About Spark

Fuse Alliance celebrates excellence in project design installed by its network members and is centered on flooring. Based on originality, quality of installation and design innovation, the awards represent outstanding craftsmanship, skill and expertise in the flooring industry. Winning projects are announced at the Fuse Alliance Annual Conference in the first quarter of the following year.

Mission

The mission of our Spark Awards is to honor the distinctive craftsmanship of a beautifully installed floor and champion the positive impact skilled contractors have on the built environment.

Our network is made up of some of the industry’s best and brightest flooring professionals. And, our Spark Award program gives us the opportunity to spotlight our standout members.

Categories

Above and beyond the 5 listed categories, our panel of judges will select one project to be named Best in Show, which will be presented at the Awards celebration each March at Fuse’s Annual Conference and will win $1,000!

SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW CLOSED!

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Judges

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  Mark Oliver

  EVP Merchandising and Operations
  Material Bank

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  Kelly Ennis

  Founding and Managing Principal
  The Verve Partnership

  Kelly Ennis, has been involved in the fundamental evolution of interior architecture in a varying degree of project types for over 25 years. With a full understanding of translating identity, business strategy and culture into the built environment, her expertise is, in nailing early on, how these three points impact community building, planning and ultimately design. Her unique experience gives her the opportunity to translate extensively, the future of design and changing trends in the built environment; with a true understanding of how those trends impact engagement, innovation, social structures and performance with in all types of organizations.

  In 2009, as the sole founding principal of The Verve Partnership, Kelly has self-funded and grown a design firm of one to a thriving firm of 10 over the last ten years.  This has been done with grit, determination, amazing team members and amazing clients.

  Kelly is involved in many industry and non-industry associations where she has chaired committees, led round-table panels, cycled over 1,000 miles and created an event benefiting, via a scholarship fund, students of Interior Design and Architecture.  She is a certified/licensed interior designer in many jurisdictions and holds a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art.

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• 

  Tom Marquardt

  President + Founder
  Marquardt+

  Tom is the president and founder of the interdisciplinary design practice marquardt+ here in Chicago. He also is an executive board member and past president of SBID (Society of British and International Design) and a professional member of IIDA (International Interior Design Association) and an executive circle member of the AMA (American Marketing Association).

  During his career Tom has been the recipient of both the IIDA Leadership Award of Excellence and the Interior Designer of the Year HIP Awards (Honoring Industry People) from Interior Design Magazine for his branded environments expertise. His work has been recognized with a variety of design awards here in the US and abroad and featured in publications including Abitare, Architectural Digest, Contract, Interior Design Magazine, Interiors + Sources, Objekt International, and Society Journal.

  Tom also taught a variety of undergraduate and graduate level college studio courses for over a decade at Harrington College of Design, including creating and teaching the first Branded Environments interdisciplinary design studio in the country. He subsequently taught Corporate Interiors at Columbia College. Tom continues to write articles and provide thought leadership thru professional and academic panels, juries, speaking engagements and social media podcasts addressing a variety of design industry and business subjects.

  “I have never been constrained by mediums or disciplines. From brand and marketing visioning and strategy to the built environment; from product and communication design to graphics – the common thread is my passion for problem solving and the experience to make it happen.”

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• 

  Seán Kendig

  Project Manager, Redevelopment
  Welltower™ Inc.

  Seán has over 25 years of experience in design, project management, and strategic planning for a wide range of clients, including Fortune 500 companies, law firms, health care, and hospitality providers, technology-driven clients, and select residential assignments. He developed and honed his craft at some of the country’s top architecture and interior design firms.

  He is passionate about design and has been actively involved in his community, taking on leadership roles with IIDA, IIDC, IDCW, and IFMA. Additionally, he has contributed his time and skills to a variety of not-for-profit community and national organizations, including volunteering as a tour guide for the Seattle Architecture Foundation.

  He was born and raised in Michigan, received his Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design from Michigan State University, and is NCIDQ Certified. He began his career in the Chicago design community prior to relocating to the Pacific Northwest.

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• 

  Susan Dwyer

  Co-CEO
  Hendy

  As Co-CEO at Hendy, Susan oversees the day-to-day business operations and fiercely leads the company to meet long-term goals alongside Co-CEO, Carolina Weidler. Exhibiting all the markings of a leader, Susan has played a significant leadership role at Hendy for many years. Collectively she has over 20 years of real world and industry experience which she taps into when mentoring the firm’s staff and while acting as a key decision maker. 

  As well as providing firm leadership, Susan oversees full-service interior architecture from space planning and programming to design and installation in Hendy’s Corporate Studio. Along her career path she has made an indelible mark on the communities she has touched and has a portfolio comprised of wellness initiatives, integrated technology, innovative open-office layouts, and collaborative workspaces. Susan is a licensed architect in 6 states.

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  Geoff Gordon

  Executive Director
  Fuse Alliance

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  Jerry Kenney

  Executive Vice President
  Fuse Alliance

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  Reva Revis

  VP of Strategy and Business Development
  Fuse Alliance

• 

  Sandra Drake

  VP Supplier Engagement
  Fuse Alliance

• 

  Dawn Martinelli

  Director of Operations
  Fuse Alliance