ARDEX Americas Hosts 2 Days to CIM Training Event and Regional Meeting in Stockton, CA

FCICA is excited to share it held a 2 Days to CIM training event and a Regional Meeting in Stockton, CA. FCICA member ARDEX Americas served as the host and sponsor of 2 Days to CIM Stockton, Wednesday and Thursday, March 18 and 19, followed by the Regional Meeting Stockton, a one-day educational and networking event, Friday, March 20.

Seven flooring professionals participated in the 2 Days to CIM training to become newly designated CIMs – Certified Installation Managers. Program mentor, Scott McDonald, CIM, Lansing Tile & Mosaic led the accelerated and intensive instruction. 2 Days to CIM, an in-person training, provided a supportive group learning experience and professional camaraderie. At the conclusion of the first day of training, ARDEX Americas invited the candidates to a local restaurant for dinner and socializing.

FCICA is pleased to congratulate its newest CIMs. The following professionals completed their Certified Installation Manager (CIM) training:

Graham Bowron, Rainbow Builders, Inc.

Mike Forcade, Diverzify National Accounts

Keri Holstein, Diverzify National Accounts

Ashlynn Kirk, Diverzify National Accounts

Jose Martinez, Commercial Flooring

Troy Sandlin, Diverzify National Accounts

Chris Sessum, E.C.S. Floor Covering

The Certified Installation Manager (CIM) Program, the only certification program available for floor covering installation project managers, sets the industry standard for those involved in the management of commercial flooring projects. The Program provides video training modules led by experts who speak from years of floor covering experience. Paired with assessments, the modules enhance the qualified flooring professional’s core skill set, experience and knowledge base necessary to successfully manage commercial flooring projects. Individuals who reach this level of expertise will be easily distinguished by their CIM designation. Launched in 2015, this certification program has graduated over 550 installation managers.

Regional Meeting Stockton 

The Regional Meeting Stockton followed the CIM training. Commercial flooring contractors and manufacturers convened for this one-day event featuring a tour of the ARDEX facility and four educational sessions with networking in between. Friday's program opened with a welcome from Terry Hall, Technical Field Representative, ARDEX. Thereafter, attendees learned about FCICA, member benefits and how it serves the commercial flooring industry through training and certification. The schedule included the following education sessions:

Ceramic Tile in the Commercial Environment presented by Terry Hall, CIM, Technical Field Representative, ARDEX Americas

Ceramic tile has long been a cornerstone of commercial construction, evolving from traditional fired‑clay products into today’s highly engineered surfaces designed for strength, durability, and design versatility. This presentation explores how modern tile technologies such as advanced porcelain formulations, digital printing and large‑format manufacturing, have transformed both performance and aesthetics in commercial spaces. We’ll review where tile excels in demanding environments, how installation standards have progressed alongside product innovations, and the critical considerations needed for long‑term success, including substrate preparation, movement accommodation, environmental conditions and proper material selection. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of how tile has advanced over time and what it takes to ensure reliable, high‑performance installations in today’s commercial settings.

Your Margin Bucket Has Leaks presented by Scott McDonald, CIM, President, Lansing Tile & Mosaic 

Maintaining a healthy gross margin throughout the life of a commercial flooring project has become increasingly challenging. It only takes a few major leaks — or a series of smaller ones — to turn a profitable job into a drain on company resources. From the standpoint of installation management and project execution, Scott will identify today’s most common sources of gross margin erosion during a commercial flooring project. He will break down the Top 5 margin leaks in detail and share practical best practices to plug them — helping you protect and maximize project profitability.

Flooring Failures and Independent Inspections presented by Roland Vierra, Principal, Flooring Forensics 

Floors are never as simple as they appear; neither are floor failures. Through the lens of a few recent inspections, Roland Vierra review the inspection process, reviewing different types of failure mechanisms as well as the methodology for discovery and analysis. A structured, repeatable approach to the inspection/investigation of any failure (residential or commercial) is a critical component of success. Roland will explain the methodology of data collection and pitfalls one can encounter on the way to discovering a cause for the failure as well as formulating a conclusion.

Moisture Basics – How and Why Does it Move presented by Don Jewell, Head of Technical, Loba-Wakol, LLC 

Moisture remains the number one cause of flooring failures, yet we are often confused or surprised by it. We will discuss the basics of moisture movement - how it moves through substrates, flooring and the environment. The goal is to enhance our understanding of the nature of moisture and be better prepared to address on the jobsite or at the least be less surprised by it

FCICA is very grateful to ARDEX Americas for hosting and underwriting these events and to their staff for their generous support, time and commitment to FCICA, the CIM Program and our regional outreach efforts. Special thank you to Terry Hall for working with FCICA to coordinate the training and Regional Meeting. Thank you also to the education session presenters for sharing their knowledge and expertise. 

FCICA initiated the regional meetings to connect with contractors and flooring professionals on a local level to provide learning opportunities, networking and share how to leverage membership benefits. The meetings are part of the organization's regional outreach efforts to engage current members and introduce the association to nonmembers. The Regional Meeting Stockton is the 11th such meeting FCICA has held. Previous regional meetings were held in Suwanee, GA (February 2026); Atlanta, GA (August 2025); Florence, AL (December 2024); Carlstadt, NJ (April 2024); Stockton, CA (February 2024); Baltimore, MD (October 2023); Suwanee, GA (August 2023); Wayland, MI (November 2022); Baltimore, MD (May 2022); and Atlanta, GA (April 2021).

FCICA will hold additional 2 Days to CIM training sessions and Regional Meetings. If you are interested in participating or hosting one of these events at your facility, please contact Catherine Church, FCICA Executive

Thank You to ARDEX Americas for hosting and sponsoring 2 Days to CIM and the Regional Meeting Stockton.