The National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA), the world's largest tile contractor association, recognized industry leaders at its Fourth Annual Awards Ceremony, during Coverings 2016 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois, April 18-21, 2016. Over 200 guests were present to see the NTCA honor two exceptional individuals for their dedication and leadership in the tile industry.

This year, the NTCA’S 2015 Tile Person of the Year Award was presented to Steve Young of Steve Young & Associates, located in White Plains, Georgia. An active and supporting member of the NTCA since 1978, Steve’s most significant contribution to the Association was his work during the early development years of the Association’s traveling workshop program. Working with Joe Tarver and other industry leaders, Steve traveled around the country educating contractors on installation techniques and new technology. Steve is also one of only two of the original members serving on the highly respected NTCAs Technical Committee, boasting a dedicated tenure of over 30 years. “Steve has served his industry and the NTCA for his entire career,” stated NTCA’s President, James Woelfel. “He is most definitely deserving of this recognition.”

*Photo Caption: Steve Young of Steve Young & Associates

Tim Curran, Co-President of the Curran Group, owners of Crossville Incorporated, received the prestigious Joe A. Tarver Lifetime Achievement Award, offered to a leader in the tile and stone industry who dedicates his/her career to advancing our trade. As Co-President of Crossville, a family owned business since 1918, Tim has supported a legacy of leadership at Crossville for more than 30 years in the industry. Crossville has a reputation for quality and customer service, and it is not uncommon for a distribution customer to say, “they are part of the Crossville family.” The leadership team at Crossville recognized the need for qualified installation and was the first company to support the NTCA Five Star Contractor Program. In an effort to support these contracting companies that were investing in certification, training and company performance, Crossville created a volume discount program. It is not surprising Crossville supported this initiative, as Five Star Contractors espouse values that the Curran Group was built on since the beginning.

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. Or, contact Terri Sparks: 708-921-3517; tas@communicatorsintl.com