American OEM Celebrates Launch At Country Music Hall of Fame

Industry stalwarts Don Finkell and Wayne Cotton hosted a gala event during the National Wood Flooring Association's 2014 Wood Flooring Expo to celebrate the launch of their new company American OEM.

Don Finkell and Wayne Cotton, at right, pose with guests. Photo: David Stluka Photography

The party took place in downtown Nashville, Tenn., inside the Country Music Hall of Fame on April 17. An RSVP was received by some 135 of the co-founders's friends, family and industry peers, but about 250 people showed up, Cotton said.

They didn't turn anyone out.

"We were excited to be able to celebrate with them, and that they came and supported us," Cotton said. "It's nice to have a great venue and top-notch entertainment and great food, but it was nice to have our friends and family there. That felt really nice."

Jamie Lynn Spears took the stage later in the evening to sing a few of her new country songs, as well as her Billboard hit "How Could I Want More," before  walking the room to take photos with guests.

From left, Don Finkell, Jamie Lynn Spears and Wayne Cotton. Photo: David Stluka Photography

Entertainment for the night started with speeches from the co-founders and a time-lapse video showing the manufacturing facility, a warehouse the length of two football fields located at the Turney Center Industrial Prison in Only, Tenn., about a one-hour drive west from Nashville. American OEM product will be made by offenders at the prison; offenders are paid prevailing wages for the similar jobs in the area.

Representatives from the Tennessee Legislature and TRICOR, a quasi-public Tennessee agency charged with helping offenders gain job experience, also attended the celebration. Employed offenders are paid the prevailing area minimum wage.

Wayne Cotton and Don Finkell, fourth and fifth from the left, pose with guests. Photo: David Stluka Photography

"They were encouraged that we chose Tennessee… and thankful," Cotton said. "That facility had sat idle for a dozen years, so they were excited for someone to come in and move it forward."

The night was supposed to end at 10 p.m., but there was still a large group there when Cotton said he left at 11:30 p.m.

"The show of support was overwhelming," he said.