Don Finkell – Founder & CEO

Don Finkell founded American OEM Wood floors as a way of creating a business – and a personal legacy – for his children and grandchildren. The retired CEO of Shaw Hardwood and former CEO of Anderson Hardwood (acquired by Berkshire Hathaway-owned Shaw Industries Group in 2007), Don’s 30-plus years in the flooring industry includes a long list of market-leading product innovations, including pioneering highly designed and hand-scraped hardwood flooring.

A respected industry leader, Don is Vice Chairman of the Hardwood, Plywood and Veneer Association (HPVA), immediate past Chairman of the Hardwood Federation, an association of 25 hardwood industry trade associations dedicated to advancing the interests of the US hardwood industry in Washington DC. He is also past chairman of the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA), and Chairman of the NWFA Education and Research Foundation.

A tireless sustainability advocate, Don also serves on the NWFA Legislative Relations Committee and was responsible for the NWFA’s adoption of a formal stance against illegal logging, a move that ultimately led to the passing of the Combat Illegal Logging Act (commonly known as the Lacey Act Amendment).

Don has been recognized with the 2009 Green Step Award given by Floor Covering Weekly for environmental contributions to the floor covering industry, and with the 2014 Al Wahnon Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Floor Covering News.

Harry Bogner – Chief Operations Officer

Bringing 14 years of industry experience, Harry comes to American OEM after serving in senior manufacturing and operations positions at both Mohawk and Armstrong. His background includes extensive plant management in engineered and solid hardwood flooring, overseeing both, domestic and international, facilities. He also brings logistical and financial experience from outside of the wood industry, working as general manager for Sunbeam and in accounting for General Electric Plastics. His focus is on creating efficiency in the company’s manufacturing plants and throughout logistics and raw material streams. He also leads the office in Burns, TN.

Harry resides with his wife of 30 years in Nashville and holds a bachelors of science in finance from Auburn University.

Allie Finkell – Executive Vice President

The great-granddaughter of L.W. Anderson (founder of Anderson Hardwood Floors), Allie Finkell has spent her life immersed in the hardwood flooring industry. Following early career sales and marketing experience in New York City, Allie eventually joined the family business, taking on a sales position covering the Northeastern US. During that time, Anderson was acquired by Shaw Industries, and Allie helped lead the introduction of hardwood, laminate, ceramic and vinyl into Shaw’s commercial product offering. In 2013, Allie took on the role of Director of Marketing for Mohawk Industries, building another commercial hard surface program from the ground up.

Allie followed her family roots back to hardwood in 2014 when she joined American OEM as executive vice president, helping grow the Anderson-Finkell legacy of beautiful, enduring American-made flooring for the next generation.

A graduate of Furman University, Allie holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics.

Carr Newton – Executive Vice President – Sales

Prior to Joining American OEM, Carr Newton has served in senior sales and marketing positions at both Shaw Industries and Anderson Hardwood Floors. In his most recent position as Vice President of hardwood and laminate, he had responsibility for managing multiple product categories and sales channels, as well as, product development, supplier strategy/relations, and inventory management. Bringing over 20 years flooring experience to the team, Newton is responsible for the overall strategic planning and execution of sales for all products and channels of American OEM. He resides in Nashville, TN and holds a Bachelors of Science from Georgia Southern University.

Doug Van Nest – VP Manufacturing

Doug Van Nest has worked in manufacturing for over 20 years, with 13 years experience making hardwood inside prison facilities. He began his flooring career working as an engineer and quality control manager, and joined our family in 2004 as the Anderson Hardwood plant manager at Tyger River Correctional Facility. After working for a equipment company, Doug returned to our team to oversee manufacturing operations for American OEM with his team of industry veterans. An Ohio native, he holds a degree in Engineering from Ohio University and Hocking College.

Michael Standridge – VP Of Design

Originally from the northeast, Michael studied sculpture and graphic design at Central Connecticut State University. He spent his early artistic career painting murals and creating high end decorative cabinet/furniture finishes, where he met American OEM founder and then CEO of Anderson Hardwood Floors, Don Finkell. Don recruited Michael to join Anderson where he spent 10 years leading Product Development/Design, and later, for Shaw, after the acquisition in 2008. Michael has also designed countless floors for international markets, like China and South America. He joined our team at AOEM in 2014, and has continued his innovative legacy through the development of all running line products, constantly pursing the looks of the future rather than looking backwards. He resides with his wife and three daughters outside of Nashville, and enjoys woodworking and creating decorative wood products, which he sells through his company/ecommerce platform, American Echoes.

Randy Schrecengost – VP Of Sales

Randy comes to American OEM with over 30 years experience in the flooring industry. Throughout Randy’s career, he has served as the vice president of sales/distribution for a company that was both manufacturer and distributor. His experience lies in sales, sales management, and setting up private label carpet programs and the distribution of hard surface products. Randy’s experience on both sides of the channel makes him a strong resource to our customers. He is based in Pennsylvania where he resides with his wife. They have 4 children and love spending time hunting and fishing.