Our Staff

If you would like to contact a member of our staff by email, simply click on their name and a form will load that you may complete and send.

Bill Black, Sales Associate

A 16 year floor covering veteran, Bill is a graduate of the Stainmaster Training Center, and numerous Mohawk Carpet seminars on product knowledge and design techniques.  He is certified by Mirage (Canada) as a hardwood flooring expert, but, bottom line, has forgotten more about hardwood flooring than the rest of us have ever learned!  Stop in and be “Wowed”.  Really!  Bill will tell you he “…enjoys putting customers and the right products together to make their homes comfortable and beautiful”.

Jennifer Bladek, Marketing Manager

A Wayne State University graduate, Jen advanced her marketing career through Little Caesar Enterprises’ corporate marketing department for 10 years before relocating to Traverse City in 1993.  She has extensive experience in advertising and internet marketing, and an attention to detail (and keeping us on track) that’s to be envied.  And, emulated!  In her free time (yeah, RIGHT!), Jennifer loves being with her family, reading, photography, boating and camping.

Tom Brady, In-house Installation Expert

Originally from Manchester, Michigan, Tom is one of our premier installers.  He’s been installing flooring for over 20 years, and is renowned for being able to spot a pattern match that no one else can determine.  Subtle and quiet, Tom has a knack for being able to figure out how to install the most quirky flooring products… and make the installation appear seamless!

Robert Brown, Carpet Cleaning Manager

Robert’s carpet cleaning passion began in 1991.  He earned IICRC certifications (Institute of Cleaning and Restoration Certification), for carpet, upholstery, draperies, area rugs and hard surface maintenance.   He’s a magician with stain removal… even when a “spot” turned out to be a shadow from a light!  He loves his work and says every project is his favorite – the rewards are the priceless smiles on customer’s faces!  …well, that and making his granddaughter giggle!

Kim Cassady, Sales Manager

Kim’s 20 years of flooring experience shows in her flair with “Green” flooring products and tile design. ”It’s about working with the customer and understanding the concept they’re imagining.  Every project is a blank canvas we get to paint. Seeing the customer’s excitement as we finalize decisions and bring together the result is the most rewarding element for me.”  When Kim’s not concocting trendy looks with texture and tile, you’ll find her hiking, cross country skiing, or traveling both domestically and internationally. Or, hugging Luke, her Golden Retriever, who chewed the corners off her house when he was a pup…!

Adam Collett, Sales Associate

A Traverse City native, Adam moved to Iowa for 14 years but his heart remained “Up North”.  He ran fishing charters in the summer for Pisces Charter Service in East Bay during the summers, and then managed Michigan Truck Accessories for 3 years.  With a carpet installation background, he joined the Floor Covering Brokers sales team in 2009.  He loves surprising customers with impeccable service! He has two sons and in his free time, loves to fish and hunt… anything out-of-doors!

Lucas Dillon, Carpet Cleaning Technician

Lucas was born and raised locally in northern Michigan and is currently living in Lake Ann. He is married with one son, one daughter, and three dogs. He loves to participate with all sorts of sports. Lucas specializes in Carpet Cleaning, Warehouse work, and Deliveries.

Debbie Everson, Sales Associate

Debbie has an eye for color and design, and loves the fun and challenge of working with her next customer. Her taste is impeccable and her customers have returned for her advice for decades. With a Retailing degree and 25 years in the flooring business, Debbie has traveled to Italy for tile training and participated in numerous seminars with Mohawk, Shaw, and Crossville Tile.  She is proud of the work she has done with many local Parade of Homes homes. Debbie and her husband Eric, have two sons, enjoy golf and walking the shoreline of Lake Michigan.

Joan Geerlings, Sales Associate

Joan has 17 delightful years in the flooring industry (ask her customers who have followed her career)!  A Business graduate of Davenport University, she joined Floor Covering Brokers in 2002.   She has successfully completed certified Stainmaster Training, seminars by Mohawk, and numerous other programs on flooring products and window treatments.  An enthusiastic team member, Joan will go to great lengths to fulfill the customer’s wishes… and to keep smiles on all of our faces!  She loves spending time with family, yoga, boating, and… the winter in Florida.

Joe Gunsberg, Sales Associate

A Detroit native, Joe joined Floor Covering Brokers in 1998.  With over 30 years in the flooring industry, Joe’s expertise is invaluable.  He has successfully completed innumerable seminars on carpet, tile, and wood flooring, including installation and design, and (in our estimation), should teach seminars, rather than attend them!  Joe is an avid outdoorsman who loves fishing and hunting in his not-too-frequent free time. His philosophy is: “Strive to service and have satisfied customers”.  He succeeds in this endeavor.

Chuck Karpinski, Sales Associate

Chuck began his flooring career as a carpet installer in 1971 and became part of the Floor Covering Brokers’ sales team in 1986. An invaluable technical resource (don’t even BEGIN to try and stump THIS expert!), Chuck possesses a dry wit, limitless patience and dedication to making the impossible, possible!  He is most proud of his ceramic tile and marble installation at the Grand Traverse Resort… or maybe owning two mid-1930′s GM autos and a couple of small fishing boats?

