History & Heros

I am so grateful to not simply have history, but heritage. From the 92 acre Oregon homestead my grandparents raised 12 children. They raised these children showing them the value of hard work. From an early age my Mom would milk the cows, tend to the hogs, & somehow still manage to be a kid. These values: hard work, honesty, humility, & kindness, continue to provide a foundation for our company. 

 

Raphael Hardwood Flooring began in 2001. It was a dusty garage & a long bed Chevy that helped to create what would eventually become the central valley's primary source for wood floors.

 

My love for installing & restoring antique floors began by working with Gary Rosene, owner & operator of Woodbridge Hardwood Co. in nearby Woodbridge, CA. From 1996-2000 Rosene took me on as an apprentice of where under his leadership we focused on high-end projects.

 

I remain indebted to Gary where through his role as my teacher and boss he instilled in me the ongoing need for excellence in every floor. It didn’t take long for me to realize that this is something I really enjoyed. I really enjoyed coming to work & likewise working with wood. With time, a dream was realized through the birth of Raphael Hardwood Flooring.

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My Dad

I am so grateful to not simply have history, but heritage. From the 92 acre Oregon homestead my grandparents raised 12 children. They raised these children showing them the value of hard work. From an early age my Mom would milk the cows, tend to the hogs, & somehow still manage to be a kid. These values: hard work, honesty, humility, & kindness, continue to provide a foundation for our company. 

 

Raphael Hardwood Flooring began in 2001. It was a dusty garage & a long bed Chevy that helped to create what would eventually become the central valley's primary source for wood floors.

 

My love for installing & restoring antique floors began by working with Gary Rosene, owner & operator of Woodbridge Hardwood Co. in nearby Woodbridge, CA. From 1996-2000 Rosene took me on as an apprentice of where under his leadership we focused on high-end projects.

 

I remain indebted to Gary where through his role as my teacher and boss he instilled in me the ongoing need for excellence in every floor. It didn’t take long for me to realize that this is something I really enjoyed. I really enjoyed coming to work & likewise working with wood. With time, a dream was realized through the birth of Raphael Hardwood Flooring.

​

Bob Romans

At the age of 11 it was Bob Romans my 5th grade band teacher that sparked an excitement of participating in music. Through his music teaching in the Lodi Unified School District that I felt able to conquer almost any task in front of me. It was these years that we had a blast with A Night on Bald Mountain, Shalom Aleichem, The Pink Panther, & Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. 

 

When other schools were working on their 12th arrangement of Twinkle Twinkle we were being exposed and challenged to perform Andrew Lloyd Weber! Rather than approaching his job with the disdain that would naturally be attributed to musicians left to instruct children with little or no musical aptitude, Mr. Romans, a gifted jazz musician took a different route. Mr. Romans took students aside specifically to encourage them, setting specific consistent goals and rewards.

 

Mr. Romans also encouraged his students to play as many instruments as possible. It was through this encouragement that I then explored the baritone & tenor saxophone. And rather than remaining content with our weekly elementary school practice he brought me into the Jr. high band while still in elementary school to perform more challenging numbers. Mr. Romans was not content with good enough but pushed his students.

 

I can remember one afternoon Mr. Romans remarking that he needed to speak to me after class. With trepidation, I waited near the door outside the portable teaching room of our 7th grade band room. at Woodbridge Middle School. After each student passed he then enthusiastically pressed me to explore the drum major position after my junior high school days with him were over. I can remember being blown away that someone believed in me that much!

 

He worked to develop musicianship not simply rehearse notes. It was through Mr. Romans that I developed a love of music appreciation that is sure to follow me throughout my life. Long after playing the saxophone in middle school auditoriums has ended.