CTEF Introduces Regional Evaluators Program

Pendleton, SC, August 24, 2017-The Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF) has developed a Regional Evaluators (RE) program to expand the Certified Tile Installer (CTI) Program hands-on testing. The program is led by regional evaluator coordinator Kevin Insalato, who reports to Scott Carothers, director of training and education for CTEF.

“It is critical for the future of the tile industry that homeowners, architects, designers and commercial business owners have the option of qualified labor for their tile installation projects so the installations not only look beautiful, but also perform consistently over time,” says Carothers. “The CTI program was developed to provide that level of assurance to those seeking professional tile installers. With the Regional Evaluator program, CTEF can significantly grow the number of CTIs and the level of tile installation competence available across the United States.”

Regional evaluators are themselves Certified Tile Installers who take additional training to evaluate the hands-on portion of the Certified Tile Installer Program test. They must know how to set up the testing modules, conduct the hands-on test, score the 100-point evaluation, and assist installers in furthering their understanding of the proper installation of ceramic tile.

They are regionally based and able to organize and conduct hands-on testing within their region, which greatly expands the reach of the CTI program. This also means that installers no longer need wait until classes reach 10 or more students before they are able to take the hands-on portion of the exam and achieve industry-recognized certification and validation of their skills and knowledge.

Kevin Insalato of California Flooring in the Chicago area, serves as regional evaluator coordinator for the program and has kicked it off with the following sixteen regional evaluators:

Joe Kerber, CTI # 217, Kerber Tile Marble & Stone – Shakopee, MN

Robb Roderick, CTI # 727, NTCA Trainer – West Coast USA

Mike Corona, CTI # 923, Corona Marble & Tile, Woodbine, MD

Shon Parker, CTI #999, Hawthorne Tile, Portland, OR

Dave Rogers CTI # 1029, Welch Tile – Kent City, MI

Rafael Lopez, CTI # 1100, California Flooring – Manteno, IL

Mark Heinlein, CTI # 1112, NTCA Trainer – East Coast USA

Tom Cravillion, CTI # 1116, Cravillion Tile & Stone – Plymouth, WI

Matt Newbold, CTI # 1118, Elite Tile Setters – Lehi, UT

Triniti Vigil, CTI # 1144, J&R Tile – San Antonio, TX

Brad Denny, CTI # 1190, Nichols Tile & Terrazzo – Joelton, TN

Dan Hecox, CTI # 1215, Hecox Construction – York, NE

Jason McDaniel, CTI #1273, Stoneman Construction, Stafford, OR

Todd Kozey, CTI # 1285, Complete Contracting Services – Fraser, MI

Ed Siebern, CTI # 1289, Mourelatos Tile Pro, Tucson, AZ

John Mourelatos, CTI # 1290, Mourelatos Tile Pro, Tucson, AZ

The program will initially utilize sixteen REs and eventually include a minimum of 50 regional evaluators. For more information about the Regional Evaluator program, visit https://www.ceramictilefoundation.org/regional-evaluators