People

Ken Sheldon is a seasoned flooring professional with nearly three decades of experience in manufacturing and distribution. He loves building relationships with his customers and helping them complete their projects. A hard worker and team player, Ken is always looking for new ways to improve. Ken is also a great listener.

Laurie, our flooring and momentum maestro, injects nearly 2 decades of quirky charm, healthcare know-how, and flooring finesse into Chicago’s vibrant market. Collaborating with Kelli Mildren and Kyle Keating, Laurie’s synergy and unstoppable spirit propel us onward. With a sharp focus on healthcare and senior living, matched by her wealth of experience, she’s the ultimate addition to our dream team. Brace yourself for exceptional solutions and a riot of laughter, as Laurie continues to rock the architectural and design scene in the Chicago Metro Area.

Emily, our rockstar Distribution Sales Rep, dominates in the DC Metro area. With trade show expertise, she blends charm and solution mastery at Spartan. Learning from our VP and joining our stellar reps, Emily’s fresh ideas and zen vibes boost our team. When not bonding with contractors and dealers, catch her rooting passionately for the Kentucky Wildcats. Go Cats!

Meet Kyle Keating, our Midwest Spartan rockstar! With a go-getter attitude, sharp focus, and valuable experience from internships at Spartan HQ and Chicago, Kyle is making waves as our Sales Rep. VP Mike Blasek says he’s a winner, just like his Clemson Tigers. Kyle embodies Spartan values and is ready to conquer!

Rocky, a Texas-born flooring industry veteran, takes charge of Spartan’s expansion into Southern Texas. With decades of experience and a passion for sharing wisdom, he’s ready to fuel Spartan’s growth in the Lone Star State. Known for his people skills and sales prowess since his college days, Rocky teams up with VP of Sales, Mike Blasek, to showcase Spartan’s products to new and long-term clients. Off the clock, he enjoys outdoor nights with his fiancé and cheers on his stepson, a Defensive End for West Texas A+M, no matter the eight-hour car ride. Dedication at its finest!

Blodgett is a bulldog. Regardless of the task Joe gets it done – quickly and effectively. Joe called on Spartan for several years before being recruited to the team in 2010.

Joe has a Pug named Ugh and two beautiful daughters. He is a huge Redskins fan and can belt it out to every song on the American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest. Joe is an amazing singer.

After two years grinding with supplier Capri in Dallas, Texas, Hannah packed up her belongings and drove east to Miami. A Bel Air, Maryland native, Miami may be Verschoore’s new home, but she proudly wears purple in the face of orange and green (go Ravens!).

To Hannah, a perfect Sunday starts with brunch, and ends with Game of Thrones. #WinterIsComing

Lacognata, aka Guido, was born and raised into the flooring business back in Brooklyn, NY. Keith called on Spartan for a couple of years before being recruited to the team in 2016.

After a day in the trenches, Keith likes to wind down to a nice glass of red wine, listening to the Bee Gees and spending time with the family. He enjoys weekend getaways with his wife and kicking it with his two boys Anthony and AJ.

After years learning the ropes at Spartan’s HQ, Collin switched from customer service to sales in 2019 and started his new life as a Georgia peach. Slingin’ samples across the state, Collin has made a name for himself quickly and had fun doing so.

In 2020, Keating brought his love for surfaces and his love for beer together on one Youtube channel. Check out his weekly show Three Minute Thursdays!

After 23 years of marriage, two teenagers, and 17 years in the flooring industry, Craig has seen and dealt with it all. It’s going to take more than a crazy custom request to knock him off his feet. Whatever the project, whomever the client, Craig is the expert you want in your corner. No amount of time in the industry will make him stray from his daily goal: giving accurate, unbiased info to every client, no matter what.

Though Craig has a special place in his heart for Alabama football, he’s surrounded by UA all year ‘round. This alumna is proud to have his oldest rolling tide like Dad.

Cooch, Cooch Man, El Coocherino, Coochinator, Cooch Dog, The Cooch Monster – we could go on forever. As much as we love making up new nicknames for Scott, there is more to this equation. Cucci knows flooring.  He takes pride in learning the strengths (and weaknesses) of every product. Go ahead, ask him a question or request a sample. He’ll load up the Coochwagon and be right over!

When not cruising the Garden State making floor covering dreams come true, Scott loves hanging out with his two boys, Joey and Michael. Both are fanatical Giants, Yankees and LSU Tiger fans – just like their Daddy.

Started as an intern now he’s here in Richmond, ready to amp up Spartan in Virginia. After getting his rep feet wet in the Carolinas, Connor is excited to use his knowledge of the industry in his new territory.

Connor is what we like to call a slow burn. While shy at first, Connor is quick to show off his fun side – it won’t be long before your Richmond Spartan rep doubles as your after work beer buddy.

After spending three years in the DC area, Jake jumped at the opportunity to move home to land of sweet tea and Bojangles.  Fully caffeinated with a belly stuffed full of biscuits, Clary is ready to #REPRESENT in the Carolina’s. Jake comes to Spartan with experience as a flooring contractor, specializing in Healthcare with a not-so-low-key love for tech specs and installation methods.

Shawn’s not your ordinary southern gentleman. He’s been around the block, starting his flooring career straight out of college, moving from the East to the West, and back again. He knows this industry like the back of his hand, and we’re excited to have Shawn on board in the Carolinas!

Despite being a Carolina local for almost 20 years, Shawn holds strong to northern roots with sharp sarcasm. Good habits die hard.

A year into Spartan’s Midwest expansion, we’re excited to welcome new team member, Colin O’Donnell. Bringing seven years of flooring experience, Colin is ready to rock in his new role.

