Dan Yorke: A Hardwood Life

By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter

DANVILLE — When Dan Yorke decided to expand his carpeting business to include hardwood flooring, he saw it as a lucrative opportunity to benefit from a growing trend. What he didn’t realize, however, is just how challenging the endeavor would prove to be. “I found out that working with hardwood is a lot more complicated than cleaning and installing carpet, which is what I originally planned to focus on when I opened my business,” he recounts. “It proved to be a pretty sharp learning curve, and it took us a few years to get a handle on it.”

Despite the rough initiation, Dan’s business gradually grew to excel at hardwood installation—so much so that he eventually sold the company’s carpeting division. Today, Dan says he’s proud that Danville Hardwood Company Incorporated continues to be one of the East Bay’s most trusted hardwood flooring contractors. “We really shine next to our competitors because many of them simply don’t know what they’re doing. With high-end homes in particular, people want to feel comfortable with a company’s level of knowledge and experience, which is why many local homeowners choose us.”

A longtime resident of Danville, Dan says he appreciates the close-knit character of his local community. “My wife, Laura, and I have many roots in Danville. We raised our three sons here, and I’ve personally served as president of the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce. After many years in business, our company has a lot of appreciation for the support our community continues to give us.”

Outside of work, Dan engages in a variety of hobbies, including salmon fishing and crabbing, gardening, and taking on home improvement projects. When he’s not in a boat or at home, he can often be found enjoying a meal at his favorite local restaurant, Pete’s Brass Rail. In addition to his everyday hobbies and pastimes, Dan likes taking trips to visit his three grown sons, Teddy, Ben and Sam.

When asked the first thing he’d do if he could retire tomorrow, Dan says he’d spend more time both at home and abroad. “I work an awful lot, so my wife and I don’t get out as much as we’d like. Even when I do travel, it’s usually for business. So, if I retired tomorrow, I’d spend more time pursuing some of the activities I enjoy, as well as see some more of the world.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: What’s your favorite season and why?
A: Summer, because I love the heat.

Q: What’s your favorite kind of tree?
A: Hickory. It’s nice to look at, and the wood is very durable and versatile.

Q: What animal best characterizes you?
A: A Golden Retriever, because I’m loyal, loving and friendly.

Q: Would you rather live in the city or the country?
A: The country.

Q: What do you read most: fiction or non-fiction books?
A: Non-fiction books.

Bryan Keding: A Flooring Focus

By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter

CONCORD — Bryan Keding entered the home improvement field as a young man, but it wasn’t until he joined forces with his brothers that his career really took off. “I started as a house painter,” he recounts. “My two brothers, Kreg and Reggie, also worked in the home improvement industry, and we eventually decided to go into business together. In 2007, we started a home remodeling company and later narrowed our focus to flooring installation. After some time, we realized we could provide better service if we had more control of the material side, so we added a franchise that would allow us to sell flooring as well as install it. Today, as the Concord franchise of Floor Coverings International, we’re basically a one-stop shop for all flooring needs.”

As manager of Floor Coverings International, Bryan says his favorite part of his job is bringing his customers joy. “I love seeing the smiles on our customers’ faces when they see their new floors. That’s a huge part of why I do what I do.”

A resident of the North Bay Area (where he lives with his wife, Lilianna, and their two children), Bryan spends his time outside of work on a variety of pastimes. “I enjoy snowboarding and amateur car racing,” he details. “I have a Subaru STI that I take to Sonoma Raceway—it’s a lot of fun to drive it on the track.” Besides his personal hobbies, Bryan enjoys spending time with his family doing activities such as hiking and attending local fairs and festivals.

In regard to a professional philosophy, Bryan espouses the importance of being true to your word. “Honesty and integrity are huge factors for me,” he explains. “I take care of our customers above all and make sure we provide them with exactly what we promise.”

When asked the first thing he’d do if he were to retire tomorrow, Bryan says he’d do some traveling. “I’d probably start by taking a trip to New Zealand or maybe travel through Europe. My wife speaks a few different European languages, so that would be really helpful.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: What’s your favorite local restaurant?

A: Il Davide in San Rafael.

Q: Music or talk radio?

A: Probably talk radio, but I also enjoy music and sometimes my ears need a rest from all the talking.

Q: What’s your favorite sports team?

A: The San Francisco 49ers.

Q: What were you most known for in high school?

A: Mostly sports—I played basketball and football and ran track. However, I was also known for being good at math. I’ve always enjoyed geometry and it’s neat that I’m still using those skills in my career today.

Q: What’s your favorite snack?

A: Spicy chips. Paqui has a flavor called Haunted Ghost Pepper that I really like.