b'ONE-TO-ONELuigi Di Geso, President and CEOMAPEI North AmericaIn the One-to-One column, NTCA Executive Director With Bart Bettiga, Bart Bettiga interviews industry leaders about pertinent NTCA Executive Director topics.Italian-basedMAPEICorporationhasbeena leadinginstallationmaterialmanufacturerfor many years, and has a strong, established pres-ence in North America. As Executive Director of the National Tile Contractors Association since 2002, I have worked closely with MAPEI leaders to collaborate on many efforts related to train-ing and education of the trade. MAPEIs support of our programs has enabled us to expand our outreach in many ways. MAPEI North America is known for outstanding product development, customer service and training. Because it offersLuigi Di Geso, President a complete line of products that appeal to manyand CEO of MAPEI North trades, MAPEI has a strong presence in all fl oor- Americaing and surface preparation categories.President and CEO of MAPEI North America Luigi Di Geso has led this group for more than a decade. I caught up with him recently and asked him to share with us some insight into the company and its strategic direction.IthasbeenseveralmonthsDr.Squinziwasatruementor since the tile industry lost an iconineverysenseoftheword.AsI inthepassingofMAPEIGrouplookbackoverthepast10years President,Dr.GiorgioSquinzi.whereIreporteddirectlytohim, Tell us a little bit about the rela- heallowedmetolearnfromhis tionshipyouformedwithDr.vastexperience,whileallalong Squinzi,whatlegacyheleavesallowing me to form my own expe-behind, and explain how the com- rienceasIdevelopedinmyrole panyismovingforwardwithaasCEO.Alwaysaskingtheright new leadership team.questions,whilealwayslistening 52 TileLetter | April 2020'