About Our Team

CTaSC specializes in ceramic tile and stone consulting. We are a professional company of expert consultants comprised of accomplished ceramic tile and stone installers, construction scientists, and other industry specialists conveniently located throughout North America.

What We Do

We perform inspections and investigations nationwide and have local inspectors in most markets.  We perform inspections from referrals that we receive from the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) and the Marble Institute of America (MIA) as a separate, independent, and objective entity.

Meet the Experts

Kurt Klaser, CTC, ITS – Journeyman Master Tile Setter

KurtKlaser.jpg

Kurt Klaser attended San Diego State University, and then began his tile and stone installation career with the family business, Klaser Tile Company Inc. in 1990.

Kurt was an apprentice to his father, Bill Klaser, who is a recognized tile expert in the industry known for his commitment to quality. Under his father’s mentoring Kurt became an expert installer of exterior stone and thin brick veneers, industrial flooring, and glass mosaic work for domes and fully tiled swimming pools as well as other applications. Kurt Klaser is considered an expert at all aspects of the tile installation process.

Kurt worked his way up from a tile helper/finisher to a journeyman master tile setter/foreman over a 20+ year career to achieve this designation. Kurt has always been committed to quality work throughout his 18 year employment at Klaser Tile and was responsible for either the tile installation or for the supervision of tile installations as a foreman of a large number of Klaser Tile’s projects and installers.

Kurt received his Ceramic Tile Consultant (CTC) certification through the Ceramic Tile Institute of America in 1996 to further his pursuit of quality control and best practices for the industry. Curt has been a CTaSC inspector since 2009 and has been ITS Verified through the University of Ceramic Tile and Stone.

Kevin Klaser, CTC, ITS – Journeyman Master Tile Setter

KevinBEST.jpg

Kevin Klaser attended San Diego State University, and then began his tile and stone installation career with the family business, Klaser Tile Company Inc. in 1990.

Kevin was an apprentice to his father, Bill Klaser, who is a recognized tile expert in the industry known for his commitment to quality. Under his father’s mentoring Kevin became an expert installer of exterior stone and thin brick veneers, industrial flooring, and glass mosaic work for domes and fully tiled swimming pools as well as other applications. Kevin Klaser is considered an expert at all aspects of the tile installation process.

Kevin worked his way up from a tile helper/finisher to a journeyman master tile setter/foreman over a 20+ year career to achieve this designation. Kevin has always been committed to quality work throughout his 18 year employment at Klaser Tile and was responsible for either the tile installation or for the supervision of tile installations as a foreman and as a superintendent of a large number of Klaser Tile projects and installers.

Kevin received his Ceramic Tile Consultant (CTC) certification through the Ceramic Tile Institute of America in 1996 to further his pursuit of quality control and best practices for his industry. Kevin has been a CTaSC inspector since 2006 and has been ITS Verified through the University of Ceramic Tile and Stone.

Michael Cohn, ITS, FCITS Certified Flooring and Hard Surface master Inspector for Residential and Commercial applications.

Mr. Cohn has over 40 years of experience in the floor covering industry, which includes ceramic tile, porcelain tile, glass tile, carpet, vinyl, LVT, laminates, and hard wood flooring.  Mr. Cohn is a FCITS Certified Flooring and Hard Surface Master Inspector for Residential and Commercial Locations.  Mr. Cohn was a General Manager of Tilecraft, LTD, a seven location wholesaler/retailer in the San Francisco Bay Area, and he was an independent technical representative to the floor covering industry for over 30 years. He has been involved in problem resolution for all of that time and became a floor covering inspector in 2011.

Vincent S. Moiso, CTC, ITS, CTS, CSS, MBA – Business Consultant and Tile Contractor; CA C-54 Contractor License #755369

Vincent Moiso is a Business and Marketing Consultant and a Licensed C54 Tile Contractor who works for and collaborates with Donato Pompo on a case by case basis. Vince is the RMO for CTaSC’s California C54 Tile Contractor’s License. Vince is also the president of Oceanside Glass & Tile Company and he also does other independent business consulting.

Vince has worked as a natural stone fabricator, a tile installer, a vice president of an international tile and stone manufacturing and distribution firm, and that included opening and managing three retail showrooms.

Vince has an MBA in finance and marketing from Cal State Fullerton and a BA in international relations from the University of San Diego.  Vincent also teaches B2B Content Marketing at his alma mater where he serves as a Director on the USD Alumni Board of Directors.

Bruno F. Marsella, AIA, CTC, ITS – Licensed Architect
California Licensed Architect C-26986; National Council of Architectural Registration Board #50226; CA C-54 Tile Contractor License #390025

Bruno Marsella received a Bachelor of Architecture (Five year degree) from California State Polytechnic University, California in 1992 and has been a licensed architect in California since 1997. He spent a Fourth Year Abroad Studies in Architecture at the American University in Florence, Italy from 1990 to 1991. He is fluent in three languages.  Prior to becoming an architect Bruno spent 13 years as a ceramic tile contractor owning A & B Tile Company out of Los Angeles, CA.  Bruno possesses architectural experience in commercial and residential design. He has been involved in preparing construction documents for design projects ranging from single-family residences to major hospitals.

Bruno spent 26 years at Klock Planning Architecture/KPA Associates, Inc., in San Diego, CA.  As a principal architect Bruno performed a full range of design and forensic architectural services. He oversaw the development and preparation of KPAA’s repair drawings, report illustrations and exhibits for use at mediations, presentations, and trials.