Mike Kinnee, In-house Installation Expert

A native of northern Michigan, Mike currently lives locally in Rapid City with his wife, two children, and their dog.  He has over 12 years of experience in carpet installation & project measurement. When he’s not busy at work, Mike stays active in sports (especially golf and bowling), and enjoys working on cars and welding projects.

Denny Lauterbach, President/Owner

A University of Illinois Business Administration graduate, Denny had an enviable 30 year career in the elevator and escalator industry. However, in 2003 after living in Washington, DC, Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles, he & his wife Kathy decided to look for a “business” reason to live in northern Michigan. The owners of Floor Covering Brokers were ready to sell… and the rest is… “HISTORY”! Denny enjoys many activities, among them, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, The Home Builders Association, YMCA and the Old Town Playhouse. He also thrives on the technical side of the flooring industry. After managing elevator projects on 70 story plus high rises and projects like the Denver Airport, flooring has been a surprisingly pleasant & complex challenge.  Most importantly, he deeply values and respects our talented Floor Covering Brokers team!!!!

Kathy Lauterbach, Co-Owner

A former Mineral Trust officer; Chairman of the Board of Montgomery Elevator Company; Board Member and coordinator for Junior Achievement’s Exchange City and Rock Island Arts/Festival of Trees, Kathy is now co-owner of Floor Covering Brokers, with her husband, Denny!  A St. Mary’s College/Notre Dame graduate with a BA in Philosophy and an Art minor she has responsibility for FCB’s Marketing and Area Rug collection. She loves flooring because “every project is a different puzzle to solve to make someone happy”.  In her free time (well, actually, no small business owner has free time so she “buys” it from when she’s supposed to be sleeping!) you might find her gardening, dog walking, reading, cooking, loving grandchildren or working on any of a zillion creative projects!

Jean Luedtke, Controller

After attending Northwestern Michigan College, Jean has accumulated over 25 years of accounting experience.  Some of her past roles:  Treasurer of the Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital Auxiliary; member of the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers; Christmas “Adopt-A-Family”; Band Boosters for Frankfort-Elberta Area Schools; youth group leader at Trinity Lutheran Church; and treasurer of the Benzie County Ski Boosters for Benzie Central/Frankfort-Elberta co-op ski team. She provides wisdom for our accounting needs and handles Human Resources.  Jean has no leisure time (!) but still enjoys bicycling, hiking, sailing, and x-country skiing!

Mike Makowski, Installation Manager

Mike lives in Traverse City with his wife, four children, and dogs! He attended Northwestern Michigan College and has over 20 years of experience in carpet installation & project measurement.  His attention to detail, installation expertise and customer focus are to be emulated and envied!

Doug Miller, In-House Installation Expert

Doug was raised locally in the quaint town of Lake Leelanau. He now resides in Interlochen with his wife, Noel along with his son Dominick and dog Dozer. Doug loves fishing, no matter what the season as well as tinkering around with his three-wheelers and motorcycles.

Barb Nelson, Sales Associate

Barb was born and raised in Miami Florida. From a very young age, she had a passion for design and home furnishings. Barb has a degree in retail management and Interior Design, and owned a design firm in Harbor Springs for over 10 years before moving to Traverse City (had to move to the big city!). When working with a customer selecting flooring or window treatments, Barb tries to exceed their expectations, and make the process fun and informative for them. In her spare time she loves gardening, taking gourmet cooking classes, going to art fairs or zip lining and hot-air balooning with her mother!

Paul Schaub, In-house Installation Expert

Paul is a Traverse City native and has been installing carpet for 23 years… which is a 23 year understatement!  He is so reliable, honest and experienced you’ll think he’s been a member of your family from the moment he steps foot on your job.  Just ask and he’ll make “it” happen.

Leslie Swanson, Sales Associate

Leslie graduated from Ferris State University with a business degree and a major in public relations. With a background in customer service, she has a passion for working with people, and puts her best foot forward in achieving the best possible outcome for each customer. This soon-to-be newlywed enjoys volleyball (she hopes to take on a coaching position in the area soon!), hiking, running, biking…just about anything outdoors!

Kristi Watkins, Accounting

Kristi joined Floor Covering Brokers in 1991. She first mastered our clerical positions and now is the glue between sales, order entry, and billing.  Her best attribute?  Some would say her smile and indefatigable patience. She would say “I’m inspired by the giving of others”. (How lucky are we to have her on our team?). One of her favorite projects is organizing and shopping for the Women’s Resource Center, annual Adopt-a-Family Christmas project. She is inspired by her children, who make her strive to be a better person, and her husband Mike.

Lester Woodward, In-house Installation Expert

Lester lives in Traverse City and has two daughters. He is quality focused and an insured carpet installer. He is inspired daily by the wish is to see his children graduate from college.  You’ll love him on your job because of the personal attention he gives to making sure your installation is the best it can be!