 April 15, 2008 , 04:27 AM |
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Administrator
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: teh Ether
Posts: 2,526
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Topic: Steve Hardy, Extraordinary Flooring Professional
That Steve Hardy is even here to blush at our praise for him is a miracle. While driving to an inspection one day, his grandson in the back seat, an Elk changed his whole life. Almost complete paralysis was the result, but unwilling to succumb to this fate, Steve struggled painfully and worked hard to regain strength and mobility - such as it is.
Steve may be wheelchair bound, but he is still the complete professional when it comes to the flooring industry he fell in love with it in the early 70s. After joining the Painters union, Local 1710, in San Diego, he developed a competitive spirit and passed all the written and hands-on tests, graduating the apprenticeship earlier than most.
Not one to sit on his laurels, Steve continued his flooring education with seminars and schools all through his career. Trying various formats of business, he finally settled on hardwood and laminate installations, inspections and worked as a technical representative for Wilsonart. But wait, that's not all. Steve is also a CFI Master Installer and specialized in fine woven carpets.
Steve continues to work by sharing his great knowledge and skill as a CFI Certifier volunteer and by contributing his expertise and professionalism to us here at The Floor Pro Community and elsewhere.
Flooring isn't Steve's only passion though. At one time, he raced motocross professionally in Europe, built and raced dune buggies in Southern California and was an avid hot rodder and car builder.
Steve is also one of our humble heroes, having served his country in Vietnam. It is through his military service and the accident that has altered his life that got him involved in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. The Games are being held in Omaha, Nebraska, July 25 - 29, this year and Steve will be there participating. He is entering the bowling, archery, quad weightlifting and wheelchair slalom competitions. For this, Steve could use our support - and that support will be helping all the disabled Veterans at the Games.
If you would like to help sponsor Steve in the 2008 National Veterans Wheelchair Games, your donation is tax deductible. Please contact him via PM or email. I am sure he will be enormously grateful.
I would like to thank Steve for his support of all of us here at TFP and for sharing his passions and professionalism with us all. Currently, he resides in Phoenix, Arizona with his wife of 37 years. He has 2 daughters and a wonderful grandson. We wish you and yours all the best, Steve.
Last edited by TFP Admin : May 2, 2008 at 12:46 PM. Reason: grammar
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