Page 10 - Flooring Specialist Winter 2023

Ready for His Closeup: Thompson

Reflects on Working Behind-the-Scenes

By Michael Chmielecki, senior editor
PROJECT
PROFILE

eteran installer and trainer Roland Thompson, head His first foray into grueling television schedules was working
of the Delmarva chapter of CFI, is no stranger to on ABC’s hit show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” in the
Vtight deadlines. Starting his career in 1972, Thompson early 2010s. Someone at ABC contacted Carpet One about
has distinguished himself with his professionalism, deep an upcoming build, and was given Thompson’s name because
experience and love of mentoring younger installers. His he worked at one of their locations near the Washington,
impact is easy to see on several home improvement shows, D.C., area. “That was a joint thing where I brought in the
where the deadlines are even tighter than typical installations. Delmarva chapter,” Thompson recalled. “We knocked these
jobs out, myself and around 20-30 installers.”

From there he went on to installations in DIY Network’s
“Stone House Revival” and now Food Network’s “Restaurant:
Impossible.” Thompson said initially being part of these
shows was great marketing for CFI, since “almost everyone
that helped me would go on to become CFI members
afterward.” However, now he works on these shows “to help
people out, and to meet installers all over the country.”

He noted that it takes a special temperament to work under
such strict pressures. “When you walk in it’s the first time
you’ve seen the floor and they expect it done by morning.
There’s lots of starting and stopping, and working around
other people. You’re making trips to Home Depot. You’re
calling distributors. There’s no sleeping; it’s work all night.”

While he is well-known around the industry for his behind- Photos courtesy Roland Thompson
the-scenes work on home improvement shows, he is most
proud of the time and labor he and his crews have donated
to organizations including Building for America’s Bravest, the
Travis Mills Foundation and the Frederick County Students
Construction Trades Foundation.

10 Flooring Specialist Winter 2023