TCAA's 2021 Carl V. Cesery Award Recipient: Scott Conwell

The award, a five-inch bronze medallion, created by legendary American sculptor Gilroy Roberts whose other notable work includes creation of the Kennedy half dollar,  was presented to Scott Conwell by TCAA's president during the Awards Luncheon at Total Solutions Plus on October 26, 2021. 

The Cesery Award is given by the Tile Contractors’ Association of America to recognize a person’s contributions to the tile industry and to those who have served our industry with distinction. There certainly can be no doubt that Scott Conwell has indeed contributed to our industry, with distinction, at the highest levels.

Scott has represented the tile and masonry industry for 25 plus years through his work for the International Masonry Institute as Director of Industry Development. His work includes delivering meaningful education on design theory and constructability with an emphasis on ceramic tile and stone. He has delivered over 1,000 seminars in the U.S., and has also presented internationally in Italy and Spain. He frequently contributes articles to technical journals. His articles on tile have been published in TILE Magazine, The Construction Specifier, Tile Letter, and TCAA’s own 093000 Contractor magazine. He is a regular presenter at AIA and CSI design and construction industry conferences and has also presented at Coverings, Surfaces and TSP. He is so well known as a ceramic tile expert; he has been asked to lecture at architectural and construction management schools.

Scott is nationally known for his contributions to the development of ceramic tile standards and best practices. He is an active member of the Tile Council of North America Handbook Committee, the American National Standards Institute, and the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers’ Tile/Marble/Terrazzo Craft Committee.  As a member of ANSI he participated in the development of A108.19 and A108.20 the first in the world installation standards for gauged porcelain tile, and is currently leading a subcommittee in the development of a new standard, A108.T, Standard Terminology for Ceramic Tile Assemblies.

In fact, it was through Scott Conwell's efforts that Qualified Contractor Language, Qualified Installer Language, and the Advanced Certifications for Tile Installers (ACT) was inserted in the MasterSpec ceramic tile specifications, which is developed and distributed nationally for the American Institute of Architects.

His expertise in architectural detailing of ceramic tile and masonry is legendary.  There isn’t an architect in the country who has not benefited from his expertise in the practical aspects of how to design with ceramic tile. His most recent work was the production of the details and graphics for the newly published tile curriculum used at International Masonry Institute (IMI)/International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (IUBAC) training centers nationwide.  WOW! Is there anything Scott hasn’t done to promote, educate, and train on the benefits of ceramic tile? 

This certainly is not the first time Scott has been recognized for his contributions. Scott is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and the Construction Specifications Institute. Both of which recognize this designation as the highest honor that can be bestowed on a member.

TCAA congratulates Scott Conwell as the recipient of TCAA's 2021 Carl V. Cesery award! We are grateful for his service to the industry and our organization.