Celebrating Excellence: Meet the 2026 Starnet Dream Team Winners
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Starnet is proud to announce the winners of the 2026 Starnet Dream Team awards, celebrating the power of collaboration between our member contractors and preferred vendor partners. These three teams exemplify the trust, technical expertise, and shared ambition that define the Starnet community, proving that when we work together, we don’t just complete transactions—we build something meaningful.
A Legacy of Technical Mastery: Sarah Strange & Ben Bieker
With a partnership spanning nine years, Sarah Strange (Estimator/Project Manager at Poindexter Flooring, Inc.) and Ben Bieker (Sales Professional at ARDEX Americas) have built a foundation of proactive, solutions-oriented service. Ben distinguishes himself by acting more as a partner than a vendor, often meeting individually with team members during site visits to identify challenges before they become costly delays.
Their synergy has been critical for high-stakes healthcare projects, such as the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital and a Health Science Administration Building contract. During the Level 7 NICU Expansion, the duo successfully navigated extensive floor preparation challenges that threatened the schedule. By leveraging ARDEX’s technical expertise and flexible communication styles—ranging from texting millennial staff to phone calls with ownership—this team ensured seamless execution in sensitive environments where delays were not an option. Sarah’s growth into a “dominant force” in the industry has been accelerated by Starnet’s education and training programs, showcasing the long-term value of these vetted network relationships.
The Strategic Hunters: Corey Barton & Jen Maynard
Corey Barton (Business Development Manager at Jack Laurie Group) and Jen Maynard (Senior Account Executive at Milliken & Company) have spent three years refining a relationship-driven approach that Corey describes as working with a “trusted coworker”. This team is defined by a “hunter” mindset, actively seeking growth opportunities and prioritizing long-term value over transactional wins.
One of their standout achievements involved a new corporate headquarters with an extremely tight timeline; they successfully delivered quick-ship products with a three-day lead time by combining Milliken’s specification expertise with Jack Laurie Group’s logistics capabilities. For a public library project facing budget cuts, they utilized on-site renderings to help decision-makers visualize how a creative, value-driven carpet solution could transform the space without a full renovation. Their success is fueled by Starnet-enabled data initiatives and cooperative purchasing tools like Sourcewell, allowing them to engage end-users with intention and transparency.
Community and Connection: Amanda Stertz & Jenny Derrett
The partnership between Amanda Stertz (Soft Flooring Division Manager at Antex Western) and Jenny Derrett (Account Manager at Milliken & Company) is a “customer-first” powerhouse that focuses on emotional connection and community impact. In their three years together, they have shifted their focus toward Indigenous-designed projects, creating unique proposals that resonate deeply with clients.
Their work on the Assiniboine Credit Union rollout—covering over 55 locations—began when an Indigenous-designed “Nibi collection” post on LinkedIn caught an architect’s eye. For the South Beach Casino, an Indigenous-owned facility, the team coordinated complex 24/7 installations during off-peak hours to avoid disrupting operations. Amanda and Jenny’s success stems from a commitment to “story-driven” flooring and a refusal to point fingers when challenges arise; instead, they pivot quickly, using joint training and early engagement to shape specifications before bidding even starts.
Why These Partnerships Matter
Starnet is deeply grateful for these partnerships These winners demonstrate that a commitment to excellence and a shared vision can turn unforeseen site issues into demonstrations of capability and budget constraints into opportunities for creativity. We celebrate Sarah, Ben, Corey, Jen, Amanda, and Jenny for their dedication to elevating the commercial flooring industry through trust and tireless collaboration.