Meet the Team
Brandy Marsh, CEO of Area Floors
The founder of The Carpet Place recognized early on that employee Brandy Marsh would make a great business owner. After working in fast food and retail jobs while attending Portland’s Marshall High School, Brandy answered an ad at the school’s career center, and went to work doing clerical work, cleaning, putting away samples, and other odd jobs. After four years, owner John Rollin, who founded the company in 1967, asked if she would be interested in buying it. Brandy bought the company and its two stores in 2003, and continued to retain John as a consultant and mentor. When John died suddenly of a heart attack in the summer of 2004, Brandy realized that it was now all up to her to make the critical decisions. She quickly developed a passion for being a business owner, hiring and motivating employees. She became active in the Young Entrepreneurs Organization. Read more…
Kathy Parks, Lead Sales at the Foster Store
When I walked through the doors of the Carpet Place, now Area Floors, eighteen years ago, I was overwhelmed with the sheer amount of the products available. I knew I had a lot to learn, but I was also excited about the challenge. I have always had a mad passion to restore and decorate homes, particularly older homes. Now, I had vast amounts of products available to me, and I soon realized I could finally do what I had always loved. The flooring industry has given me many tools to use in creating new home environments. Read more…
Kathy Ballou, Accounts Manager and Salesperson at the Foster Store
I started with Area Floors, then known as The Carpet Place, a little over fourteen years ago. Previously I worked at Trim Tex, which is now called T and A Supply, for thirteen years, so I have been in this industry quite a while. I tend to like the technical and installation side of the business as much as I love the design end. I gained a lot of hands on experience when my contractor husband and I remodeled our home. We had a second story added and roughed-in, and then we took things from there. I have done all sorts of things from wiring plug-ins and lighting, to soldering pipes, installing hardwood floors, tiles, and miles of wood base. I have also worked on many jobs with my husband. I really love working with my hands. Read more…
Debbie Deadmond, Sales at the Foster Store
I have a background in retail as a manager of a well-known women’s clothing company and am excited to bring my retail experience to the flooring industry. I have always enjoyed working with the client, and helping the client look and feel good about themselves, and now I can bring my eye for fashion to the flooring industry. I have always had a passion for fashion and design and look forward to creating beautiful and comfortable looks and spaces for our clients. I have been at area floors for exactly 5 days now (started 9/14/11) and so far so good!!!!
Lindsey Ozmer, Accounts Payable & Marketing at the Foster Store
I started working at Area Floors right before the holidays. I am very excited to work here with such a great group of people, at an organized and creative company. I am taking over the accounting duties, working on the stores online presence updating our website, blog, newsletters and learning all about floors! My background is in computer science, from digital design to IT support. I have a degree in Computer Animation and in Art and Design. I love being creative and making new things. I have a great eye for design and color and I also love to paint. I have worked on a few commercials and music videos as a character animator. I also enjoy doing 3d visual arts, creating realistic scenes in 3d for just about anything.Read more…
Andrea Schieman, Sales at the Tigard Store
I have been with Area Floors for a little over a year now. I came in to the industry with very little flooring knowledge. I have learned about so many products and I enjoy every bit of it. It has been a great experience. I like working with everyone that comes in to Area Floors and enjoy the atmosphere there.
When I am not at Area Floors, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I have two incredible daughters that absolutely light up my life. My oldest, Lilly is 8 and she is the most adventurous and loves to draw; and my youngest is Makayla is two and is definitely in her terrible two’s! She is quite the character and is growing so fast! I am the second oldest out of six and I have four sisters and one brother. I am surrounded by the most wonderful family and amazing friends. Read more…
Kelsey Marsh, Sales at the Tigard Store
It has been an exciting transition for me and I have learned so much. This is my first experience in the flooring industry, although I have worked in a number of fields within the construction industry. I feel fortunate to be given the opportunity to start a new career in such a dynamic and ever changing industry and I really appreciate the people I work with who have been so patient and helpful to me as I transition into a new line of work. I enjoy working with the products we sell as well as learning about them from the reps and my co-workers. It is very rewarding putting together colors, textures and surfaces for customers that are going to use my ideas in their homes. I want them to be proud of the work we’ve done together.Read more…