In the blistering cold Chicago months you might find Colin and his Fiancée eating at a new restaurant hot spot or running down Lake Michigan during the humid Midwest summer. A self proclaimed HUGE Detroit sports fan, O’Donnell is known to have serious conversations with players while sitting comfortably in his living room cheering for his Detroit teams. Lions and Tigers and Red Wings. Oh my!

Windy City native, and a lifelong Chicago sports fan, Kelli joins the Spartan team with nearly 3 years of experience in the industry. With a previous career as a middle school PE teacher and high school cheerleading coach, she brings energy, charisma, and some serious drive that comes in handy in her bustling rep lifestyle.

When she isn’t cheering on Da Bears, Da Hawks, Da Cubbies, or exploring Chicago’s latest and greatest restaurant, Mildren and her rambunctious puppy Dublin are out and about going to parks and running by the lakefront.

Born and raised in Hudson Valley, a die-hard Yankee and Giants fan, Brady is a New Yorker through and through. He has done and seen it all, from co-owning a bar to a paving company, even owning a car detail shop – only to find true love in the architecture industry. With just over 18 months in the industry, Brady joined Spartan’s NY Metro team in Spring 2018.

Purcell has an undying love for Pizza and IPAs, but nothing compares to his love for Benson the Beagle. He gets a rush from the NY minute, but nothing beats blasting country songs in his Diesel Silverado.

Christopher, the Cork Dork of New York, is a child of the floor covering industry. With over three generations in the business, he was destined to carry on tradition.

Even in his free time, Christopher lives and breathes flooring. With almost 20 years as a member of the ASTM Resilient Flooring Committee and 6 years as Chairman of FCICA he has a true passion for the industry.

Almost a quarter century ago, Keith Knecht found his way into the flooring industry. Fuzzy stuff, hard stuff, shiny stuff, matte stuff – Knecht has been there and knows that.

Keith prides himself on maintaining a great balance in life. In his free time, he likes to exercise (sometimes) and drink martinis and smoke cigars (all the time).   Most of all, Knecht loves to be with his family in the Adirondacks.

Doug took the flooring industry by storm in the mid-eighties. Since his debut, he has worked with several reputable firms making the move to Spartan in early 2011. Having previously had only one product in his bag, Doug is swimming in the great flooring alternatives at his fingertips.

Doug ends each day with some physical activity. From running to lifting, basketball to softball, tennis to a round of golf, Fulmer enjoys staying on the move.

Whether you’ve known Spartan for years or this is your first introduction to our crew, it’s obvious we’re full of characters. DING. Bring in the ringmaster, Mr. Tim Dormer. Tim came to Spartan in January 2013 with the official title of “VP of Sales” i.e. manager of the troops.

Married with two children, Tim loves spending time with his family, weekend escapes to the Jersey Shore and an early morning round of golf.  When the sun goes down, Dormer is overcome with Disco Fever. You should be dancing, YEAHHHH!

Ray came to Spartan after a long and illustrious career in the automotive collision industry. Now, he heads up Spartan’s recent venture into the retail space.  If you are a retail dealer in need of product displays, samples, or information, Ray Ray Cool J is your man.

Ray and his beautiful wife Misia like to unwind on the weekends watching their son Jake get after it on the soccer and baseball fields.  He can also be found experimenting with various flavors of vodka.  Needless to say, Szech makes a mean Orange Crush.

Chuck is a sponge for information. He came to Spartan in January of 2011 after eight years in concrete self leveling. Nine months in he can spout off technical information like he has been here for years.

Chuck is spunky and loves his oatmeal lumpy.

Though Neil can sometimes seem shy, one night on the dance floor with Spartan was enough to let his wild side shine.  When hitting the streets of DC, Neil brings both sides of his personality to the table.

On weekends, Neil is all sports all the time. If he’s not watching his favorite teams on ESPN, he’s outside reminding the rest of us that we’re never too old for pick-up games.

With over 15 years in flooring, Spartan snagged this flooring aficionado in Winter of 2016. Coming from L’evate group, Suzy’s experience with Spartan brands makes her a force to be reckoned with in the DC Metro market.

McGarity occasionally exits the flooring world to take gold in Olympic swimming and volleyball! Well…her neighborhood Olympics! When she’s not kicking some community butt, she’s out walking her 14 year old yellow lab, Abby.

Anthony, a native Long Islander, moved to Maryland and started his flooring career in 2005. Coming from ten years in the investment banking world, Anthony was well prepared for the fast paced world of interior specification.

At first, Anthony’s clients thought he sold caulk, rather than cork. Today, Ferrante tells himself he is starting to lose his New York accent, but we’ll let you be the judge.

Kevin found his way into the flooring industry in 2005 after working for Loudon County school district teaching physical education and health. Dunn enjoys cruising around his DC territory ending the day with a drink and view with clients at the waterfront.

Kevin is an expert dodge ball player and is well prepared to teach his two little ones the values of “saying no”.

Several years out from being fresh meat, Danny is now at the top of his surfaces game.  With the drive and energy of an untamed stallion and the teachings of DC’s finest reps, Danny has quickly learned the ropes of the flooring world.

After a long day’s work, Danny takes joy in the little things, like eating the brown crunchy pieces in Chex Mix, taking the outside blocks in a game of Jenga, and spending time with his cats, Tornado and Apple.

Danny was born and bred in flooring. His father, who owned and operated a floor covering company in upstate New York, had him working on job sites by the age of eight. At Spartan, we all know Danny as our hardwood guru. From application and installation to aesthetics and performance his brain is the world wide web of wood flooring.

Danny is half twelve, half eighty and sometimes somewhere in between.