For John Mourelatos, CTI testing is about proving your skill as a professional Raising the bar and learning time management skills are bonuses of the CTI test QUALIFIED LABOR –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– John Mourelatos, owner of Mourelatos Tile Pro LLC in Tucson, Ariz., recently became a Certified Tile Installer (CTI) in January after suc- cessfully completing the hands-on portion of the test atThe International Surfaces Event (TISE West) in Las Vegas. After 20 years in the tile industry, Mourelatos knew that in order to take his company to the next level he needed to get certified. “My goal to become a CTI start- ed shortly after the program was developed,” Mourelatos said. He tried to get enough interest to bring testing to his home city of Tucson, but after failing for several years, he decided it was time to take the test however he could. “Ed Siebern, my installer of 12 years, and I are now the first and only Certified Tile installers in our area of Tucson, Arizona!” Mourelatos noted. Mourelatos Tile Pro Inc. was founded by Mourelatos in 2004. It has three employees including Mourelatos, two of which are now CTIs. “I was interested in [becom- ing certified] not only to support the CTI program, but also to take my skill to the next level, to demonstrate that I am dedicated to continuing education in our industry,” Mourelatos said. C e r t i f i c a t i o n is especial- ly important in places like Tucson where there is no insti- tutional standard for tile install- ers. Because of this lack of for- mal standard, Mourelatos said, “I feel it is imperative to support continuing education opportuni- ties locally and nationally.” He added, “I am working on coordi- By Terryn Rutford, Social Structure Marketing John Mourelatos, a NTCA member for 11 years, an Arizona State Ambassador and now a member of the NTCA Training and Education Committee. 42 TileLetter | April 2017