davidc@ccr-mag.com
April 4, 2018
The National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA), the world’s largest tile contractor association, will hold its Sixth Annual Awards Ceremony on Thursday, May 10th, during Coverings 2018 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA.
The program includes a cocktail and dining reception, followed by the association presenting special awards to industry leaders. Included in this year’s agenda will be:
• Best Practice Award for Committee Leadership
• NTCA emerging leaders named to the Coverings Rock Star Program
• Five Star Contractor Program Projects of the Year
• Joe A. Tarver award for Service to the tile industry.
• Tom Ade Youth Scholarship Awards
The Tile Council of North America, a sponsor of the Awards Program, will also honor a deserving individual with a very special leadership award.
Highlighting the event, the NTCA 2017 Tile Person of the Year Award will be presented to Christopher Walker, Vice President of the David Allen Company. Chris has logged more than 32 years as a professional manager and installer in the tile Industry and has successfully managed the successful installation of millions of feet of commercial projects.
A recognized industry expert, Chris also serves the industry as 1st Vice President of the National Tile Contractors Association, Chairman of the American National Standards Institute A-108 Committee, Chairman of the US Technical Advisory Group for ISO T-189, Board of Directors – Associated Builders & Contractor (ABC) of Virginia, as well as having been a voting member of the NTCA and TCNA Handbook and Technical Committees for many years.
“I’ve been blessed to be involved with the groups in our industry who focus on training and standards for the benefit of the professional installation contractor.” stated Walker. “Being recognized by my peers with this distinguished award is both humbling and validating. I am lucky to have had the chance to work with these groups and to have potentially had a small impact on our industry.”
“The NTCA very much reflects the changes that are occurring in the marketplace today. We work with other industry groups who support the need for education and training to support the evolving technical demands of specialty tile installations,” continued Walker. “Tile installations are becoming much more complex and demanding. The growing use of Gauged Porcelain Panels has allowed allied product manufacturers to produce a whole new array of technically superior products completely different than materials used when I was first introduced to the industry. This represents a real opportunity for growth in our industry. Tile is now being specified where it may never have been considered before.”
“Being involved with the NTCA,” concluded Walker,” and with other industry associations like the TCNA, & ANSI, I hope to continue to be involved with standards development and more importantly, support the groups and associations that assure we practice best methods. There is a collaborative effort to move the industry forward with growth and strength. With the manufacturers and allied suppliers support, labor has been able to coordinate its voice within the last decade, and by doing so making a real impact. I am proud to think I may have played a small part in that.”’
NTCA is a non-profit trade association serving every segment of the industry, spearheading education for the professional installation of ceramic tile, natural stone and allied products.
For more information, please contact NTCA executive director Bart Bettiga at bart@tile-assn.com, via telephone at (601) 939-2071, or visit www.tile-assn.com.
