Conner's life in the industry began when he was 8 years old, working side-by-side with his father in the family floor covering business. After serving in the Air Force with a tour in Vietnam, Conner returned to the U.S. to go to college and get married, eventually joining his father's flooring company.
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Don Conner, who has worked in the wood flooring industry in different roles for the past 44 years, most recently as technical director at the NWFA, has retired.
Conner's life in the industry began when he was 8 years old, working side-by-side with his father in the family floor covering business. After serving in the Air Force with a tour in Vietnam, Conner returned to the U.S. to go to college and get married, eventually joining his father's flooring company.
Don Conner instructing students during a NOFMA/NWFA/MFMA wood flooring school in March 1998 in Tunica, Miss.
Later Conner joined Harris Tarkett and worked his way to become vice president of research and development. In 2002 Conner joined Mullican Flooring as director of product and research development, also serving as director of training.
Conner (left) serving in the U.S. Air Force.
For many years Conner was involved with the NWFA, serving on its board of directors and helping develop the association's technical manuals and Installation and Sand & Finish Guidelines. For years he was a fixture as in instructor at the NWFA/NOFMA/MFMA schools, He also worked to establish the NWFA Certified Professionals (NWFACP) program, and in 2008 he joined the association's staff.
Conner with his wife, Melissa Conner.
In addition to his expansive knowledge about wood flooring, Conner is best known for his cheerful demeanor and bad jokes, which are myriad. Looking back over a lifetime in the wood flooring industry, he says he was fortunate to be able to make a career out of something he loved doing in an industry with such wonderful relationships. "The real jewel of our industry is not the industry; it's the people," he said.
Conner displaying his trademark wit.
During last year's NWFA Wood Flooring Expo in Orlando, Fla., Conner received the prestigious Industry Leadership Award, something only 10 other individuals have done before him. Moving forward, Conner is available for consulting, and he can be reached at (423) 557-4032 or [email protected]. Look for an article by him reflecting on some wisdom learned over decades in the industry in the upcoming February/March issue of Hardwood Floors.
All Things Wood Floor, created by Wood Floor Business magazine, talks to interesting wood flooring pros to share knowledge, stories and tips on everything to do with wood flooring, from installation, sanding and finishing to business management.
