It’s really about how you look at it. Is it a means to an end, or do you feel that it is your opportunity to advance toward a higher level of profes- sionalism regardless of where you fit in the chain? You don’t need to be the person on your knees install- ing material. Your contribution may be to support a high-quality result somewhere in the chain, from man- ufacturing the tile or mortar to being the person capable of completing a highly complex tile or stone installa- tion. We have a lot of awards around the office. They were all earned by teams of people delivering a high- quality result. The effort to educate and recruit at many levels is at full speed. NTCA University, recruiting at work fairs, high schools, trade schools etc. is where we are looking. I believe that the “alternate” career path of the construction or craft trades is due for a resurgence in popularity among those who see “alternative as oppor- tunity.” Pride is a choice. Be proud to be a part of a close-knit community of people who care about your success and want to help you succeed as a trade professional. The sole purpose of the NTCA is to support you in that endeavor. Respectfully, Chris Walker NTCA President Vice President, David Allen Company Chairman, ANSI A-108 Chairman, US TAG ISO T-189 Board of Directors, ABC-VA Voting Member TCNA Handbook Voting Member NTCA Reference Manual chriswalker@davidallen.com PRESIDENT'S LETTER ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 3 22 TileLetter | March 2019