QUALIFIED LABOR ––––––––––––––––––– Matthew Welner, Blue Ridge Tile and Stone Challenging CTI exam demonstrates Welner's dedication to the technical side of the trade Matt Welner, owner of Blue Ridge Tile and Stone in Hickory, N.C., and NTCA State Ambassador for North Carolina, started mixing thinset when he was only 15. And six years ago, he struck out to estab- lish his tilesetting business. He started hear- ing about the Certified Tile Installer exams on the Facebook group Tile Geeks, and then learned more about it while at a NTCA workshop. “It sounded like a fun opportunity to test my skills,” Welner said. “Also after working by myself for a num- ber of years, I wanted to see how I compared to my peers.” Like many others who have chal- lenged themselves with the exam, his hope was that by successfully completing it, he would set him- self apart from other companies. He also hopes that “my future clients will see that I care about the educational / technical side of the trade,” he explained. “I always include the fact that I am a Certified Tile Installer during an initial con- sultation and also include it on my written estimates.” When December 2016 came around, he signed up to take the exam at the headquarters of the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation. Despite his experi- ence in the trade, he found the exam challenging. “Apart from the installation, time management and your ability to follow direc- tions are crucial,” he said. “It was more difficult than I believed it Matt Welner, Blue Ridge Tile and Stone, LLC in Hickory, N.C., is CTI #1276. Welner is a NTCA mem- ber and State Ambassador. Welner’s 3-year old son Jaxson, is VERY excited about the latest issue of TileLetter! Addy, Welner’s five-year old daugh- ter, is flexing her muscles in regal style. 46 TileLetter | November 2018