Welcome to October. How did we get here so fast?!
“My work is driven by the idea that visual storytelling and images have the power to change the world.” – Alice Aedy, documentary filmmaker
I refer you to the Table of Contents for more information on the amazing lineup of stories and imagery on tap for this month. Meet Alek Tsituk of Trimworks, Inc., in our Member spotlight, and revel in the three stunning projects Hawthorne Tile’s Dirk Sullivan details in our Artisan feature. Noble’s Dean Moilanen writes about the essential “parts and pieces” necessary for a watertight installation in our Webinar feature, and Chris Woelfel of J.G. Woelfel & Associates, Tile and Stone Consultants, walks us through the new NTCA Trowel & Error video – its history and importance – in our Technical story. And our Technical Team answers member questions in the Ask the Expert section.
Tile Solutions Plus is at the end of the month and our Business story gives you a preview of this all-industry event. NTCA President Rod Owen introduces you to Negotiation Acumen in his letter, and offers tips on using it to best effect.
Our One-to-One feature focuses on John Merola of Merola Tile Distributors of America, giving you a peek into the origins, evolution and strategies of this important company and its innovative CEO and products. Then, page on over to the Product Focus section to get information about products for heated floors and baths that can make your installations easier and more enduring.
This brings me to our cover story, penned by Dustan Morgan of Morgan Tile in Nevada City, Calif. A casual conversation I had with Dustan months back led to the discovery of an incredible Lake Tahoe project he was working on, and its multiplicity of tile showers and details. Enter LATICRETE (our cover sponsor for this month) and its stellar products used in this project – but wait, there’s more! Many of you may know that LATICRETE CEO and President Ron Nash is an accomplished photographer and his daughter Ava has decided to pursue that path as well. The Nash duo traveled to Tahoe to photograph the project, and the photos in this feature are a testament to their excellence and artistic eye. Enjoy the precision and beauty of the installs – and the dazzling imagery captured by the dad-and-daughter team.
Those of you heading to TSP – I look forward to meeting up with you in Phoenix at the end of the month for an opportunity to learn, connect and have some fun. See you soon!
God bless,
Lesley
Lesley Goddin has been writing and journaling since her first diary at age 11. Her journey has taken her through a career in publishing and publicity, landing her the editor position of TileLetter and its special publications in 2006. Her goal is to educate, inspire, recognize and encourage those in the tile industry -- especially the tile and stone contractor.
