People

Smile unrivaled, Tim is HQ’s sweetest man alive. From HQ’s open to close, go to Tim to turn your frown upside down. Starting in Samples and now working in the warehouse, Tim is the one who loads your Cobalt into the truck so your project gets installed on time.

At home, Tim is the male version of Snow White. Animals seem to make their way to him. Flowers bloom around him. He grows his own vegetables. He has no need for seven dwarves. He is every man.

Joining Spartan mid-pandemic, Creed slid into the team with ease, learning everything she could and mastering an impressive amount of industry specific tasks.

Now, Creed is a pro at wearing many hats and loves to help in all departments. At home, Lindsay is a mom of three youngsters and can be seen running around town with a crazed smile.

A Spartan OG, Ken Mann has the rare quality of somehow being in a good mood all the time but sounding negative about it. Managing data entry, Ken works to ensure all customer service orders are entered and placed correctly in the system.

On the weekends, Ken is at home, swimsuit adorned, drink in hand, hanging by the pool and telling his kids that they’re old enough to figure out their own dinner.

Beginning his Spartan career in the warehouse, Lavrich was known early-on as a jack of all trades. Since then, Lavrich has settled into customer service and has spent years giving support with a smile.

Outside of Spartan (and sometimes for Spartan), Lavrich is a woodworker. Founder of Bel Air Woodworks, Mike has made his passion for wood turning into a small business. Check out his work here!

Though we know Spartan’s main office did function before Michelle Schmand joined the team, we don’t entirely remember how we did it without her. From assisting the CEO to managing the phones, to maintaining all workspaces, to juggling the needs of every employee during a pandemic, Michelle’s daily to-do list is a wonder to behold.

Out of office, Schmand is either cuddling with her nieces, playing with her golden retriever, Dude, or changing her hair color.

Lexi joined Spartan fresh outta college in 2014, and quickly found rhythm on the Marketing team. Now Meredith and Lexi are Spartan’s dynamic marketing duo, helping the sales team with something new every day.

Although Lexi constantly has workouts on her calendar, she is more obsessed with workout gear than she is with actually going. That being said, nothing stops her from attending cheer practice all year round, where she will happily spend hours coaching her team for their next competition. Lexi is the perfect balance of sparkles and cheer bows with an aggressive obsession for all things Star Wars and outer space.

From the very beginning, Rob has worked hard to singlehandedly make Spartan’s warehouse the high functioning adult it is today. Now, Rob works directly with customer service and distribution to manage the warehouse and its staff.

Outside the HQ, Rob goes back to the HQ…to kill it at Spartan Sports. On weekends, he’s spoiling his only daughter, Miley.

A well known Spartan favorite, Emily came to Spartan’s Sample Department when the “department” was just a pile of loose samples on a wooden table in our old warehouse. We shudder at that past. Since then, Emily has turned Samples into Spartan’s most well-oiled machine. We save money. We give clients samples. We get them there on time. And we look great doing it.

Off the clock, Emily enjoys time with her girlfriend in their new house. She loves beer and coloring and other wonderful therapeutic pastimes.

Bringing Spartan into the video age, Chris Judd joined the team in 2018 and quickly made a name for himself as EMF extraordinaire. He has a passion for everything that requires a lens, and can out-create us all.

At home, Chris is a proud DIY expert, husband, and cat-dad. Whether it’s Spartan or home related, you’ll always catch him working to improve.

Spartan HQ’s personal ray of sunshine, Gabrielle joined Spartan in 2019 with the hopes of taking our Corporate Development to the next level. Since then, Amig has been a smiling face in an office where the door is always open. She brings new ideas and fresh takes on old favorites.

After work, her three kids keep her on the move. One of six herself, Gabrielle loves a big family and thrives in organized chaos.

Taking on a totally new role within Spartan, Nelson joined the team in Spring 2017 as Director of Corporate Development. With years of experience in the business world, Spartan is excited to embrace Nelson’s new ideas for enhancing company culture.

When he’s not whistling tunes down the hallway at Spartan’s HQ, Nelson is coaching his rec basketball league, whose winning record is nothing short of astounding. He keeps his team energized with positivity and upbeat teaching styles; characteristics that we often see in the office!

The master of data and online tracking, Rick came to Spartan in 2016 to heat up our back end sales game.  An expert in what we fondly call “business stalking” Rollins poo poos the amateur Facebook creep.  Armed with information, there is no hiding from the Rollinator! He knows when a project goes to bid, and which products will be hits with every client, by region. A true sales rep secret weapon.  Behind every successful Spartan, there’s Rick Rollins.

Meredith is a self-proclaimed gypsy, having moved up and down the east coast since childhood. After relocating to Baltimore, she landed at Spartan in early 2011.

Meredith loves everything creative and is having a ball telling Spartan’s story and spearheading our marketing efforts. She is a sucker for infomercials, believes treadmills are for rodents, and puts peanut butter on everything.

This pro golfer turned flooring expert is your one-stop shop for everything Spartan products. With 10+ years in the industry, Joey either knows the answer, or knows someone who does.

No matter the challenges of work, Joey knows how to kick back and relax. He has no problem putting his phone on BUZZZZ after a long day to enjoy watching his son hit one out of the park, or watch his daughter flip on the field with a baton in her hand.

In 2007 Kevin jumped ship from the corporate world with dreams of what Spartan could be. Jablon’s first priority was people – the hunt began. Since then, Kevin has partnered with the best teammates from New Jersey to Virginia and everywhere in between. For those of you who are curious, the name Spartan was born from Jablon’s alma mater, York College, where he and now several of our employees studied.

Kevin is always on the move. From running a business to his love for his wife and four children, spare time is merely a mirage.

