Yocum is 2020 NTCA Tarver Award Honoree

JACKSON, Miss. — Mary Yocum of Schluter® Systems is the recipient of the 2020 Joe A. Tarver Service to the Industry Award from the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA).

Mary YocumYocum, an architectural manager for Schluter, received the award late last year. She is the second woman to receive the honor.

The award, named fir NTCA Executive Director Emeritus Joe Tarver, is given to individuals who dedicated their careers to improving the tile and stone industry in the United States. The recognition for Yocum comes from her active participation and support of leading trade associations such as the NTCA and the Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA), where she was a two-time President.

“I am beyond humbled,” Mary says while discussing award. “Firstly, it’s the Joe Tarver Award! I worked with Joe and have a great deal of respect for him and all he did for the tile industry.

“All the people who have received this award prior to me have committed themselves generously to the industry. I am so grateful and extremely humbled to be in their company.”

 “Mary has devoted her time and energy to the entire tile industry and is highly deserving of this recognition,” says Bart Bettiga, Executive Director of the NTCA. “As both a distribution and manufacturing representative, Mary has worked closely with the tile contracting community and has helped communicate the need for hiring qualified and trained installers to the design, building, specification and architectural community.

“Mary has actively promoted qualified labor language in the specifications and has supported the importance of industry certification offered by the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation.”

Marco Ludwig, President and CEO of Schluter-Systems North America, congratulated Yocum on receiving the award.

“Over the years Mary has formed countless deep and meaningful relationships and it doesn’t take long to realize just how well respected she is in the tile industry,” he said. “Her dedication and commitment to improving the industry makes her an excellent choice for the Joe Tarver Award. We, at Schluter- Systems are fortunate to benefit from Mary’s knowledge, experience and enthusiasm.”

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