The Owners
RuthAnne Gilbert started full time with Gilbert’s Carpet’s Plus Color Tile in 2000. She coordinates the financials for the Company and is the brain behind the computer system and other store technologies. She also helps in the up keep of the products sold in the store.
Tom and Dawn Gilbert who are two of the owners, were both born and raised in Big Rapids. They were then married in 1987 and now have three children. They have been in the floor-covering business for all of their adult lives, and are very happy with their career choice! They both gain great satisfaction in helping the local community choose quality flooring. As the owners their main focus is making the customers and employees happy.
Clerical
Judy Sheldon was introduced to the floor covering business in the late 1960's when she and her husband opened a carpet store in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. Then in 1973 Judy and her husband moved to the Big Rapids area and open U.S. Contract Carpets. She then retired in 1988 for two years and began working at the Ferris Book Store and managed The College Store before coming to work at Gilbert's Carpet’s Plus Color Tile in 2002.
Warehouse Manager
Alfred Drew was born in Grand Rapids in 1959, however was raised and educated in Big Rapids. Alfred (Al) went to school with two of the store owners' George and RuthAnne Gilberts. He then married his high school sweetheart, and they have been married for 28 years. In 1979 he joined the US Navy the, "SEABEES" and had the privilege of seeing 21 different countries. He has worked very hard and in-turn has had a fortunate career. Al retired from the Navy in 1999, and worked several other jobs before starting at Gilbert's Carpets Plus Color Tile. He has been with the company for ten years as the warehouse manager. He also enjoys hunting, fishing, carving walking sticks, making wire trees, watching movies and boating with his wife.
Sales Staff
Tori Foster is one of three valued sales staff of Gilbert’s Carpet’s Plus Color Tile. She has two children, Courtney and Branden, and they have lived in the Newaygo area and really enjoy the surrounding communities. She has been in the floor covering industry for 11 years, and the last three years have been with Gilbert’s Carpet’s Plus Color Tile. I am having such a great time working with the people of the Big Rapids area. Thank you so much to past and future customers.
Colleen Tabaczynski was born and raised in Dearborn, Michigan, and moved to
Central Michigan in 1992 and loves it! She has been married to her husband Greg for 32 years, and together they have 30 year old twins and four grandchildren. She has been employed by Gilbert's Carpets Plus Color Tile for the past eight years and enjoys working with people and helping them make their homes, offices, places of worship, and education as comfortable and beautiful as possible. She feels this job has allowed her to use skills such as; sewing, home economics, retail and sales classes she has attended, and her community involvement. She has been able to roll all of these things into her work.
Joseph Kukla is 25 years old, and one of three valued sales staff at Gilbert’s Carpets Plus Color Tile. He has a lot of experience in the floor-covering world. Joe has the benefit of knowing practical application with the installation of most everything that is sold in the flooring industry. He is savvy in the industry and always puts the customer’s best interest first. He is a family man and is married with two children.
