Syosset, N.Y.— Antrim co-founder and vp for Antrim sales Fran O’Neill has retired from Stanton Carpet. He and Dan McGovern founded Antrim in 1997, importing and wholesaling hand-loomed carpet and rugs from India.

O’Neill stayed on after Stanton acquired Antrim in 2007, transitioning staff and helping to grow the business in the United States and Canada.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my almost 40 years in the flooring industry, and I am very grateful for the many terrific friends that I have made over the years,” said O’Neill. “I now look forward to a new phase of my life.”

O’Neill entered the business in 1971 as a salesman for carpeting retailer Beatty Carpet. In 1979 he went to work for Karastan and rose to the position of evp for sales and marketing for the retail division. He left Karastan in 1988 to join Congoleum as the svp of sales and marketing, leaving a little over a decade later to launch Antrim.

Said Jonathan Cohen, Stanton coo, “We sincerely appreciate all Fran has accomplished for our company in this short time period but can also fully appreciate and respect his decision to retire and spend more time with his family.”