Meet 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. 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.
We invite you to meet some of our experts:
Steve Raish - Expert Tile Installer CA C54 Lic. #508296
A licensed ceramic tile and stone installer, Steve Raish is considered an expert craftsman, resulting from over 30 years of hands-on experience in the business. In 1985 he founded Steve Raish Tile Company which he operated in southern California for 15 years, specializing in custom ceramic tile and stone installations. He is knowledgeable in all aspects of residential and commercial construction and has collaborated closely with contractors, architects, designers and builders in designing and installing quality tile and stone projects. In 2000, Steve joined a leading manufacturer of installation products and systems where he initially provided training, technical service and wrote specifications. A few years later Steve became a sales representative in charge of the Los Angeles territory, while continuing to provide training for distributors. Steve has been actively involved in job failure investigations and prevention throughout his career and is a highly qualified inspector and expert witness. (click here for Curriculum Vitae)
James S. Warwick - Chemical Engineer/Builder
Jim 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.
Vince Pompo - New Business Development Manager
Vince 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 and during that time 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 make him a valuable addition to the CTaSC consulting team.
Jack Langan - Union Journeyman Tile Setter
Jack Langan is 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 thirty 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 has given him opportunities to work as a union journeyman tile setter, foreman, superintendent and operations manager. Over the years he has been 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 has served on many committees where his technical expertise served to set standards and to educate other tile trades people. He has been 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 is not limited to his professional life. He has also built, managed, remodeled and maintained apartment buildings for 40 years.
Jack uses 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.
David Jon Terry, B.A., M.ARCH. - Licensed Architect, California C11341
David Terry received a Master’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Oregon, Eugene in 1976 and has been a licensed Architect in California since 1984. He attended Sacramento State University where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1971. After undergraduate school, David became a union carpenter in Yakima, Washington, Local 770. Then, after graduate school, and before pursuing his career as an architect, he moved to southern California and worked as a lead carpenter on residential and commercial projects.
Eventually settling in San Diego, David honed his skills with architectural firms in the area before establishing his own firm. Here he managed a staff of licensed architects and oversaw all projects to ensure design integrity while also running the day-to-day operations.
Over the years, David has had the opportunity to plan and design many projects of varying types and sizes including hospitals and healthcare facilities, shopping centers, office buildings, condominiums, manufacturing facilities, homes, churches, schools, industrial parks, government housing and more.
As a professional Architect, David brings 25 years of extensive experience in building design, specification and contract drawing development, construction administration, contract negotiation and bidding procedures. He is a valuable member of the CTaSC team.
Joesph L. Russ - Director of E-Learning and Training
Joseph is a veteran training professional. Prior to coming on board at UofCTS, he was a training counselor at Interface Technical Training in Phoenix, AZ. His role there required working closely with IT managers, directors and CIO’s to register their employees and coordinate classroom training for computer and hardware engineers from companies such as Intel, Verizon, American Express, and Wells Fargo.
Joseph has a long history within the ceramic tile and stone industries. The step-son of Donato Pompo, he had the opportunity to work in the family business from time to time. Joseph's uncle, Bob Traxler, is the president of Arizona Tile, and Joseph's mother worked within the tile and stone industry as a tile sales consultant and installation estimator for many years. Two of Joseph's cousins are ceramic tile and stone installers.
Kevin Klaser, CTC - Journeyman Master Tile Setter
After high school Kevin 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’s 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.
Kurt Klaser, CTC - Journeyman Master Tile Setter
After high school Kurt 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.
