The Carpet Shoppe founder steps down after 44 years

Last edited 9:17 a.m., Feb. 20, 2014

The founder and general manager of The Carpet Shoppe Inc. is moving toward retirement after 44 years, and has named his successor as general manager.
 
Effective Feb. 1, Carpet Shoppe founder Dale Pearce appointed Kent Schnurbusch general manager. Pearce will continue to serve as owner and CEO of the company, said Schnurbusch, who noted the founder will continue to hold an office but will not serve in a day-to-day role at the roughly 40-employee shop, 1827 E. Seminole St.

"It's an honor for him to pass it on to me. I've got big shoes to fill, but I think I can do it," Schnurbusch said of becoming general manager.

First hired as an estimator and project manager for the company in May 1996, Schnurbusch has served as commercial sales manager and department manager since 2012. As general manager, Schnurbusch assumes the day-to-day operations and personnel management of the business, he said.

A 2010 finalist for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce's W. Curtis Strube Small Business Award, The Carpet Shoppe sells and installs services that include carpeting, vinyl and hardwood flooring, according to its website.

Reporter Brian Brown contributed to this story.