NTCA Announces 2022 Tile Setter Craftsperson of the Year Winners

Flowood, MS, November 23, 2022-The National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) has announced the 2022 winners of the NTCA Tile Setter Craftsperson of the Year awards in residential and commercial market segments. This year’s winners are Gabriel Cortez with Heritage Marble & Tile in Mill Valley, California for the residential award, and Triniti Vigil with J & R Tile of San Antonio, Texas for the commercial award.

Both will be recognized at the NTCA Ambassadors Reception at TISE in Las Vegas on January 30, 2023.

Cortez started with Heritage Marble & Tile in 1998, where his value as a tile setter was quickly realized. Through the years, Cortez has not only grown personally, but he has become a key player to the growth of the company. Today, Cortez not only sets tile but also mentors and trains up and coming tile setters.

Vigil started with J & R Tile in 2007. Today Vigil is the director of installation and training, but you can still see him on the job setting tile and active mentoring. Vigil is also known to educate the design community on the need for qualified labor. He is a CTEF regional evaluator for the CTI program.

To be considered for this honor, nominees were required to have a minimum of 15 years of installation experience and must still be setting tile today. They were evaluated on artistry, technical correctness, problem solving, continuing education, and mentoring or leading others.

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