Our Experts

Kim Buckallew

Sales & Design Manager

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Kim’s over 25 years of flooring experience shows in her flair with Tile design and “Green” flooring products. “It’s about working with the customer and understanding the concept they’re imagining. Every project is a blank canvas we get to paint."

Michael Bodus

Sales & Design Expert

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Michael joined the FCB team as a Sales & Design Expert in 2025. After earning a Master's degree from Indiana University, he returned to northern Michigan to be near family, who originally homesteaded in the Cedar area. Michael has since gained a wealth of customer service, merchandising and sales skills through his 20-plus year career in General Management and Merchandising Management in Northern Michigan's wine industry. Michael enjoys working outdoors, cooking, hiking, travel, being creative in his ceramics studio, and relaxing at home.

Ellen Pellar

Sales & Design Expert

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Ellen grew up in the restaurant industry, working alongside her father, a restaurant owner. Her extensive background in customer service and front-of-house management gives Ellen the essential skills necessary to manage the needs of her flooring customers. Ellen has two kids and a big mutt named Charlie, is passionate about the environment and recycling, loves the outdoors, and considers herself a “foodie”. Ellen graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Western Michigan University with a degree in Sustainability, and now applies that expertise to anyone looking for sustainable flooring options.

Dan Purkiss

Sales & Design Expert

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Dan was born and raised in Traverse City and now is raising his own family in this beautiful northern Michigan area. He has a strong background which includes several years of floor-covering experience at a major retailer. His focus on customer service, product specifications, and design elements makes him the perfect consultant for your next flooring project.

Charlie Weighman

Sales & Design Expert

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After university, years in retail, and teaching thru nonprofits, Charlie joined Floor Covering Brokers in 2017 to begin her professional career. This move allowed her to utilize not only her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, but also her lifelong passion for design. As a local of Traverse City, MI Charlie enjoys helping clients bring their visions to life. She has a true passion to reconnect her clients with the scenic Michigan nature, citing that “we live in one of the most remarkable places, and I truly believe nature is what grounds us all. In this fast-paced world, nothing can be more essential than integrated stress relief”. Charlie has been involved in many facets of design – from spaces, to product, to landscaping, and will forever enjoy learning new things. She is enthusiastic about the building industry as a whole, and through her time networking with in the local Home Builders Association, has greatly impacted the connection between youth and the trades. Charlie serves her community by sitting on committees and boards or assisting in coaching her home town cheer team. In her spare time, you will find her with loved ones enjoying the true outdoors or loving on her cat, Mr. Finn.

Jenya Zdybel

Sales & Design Expert

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Jenya has two decades of experience in retail and industrial sales, project management, and customer service. She holds a degree in Marketing and Advertising from Moscow State Social University and has also studied Interior Design at the New York Institute of Art + Design. With her expertise and eye for color and detail, Jenya successfully helps clients bring their vision to life, creating beautiful, one-of-a-kind projects. Outside of work, Jenya is a fitness enthusiast, fashion lover, and foodie who enjoys traveling the world and sharing her hobbies with her husband, Nick.

Dennis Lauterbach

President/Owner

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A University of Illinois graduate, Denny had a 30-year career in the elevator and escalator industry. He retired as Senior Vice President, managing 60 branch offices nationwide, as well as sales, manufacturing, construction, and service. He purchased Floor Covering Brokers Carpet One in 2004 and added Carpet Galleria to the FCB Group in 2022. A Licensed Michigan Residential Builder, Denny has served many Traverse City area boards, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Old Town Playhouse, The Home Builders Association, where he served as President, the YMCA, and The Grand Traverse Pavilion Foundation. The very successful Floor Covering Brokers and Carpet Galleria teams, led by Mike Watkins, allow Denny and his wife, Jo to enjoy most of the year in Arizona, where he serves on the Boards of the Wickenburg Community Hospital, the Desert Caballeros Trail Ride, the Boyd Ranch Committee, and the Remuda Camp of the DC Ride. He and his wife, Jo enjoy horseback riding, ATV riding in the Arizona desert mountains, motorcycling, and especially visiting their 4 daughters and 7 grandchildren, scattered about the country.

