row.

Total Solutions: Partners in Progress

Tanja Kern

January 19, 2018

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Each year, Total Solutions Plus (TSP) brings the ceramic tile industry together to network and learn from each other.

Potential Solutions for the Installation Shortage

Tanja Kern

January 12, 2018

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Keith Olson, a flooring contractor who operates Tandem Flooring in Algonquin, Ill., recently wrote in to offer his two cents about how to address the installation crisis.