Doug is an OG, having been with Spartan since early 2008. From the start, his role has played an integral part in Spartan’s day to day operations, managing nearly half of customer service and making things happen with a smile and an easy going attitude.

Doug’s Spartan story is an office favorite, having landed this job by calling Kevin “Mr. Jablon” and vetting a position in Jablon’s company before he even created Spartan. At any given time in the office, you can almost always hear “Hey Mr. Jablon! It’s Douggie Fresh from the club!”

Ben is the master of purchase orders and dealer questions. He spends 99% of his day on the phone taking names and making things happen.

Ben likes spicy chicken and sipping on Gin & Tonic. Ben enjoys live music, but his favorite pastime is twerking it out to Miley Cyrus. Ben has two children and a dog named Walter Sobchak. Ben loves Walter and Miley (and his children.)

As the man responsible for all Spartan’s big spenders, Adam hasn’t had a free minute since he joined the team in Spring 2014. After a full day of staring at spreadsheets and dolla dolla bills, you can find Adam on the golf course or spending time with his wife, Sarah and their newborn son, Andrew. Don’t let his professional demeanor fool you, on the weekends he lets his inner redneck shine by playing in the mud with his 4×4 mobiles.

Phil came to Spartan at the start of 2010 with an extensive dealer background. Carey is a valued trouble shooter on job site variables from installation to maintenance.

Phil loves pop culture and any show on ABC Family. He spent eight years as a lifeguard in South Jersey saving lives and making girls swoon. Phil is now a loving husband and father of two adorable little girls.

Wayne, AKA the self-proclaimed Mr. Happy, is here to solve all of your flooring problems. No matter the question or project, it’s likely to fall under Wayne’s umbrella.  From ordering to material delivery, he is your go-to man.

While grinding it out in the office, Wayne’s often daydreaming of sunny days on the golf course and winning wagers on the craps table.  Gimmie that YO!

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.

Leslie has learned and loved the hospitality design industry for over 15 years. Working closely with Marriott, and serving on the board for NEWH, Leslie developed a passion for design and bringing it to fruition.

Outside the industry, Leslie is a proud soccer mom, spending countless weekends with her husband, David, cheering on their three kids in soccer, basketball, and lacrosse. Whether she is working or at soccer games every day she battles a constant desire for fries – combatting it with healthy yet less fulfilling sustenance (AKA lettuce).

Spartan and The Boyle Group NY have teamed up to better serve the Upstate NY area, covering 18 counties in northern NY: Franklin, Clinton, Essex, Hamilton, Warren, Washington, Saratoga, Herkimer, Otsego, Delaware, Greene, Columbia, Rensselaer, Fulton, Montgomery, Schenectady, Albany, Schoharie.

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

From furniture to quartz tile to fabrics, and everywhere in between, Nicole has seen it all. Spartan added Nicole to our Atlanta team in early 2018, bringing her 16 years of industry expertise. Nicole has an eye for design and loves to be a part of making a space come alive.

Quinn has a pug named Percy who loves Pizza almost as much as Quinn loves wine.

No matter the day, Katie’s got design on the brain. In the flooring industry, where a shade of gray can make or break you, Katie’s interior design background makes her a force to be reckoned with.

Outside the work life, Katie’s not afraid to keep it real. She loves to have a good time, but she’s got a lot to see and not enough days in the weekend. Thanks to her college years at West Carolina, Katie has mastered the Ghost, the Irish Goodbye, the French Exit. AKA she GONE before you know it. #byefelicia 

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!

Born and raised in the flooring industry, Josh has earned the title “Floorologist™” and plans to stick to it. From project engineering to healthcare contracting, Josh is stickler for the nitty gritty details.

Possibly more impressive than his flooring experience is his ability to pair Lit’l Smokies with just the right amount of Cheez Whiz. Top that off with a smooth boxed wine and Josh is set for the night.

Coming to Spartan after 8 plus years with Mohawk, Julie joined her #IRL partner Craig, in Spartan’s Nashville territory in Fall 2017. Julie has a passion for finding the perfect solution for every space and every project and loves that Spartan has the aesthetic and performance solution for (almost!) every application.

A UT Knoxville graduate, Julie rocks some serious school spirit and loves cheering on her alma mater football team. She loves spending time with her two kids (she thinks Craig is okay too.)

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.

In August of 2012, Michael and Kevin Jablon joined forces to form Spartan Surfaces Midwest.  Currently Vice President of Sales, Michael’s background ranges from National Sales Manager to Independent Agent, Green Manufacturing Consultant to Healthcare Initiatives Coordinator. Blasek’s experience takes flooring professional to a new level.  As a published floorologist, Blasek wrote the talk and struts the walk.

A Chicago resident, Blasek lives for long days (and crazy nights) on Lake Michigan. Boats, beers, soccer, beautiful wife, and a two sons named Michael II and Mason. Living the dream.

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.

Scott comes to Spartan with over 15 years of experience in the industry. Born and raised in Michigan, Scott loves anything that pulls him into all the outdoor wonders of aptly dubbed Mitten State. He’s an avid bicycle rider, participating in as many bike races as he can fit in a year, riding more than 2000 miles annually on roads and trails throughout Michigan.

He has a wife and two grown children, but the real ruler of the house is the family pup, Mrs. Bopperstein.

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.

After two years at HQ working on Spartan’s Customer Service team, Justin made moves to take his inside knowledge outside. Kicking off 2018, Gayo dove head first into dealer reppin’ and Philly livin’ and he’s in it for the long haul.

Justin loves watching college sports and he’s the first to get in on that fantasy league life, but his true love is golf. He’ll watch, he’ll play, he’ll buy enough polo shirts to fill a walk-in closet all by himself. Nothing beats a bright early start on the course.

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.