Mike Watkins

Vice President and General Manager

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Mike, a valuable asset at Floor Covering Brokers since 2002, was promoted to Vice President and General Manager in 2017. He has a deep understanding of the floor covering business, having produced excellent results in Sales, Operations and Material Management throughout his 23-year career here. He has a mind for detail and customer service, and a terrific eye for design based on technical training. These strong traits have resulted in Mike being newly elected by Carpet One as a Michigan RNG Coordinator! Mike’s generous and kind spirit has prompted his involvement in several charitable and local activities, including:

3 ½ years as a big brother through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Michigan
Rotarian since 2017
Key member of the Precision Lawn Chair Drill Team
Bell Ringing for Salvation Army for 5 years
Grand Traverse Pavilions Foundation Board for 7 years, where he is co-chair of the Activities Committee and volunteers weekly during their Concert on the Lawn series.

Jean Luedtke

Controller

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After attending Northwestern Michigan College (NMC), Jean has accumulated over 40 years of accounting and human resources experience. Her employment background comprises of many notable companies including NMC, Pillsbury World Headquarters (MN), Sara Lee Corp., Century Specialties, and Interlochen Center for the Arts, after which time she established a self-employed Bookkeeping Business for ten years. When Denny Lauterbach purchased FCB in 2004, Jean signed on as the Controller and has been with the company ever since! Some of her past roles include President and board member for 10+ years of the Benzie County Community Chest, 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. When she’s not crunching numbers, Jean enjoys spending time with her family (husband, three grown children, three grandchildren with one more on the way!), plus boating, hiking, cycling, cross-country skiing and traveling.

Jennifer Bladek

Director of Marketing

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Jennifer earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Wayne State University, Detroit, MI. She advanced her marketing career through Little Caesar Enterprises’ corporate marketing department where for 10 years she was responsible for local store marketing and managing their southeast US advertising cooperatives. She relocated to Traverse City in 1993, joining The Century Group Advertising Agency, where she managed creative production for clients in outdoor sporting goods, who subsequently launched internet shopping site, Alloutdoors.com. She brought this extensive experience of traditional advertising and internet marketing to Floor Covering Brokers in 2009 and has been with the company ever since. She is currently responsible for media planning and buying, creative development, social media, special events and public relations for both Floor Covering Brokers Carpet One and Carpet Galleria, which was acquired in 2022. Jennifer loves spending time with her husband and friends traveling, attending live events, going to movies, or simply reading a book. She also enjoys hanging out with her two adult daughters, son-in-law, cockapoo Bella, and grand-dogger Sutton.

Kristi Watkins

Accounting Supervisor

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In 2025, Kristi celebrated 34 years of employment at FCB and has had many different roles over the years. She started as the part-time receptionist, held many positions in the business department and is now the Accounting Supervisor. She is the key to the many behind-the-scenes components that make our business run efficiently and has a vast knowledge of our company. Born and raised in Traverse City, Kristi continues to call it home. In her free time, she loves to travel, see new places and make memories with her husband, Mike. Her favorite place to spend time is by the ocean in South Carolina. She enjoys sharing that time with her three grown children, their significant others and granddaughter, Scarlett.

Miriam Pico

Spokesperson

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Miriam is a Traverse City native since moving here at the age of four from Puerto Rico and has been singing professionally since the age of eleven. She has released four CDs and performs locally, frequently alongside David Chown, on the keyboard, or with ‘Girls with Guitars’. Miriam is blessed with three amazing children and plans to raise them in beautiful northern Michigan. She is thrilled to be the celebrity spokesperson for Floor Covering Brokers Carpet One. Watch for Miriam in our advertising and marketing!

Bill Lihou

Operations Manager

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Bill joined FCB in 2023 and has proven to be an integral part of the FCB team. His role as an Operations Manager focuses on daily operations including project coordination, estimating jobs, ensuring quality, maintaining our standards, and improving processes.

Martha McMann

Accounting Assistant

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With a degree in Business Administration from Northwestern Michigan College, Martha serves as a valuable member of our Accounting Team. She loves spending time with her family and friends, especially her granddaughters and fur babies. In her spare time, Martha enjoys crafting, kayaking, paddle boarding and reading books.

