MEMBER SPOTLIGHT –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– networks. After a year of business they decided – as Coverings 16 Chicago approached – that they would make it a point to attend and to participate with their ven- dors and network as much as they could for the week. “We went and after a week- long discussion we both decided to make the investment into the NTCA,” Twarog said. Why did it take a week? Why not sign up right away? After all, there are vouchers after all and many benefits to be had. “Edwardo and I don’t do any- thing halfway,” Twarog said. “We knew if we decided to sign up we would be all-in. All-in for us, means we would want to both be CTEF CTIs and we would also both want to be State Ambassadors so we could both be a bigger part of the tile industry in a way that would set us apart from all the rest.” Now, just over a year later they are both CTEF CTI certified as well as many in their network of installers. “In this short time we have been involved with many of our vendors through both the NTCA and the CTEF,” Twarog said. “This has been extremely gratify- ing to see the positive changes in both ourselves as well as our local industry.” Surfaces15 and NTCA: creating change for good As Martinez and Twarog show up as new NTCA Illinois Ambassadors, they have shared their vision with vendors and dis- covered they share the same pas- sion for the goal for change. “We asked if they would be interested in hosting NTCA events and CTI test days,” Twarog said. “They liked the idea so much, that they have made special pro- Surfaces 15 used The Tile Shop 8" x 48" planks, with Blanke edging and tuned with MLT Mechanical Lippage Tuning system in this Indian Head Park, Ill., balcony. 48 TileLetter | October 2017