SIM CRISLER – AFFILIATE

WORK AND EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND 

• 1964 THRU 1972 – Worked part or full time as possible in the process of installing carpet. I was able to put my self through Georgia Tech in this manner. This provided a good grounding and understanding of the hand skills and physical demands required by this trade.
• 1972 – Graduated Georgia Institute of Technology – BS Chemistry
• 1972 – July – Joined Derring Milliken (now Milliken & Company) as a “management trainee” in the Central Dye Lab – Spartanburg SC. At this point, I was not aware that Derring Milliken was in the carpet business via the purchase of Callaway Mills of LaGrange GA in 1968.
• 1972 – November – Promoted to first line production supervision at Milliken’s Excelsior Union Plant in charge of dyeing double knit polyester
• 1973 – December – Transferred to Milliken’s Elm City Plant in LaGrange GA working in the dyeing of Cotton Yarn to manufacture jeans. This operation was shut down by Milliken in late
• 1974. This facilitated my entrée into the manufacturing side of the carpet business.
• 1974 – ca October – transferred to the Hillside Plant. This plant received raw fiber and converted that to a finished piece of carpet. Worked in the dye services area preparing dye mixes to several large continuous dyeing operations.
• 1975 – July – Moved into the in plant technical services area as a “process engineer” in charge of the application of backing and the finishing and shipping of all broadloom carpet. I oversaw the conversion of 100% of Milliken’s production from traditional Jute backing to ActionBac®
• 1976 – June – moved into the newly created Business Quality Assurance department. This department was tasked to reduce returns and allowances due to quality reasons. I was able to use my installation skills to prevent literally thousands of jobs from being returned. This involved extensive travel and direct contact with the dealer and the consumer in both the residential and the emerging commercial sector.
• 1998 through November 2003 – Worked as a project manager in the newly formed “turn key” division of Milliken. This area sold carpet as an installed product directly to the ultimate user of the product. As part of this process it was legally necessary for Milliken via one of its subsidiaries to become a licensed contractor in several states. This required me to travel to these states and pass tests on both business practices and on specific technical knowledge relating to the trade.
• 2003 – November – formally rejoined the Quality Assurance Department
• 1976 Through May 2005 – Traveled extensively on quality related issues dealing directly with dealers, designers, end users, architects, general contractor. This travel involved conflict resolution and settlement negotiation on problems relating to Milliken’s entire product offering in the commercial, residential and hospitality market segments. A portion of this travel also involved holding educational sessions, assisting in the start up phase of major projects and assisting the product development effort in the evaluation of new products. This travel continued through my tenure in the “turn key” area until my departure in May of 2005.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS, HONORS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

• Created and conducted Milliken’s Installation Contractor Certification program. This program was started in 1983. This is an educational and skills verification session held for on the floor installers who would be required to install Milliken’s product for the contractor to provide a certified labor product. Over 700 contractors have received certification via this process with over 3,000 individuals earning qualifier status.
• Received the “Excellence in Education” award from Milliken & Company.
• Served on the CRI installation committee since the mid 80’s. I was directly and actively involved in the creation of documents 104 and 105 and in their subsequent revisions.
• Associate Member on behalf of Milliken of the FCICA (Floor covering Installation Contractors Association) since its inception in 1982.
• Elected to two terms as chairman of the associate membership of FCICA.
• Served two terms on the board of the FCICA.
• Trustee of the FCIB (Floor Covering Installation Board) – served as chairman from 1997 through 2002.
• Associate member on behalf of Milliken of the CFI since 1992.
• Conducted seminars at the “Surfaces” trade show on pattern broadloom carpet.
• Conducted seminars on various subjects at both the FCICA and CFI national conventions.
• Published articles in Floor Covering Weekly, Installation and Cleaning Specialist, Floor Covering News, The Commercial Flooring Report as well as the newsletters of both the FCICA and the CFI.
• Completed requirements to become a Certified Flooring Professional as awarded by the WFCA.
• Initiated the introduction of furniture lifting technology – Levitate® – into the product offering of Milliken & Company.
• Oversaw the routine operation and distribution of the Levitate® technology.
• Completed testing and served as the qualifying individual on contractor licenses in CA, AZ, NV, NM, MS, VA, WVA, TN, AS, OR and LA.
• Participated in the initial meetings and strategy sessions of the “Flooring Industry Council” which has now become INSTALL – The International Standards and Training Alliance.

SUMMARY OF EXPERIENCE:

The vast majority of Sim Crisler’s work experience has been in the employ of a major carpet manufacturer for the previous 33 years. During a significant percentage of that time – 30 years approximately – his major task has been to turn the negatives associated with customer complaints, product concerns, installation shortcomings and a host of other negative conditions, into positives. This activity required extensive worldwide travel and direct contact with both distribution and end use customers.

During his career with this manufacturer he has had an unequalled track record in making this happen. His focus is always to find a solution that is a win for everyone. While doing this he has also concentrated on becoming involved with the entire flooring industry and through those efforts is recognized as an expert on the industry as a whole with specific emphasis on modular and patterned broadloom carpet as well as furniture lifting technology. He is also recognized for his straightforward approach and for always delivering an honest and even handed decision even when the facts of the case go against his employer.

Mr. Crisler has been involved in numerous litigations and is experienced in the courtroom environment should that type of activity be required in the course of solving an issue.