Michael Sedgewick

Measuring & Claims Specialist

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A native of Rapid City, MI, Michael graduated from Ferris State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. At Floor Covering Brokers, he gained a strong background in flooring installation, warehouse support, carpet cleaning, and was a successful member of the Sales team from 2016-2024, and has received certification in Flooring Design and Consultation. Michael lives in Kalkaska with his wife Autumn and two young sons. He enjoys being outdoors, especially hunting or fishing.

Andrea Slater

Receptionist

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Andrea has proven to be an efficient and helpful point person as consumers visit our showroom. She grew up in Traverse City, and proudly served in the US Navy from 1990 to 1994, stationed in NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach, VA. In 2016, Andrea founded the Munchkins Mission, a non-profit organization that practices trap, neuter, return and cat/kitten adoption, a mission dear to her heart that is still in practice today!

Jim Leitow

Shop at Home Expert

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Jim comes to us with 50 plus years of installation and sales experience in the flooring industry, including carpet, vinyl, ceramic tile, hardwood, LVP and laminate. For over 20 years, he has been highly effective in-home sales representative. Jim is married with 3 children and 2 grandchildren. Having grown up near Flint, he and his family moved to northern Michigan in 1972.

Mike Makowski

Commercial Flooring Manager

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Mike joined Floor Covering Brokers Carpet One in 1996. After installing for several years, he was our Measuring Specialist, and for the past several years, has managed our warehouse. Mike will now focus on our commercial business, where he will oversee material and labor quoting and installation crews for projects with area businesses, office buildings, schools, churches, hospitals, and more.

Larry Stoltz

Commercial Flooring Manager

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Larry has worked in tile for more than 40 years, learning the trade in Chicago before moving to Traverse City in 1976, and has been involved in projects of all sizes and types. He has established strong partnerships with flooring manufacturers to best manage the needs of our commercial accounts and is versed in commercial resilient, laminate, carpet, hardwood, and porcelain tile floors. For 4 years, Larry has served our community as a member of the Traverse City Area Public Schools Board.

Rich Budek

Warehouse Manager

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Originally from Petoskey MI, and later moving to Traverse City, Rich calls northern Michigan home. Rich joined Floor Covering Brokers Carpet One in 2014 and has filled multiple roles including sales, scheduling, and most currently as a vital part of our warehouse staff. His skills and dedication have earned him the promotion to Warehouse Manager. Rich has attended Mohawk University where he acquired a deep knowledge of product selection, measuring, installation, and customer service. Rich has three grown children and four grandchildren.

Kevin Harvey

Installation Manager

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Originally from southeast MI, Kevin moved to Traverse City in 2021 and joined the Floor Covering Brokers Carpet One team. After serving as a warehouse worker/delivery driver, Kevin quickly advanced to Installation Manager in January 2022. Prior to working in the Flooring Industry, Kevin was a Police Officer for ten years in the Lansing, MI area. During that time, he was a Detective for three years, and a SWAT operator for six years. Kevin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University. He and his wife have a son and one dog named Frank. In his free time, Kevin keeps busy with home renovation projects, exploring northern Michigan, mountain biking, running, snowboarding, playing Euchre and taking road trips with his family. Kevin is a huge Detroit sports fan as well as a massive MSU Spartan fan.

Steve Robinson

Warehouse Assistant

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'Robbie' is a valuable asset in our warehouse, where he assists with jobsite deliveries, flooring tear-outs, and shipping and receiving of installation materials. With a passion for cooking, Robbie loves to share his chef skills while testing new recipes and opens his home to an ongoing stream of foreign exchange students.

Harold McNamara

Delivery Team

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Born in Traverse City, MI and now residing in Fife Lake, Harold joined the Floor Covering Brokers Carpet One team in August of 2025. He brought with him a keen knowledge of foundations and trim work. His time with our company will be spent packing trucks with precision and delivering materials to job sites, ensuring time and materials are met. Harold is engaged to be married and in his free time enjoys disc golf, video games, or playing with his good dog Iris.

Elijah McNamara

Delivery Team

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Elijah, a local of Traverse City, MI, joined the Floor Covering Brokers Carpet One delivery team in 2025. His strong background in foundation repair, power washing, and delivery services for Amazon, all points to him being diligent, thorough and dependable. His time with our company will be spent transporting flooring materials to job sites while ensuring reliable deliveries. Elijah loves technology, specifically playing games like W.O.W. and Path of Exile, and is currently in a happy relationship.