Bruno has participated in all facets of forensic architecture, from investigation to testimony.  He has been retained as an expert on over 70 cases and provided testimony on several cases.  Bruno has investigated, analyzed field data, and developed repair recommendations for a wide variety of claimed construction deficiencies concerning a multitude of building components and types.

As owner of Marsella Architectural Consulting, Bruno has performed SB326 building inspections on over 20 projects. He has been responsible for assessing exterior elevated elements’ conditions.  He is a valuable member of the CTaSC team.

James S. Warwick – Chemical Engineer/Builder

jswphotocropped.jpgJim Warwick graduated with an MSChE from the University of Southern California in 1964.  He eventually joined the Mobil Oil Corporation where he enjoyed a successful and rewarding career.  In 2000, Jim retired from ExxonMobil with the title of Distinguished Engineer and became a consultant to other multinational oil companies.

While putting himself through college Jim worked extensively in the construction trades. Aside from large refinery projects he oversaw at Mobil Oil, Jim was constantly engaged in personal construction projects that also involved ceramic tile and stone.

Jim’s comprehensive knowledge of chemistry, combined with his personal interest in construction, qualify him as an effective CTaSC Inspector.  James has been a CTaSC inspector since 2006 and has been ITS Verified through the University of Ceramic Tile and Stone.

Tricia Pompo – Marketing Director

TriciaHeadshot3jpg.jpgTricia Pompo was first introduced to the ceramic tile industry when she was hired by the Italian Trade Commission (ITC) in the 1980’s to work on a national campaign to launch the “Ceramic Tiles of Italy” brand. For several years she organized Italian exhibits at US trade fairs, accompanied American journalists to the Cersaie show and factories in Italy, and managed advertising and public relations efforts.

Following the success of the tile campaign, Tricia was assigned to work on other projects for the ITC in both the New York and Los Angeles offices. In 2002, Tricia was managing a retail promotional program with 250 of the leading independent stores in America selling men’s and women’s fashions from Italy.

Eventually, Tricia returned to the industry that had given her a successful start. In 2003, she joined Ceramic Tile and Stone Consultants (CTaSC) as marketing director and currently manages advertising and public relations efforts, including social networking, blogs and the company’s newsletter.

Tricia attended Sweet Briar College in Virginia majoring in Italian language, literature and art history. She attended junior year in Florence, Italy and speaks fluent Italian.

In Memory of my father and partner Vincent N. Pompo (11/21/1926 to 07/14/2020)

Vince3crop.jpgVince Pompo began his career in the ceramic tile industry in 1949 at Gladding McBean & Company in Glendale, California.  He remained with the firm for 26 years, rising to the position of Sales Manager of the Franciscan tile division.

In 1975 Vince established his own business importing, distributing and retailing ceramic tile and stone.  His interest and enthusiasm for the industry never diminished, and in 2006 he decided to undertake a new challenge with the CTaSC consulting team of experts.

Over the years, Vince has had many accomplishments in the field of ceramic tile and stone. In 1977, he became a Certified Ceramic Tile Consultant (CTC), an important industry credential granted by the Ceramic Tile Institute of America (CTIOA). Vince was a charter member of the prestigious Ceramic Tile Distributors of America (CTDA). He served as CTDA’s president from 1982 to 1983. During that time, he was instrumental in creating the Ceramic Tile Promotion Fund. For several years he also represented CTDA on the Tile Council of America’s committee for the “Handbook of Ceramic Tile Installation.”

Other organizations in which Vince was a participating member include the Ceramic Tile Institute of America (CTIOA), American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), American Institute of Architects (AIA), Producer’s Council, USC’s Architectural Guild, Building Institute Association (BIA) and Construction Specification Institute (CSI).

Vince Pompo’s extensive experience in the ceramic tile and stone industry made him a valuable addition to the CTaSC consulting team.

In Memory of our Good Friend Jack Langan (1949 – 2014)
Union Journeyman Tile Setter

JackSideProfileBest.jpgJack Langan was a union journeyman tile setter who was introduced to the world of ceramic tile by his father, who was also a journeyman tile setter for 30 years. After serving honorably in the U.S. Coast Guard, Jack followed in his father’s footsteps by first becoming a certified helper. Jack’s next step was as a union apprentice tile setter, which then led him to four years at the Los Angeles Trade Technical College. During his college years, Jack continued working in the ceramic tile industry through jobs at a number of local tile companies. Upon graduation, he joined J. Colavin & Son Tile in Los Angeles where he remained for 29 years, eventually becoming a key manager operating the company.

Jack’s lengthy career in the ceramic tile industry gave him opportunities to work as a union journeyman tile setter, foreman, superintendent and operations manager. Over the years he was the recipient of several Craftsman Awards for Excellence presented to him by the Ceramic Tile Institute and the Ceramic Tile Institute of America.

A firm believer of giving back to his industry, Jack served on many committees where his technical expertise served to set standards and to educate other tile trades people. He was an active member of the Ceramic Tile Institute of America, the Associated Tile Contractors Association, the Labor Management Committee, the Joint Apprenticeship Committee, the Joint Apprenticeship Education Committee, and the Ceramic Tile Institute from which he earned certification as a Ceramic Tile Consultant.

Jack’s interest in ceramic tile and construction in general was not limited to his professional life. He also built, managed, remodeled and maintained apartment buildings for 40 years.

Jack used his extensive experience and skills as a CTaSC forensic investigator of ceramic tile and stone failures and as a CTaSC inspector and trainer for ceramic tile and stone quality control projects.

SONY DSC