Michael Simpkin

Warehouse Assistant

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A native of Traverse City, MI Michael now lives in Kingsley with his girlfriend, two young children, four dogs and 12 chickens! His background includes a long-run, 14-year kitchen management gig, that taught him a wide range of skills, including leadership, business management, people management, problem solving and customer service. We welcome Michael to the team this fall of 2025 and know he will be a motivational force within our team. In his free time, Michael enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, target shooting and drums… anything outdoors!

Doug Smith

Warehouse Assistant

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Doug has amassed an amazing 40+ year career in flooring installation, which he started in his hometown of Lansing, MI. After heading north to Traverse City, he worked over 30 of those years with Carpet Galleria, earning certification from Karastan Floors, and later joining Floor Covering Brokers Carpet One after their acquisition of the local store. His skills are seriously precise and quality-focused, leaving clients with complete satisfaction in their flooring job. He is now responsible for the ins and outs of our warehouse, helping keep workflow and materials in line. In his spare time, Doug likes anything to do with motorcycles—riding, tinkering and traveling!

Christian Campbell

Installation Expert

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A native of Kalkaska, MI, Christian has been an installer with us for over two years and has a strong background in the flooring industry. Christian now resides in the Traverse City area with his two dogs and enjoys outdoor activities including kayaking, hiking, fishing, and camping.

Austin Groves

Installation Expert

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Austin has lived in Traverse City since a young age and currently resides in Kalkaska, MI with his fiancée and two children. With a strong background in landscaping, roofing, and tilework, Austin joined our installation team in 2017 and has proven to be a top-quality employee with excellent results on his installation projects. When he’s not hard at work, Austin enjoys taking his kids to scenic lookouts, fishing, and rock hunting along the shores of Lake Michigan.

Jim Kirsch

Installation Expert

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After serving four years as a submariner in the US Navy, Jim started his flooring career as an Installation Expert at the original storefront of Floor Covering Brokers in 1986. He has been a loyal employee ever since, gaining over 35+ years of installation experience and technical knowledge, including both hard surface and soft surface flooring. In 2022, Jim began his new role at the company as a dedicated Measuring Specialist. Born and raised in Traverse City, Jim is married, has 5 adult children and 19 grandchildren. He loves fly fishing, kayaking, and outdoor activities.

Brian Kohn

Installation Expert

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Brian Kohn has been installing carpet & hard surface flooring for almost 30 years. Working for Floor Covering Brokers for 10+ years. He is a true craftsman of his trade. He enjoys mentoring new installers by teaching them his craft. You will find him on the golf course in the summertime or working on his classic car.

Justin Rider

Installation Expert

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Justin started his career at Floor Covering Brokers in the carpet cleaning division and warehouse, and moved on to become an expert in flooring installation. His attention to detail and meticulous workmanship makes him a valuable asset to our team. Justin is newly married and enjoys outdoor adventures in northern Michigan.

Jason Watts

Installation Expert

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Jason has been a Traverse City resident for most of his life, having moved up from Detroit at a young age. He has worked in the flooring industry “since he could walk”, for over 30 years straight, and we’ve been lucky to have him on our installation team for the past 7 years. Jason is currently engaged to be married, has a pet dog, and likes to play Corn Hole or enjoy water sports in his spare time.

Who we are at Floor Covering Brokers Carpet One

GET TO KNOW YOUR TRAVERSE CITY, MI AREA FLOORING EXPERTS

Kim Buckallew

Michael Bodus

Ellen Pellar

Dan Purkiss

Charlie Weighman

Jenya Zdybel

Dennis Lauterbach

Mike Watkins

Jean Luedtke

Jennifer Bladek

Kristi Watkins

Miriam Pico

Bill Lihou

Martha McMann

Michael Sedgewick

Andrea Slater

Jim Leitow

Mike Makowski

Larry Stoltz

Rich Budek

Kevin Harvey

Steve Robinson

Harold McNamara

Elijah McNamara

Michael Simpkin

Doug Smith

Christian Campbell

Austin Groves

Jim Kirsch

Brian Kohn

Justin Rider

Jason Watts

Contact Us

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