Meet the CTEF Team

Bradford Denny

Executive Director

Brad Denny CTI #1190 has been intensely active in the tile industry for many years. He has served as Region 6 Director for the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA), received the Dedication to Membership award, a recognition specially created just to honor his passion for methods, standards, and the internet, and chaired the NTCA’s Social Media Subcommittee, as well as moderated the Tile Geeks Facebook group.

Brad served as the Co-Chairman of the Training and Education Committee with Sam Bruce for 2020 and 2021.

In 2021, Brad received the NTCA Tile Person of the Year Award for his volunteerism.

Most recently, he was vice president and COO of  Nichols Tile & Terrazzo Co, Inc.,  a family-owned tile contractor business and a Five Star Contractor of the NTCA located outside of Nashville, TN.

>> Read Bradford Denny Hired as CTEF Executive Director

>> See Brad Denny CTI #1190 Discusses Hidden Oasis Tile Installation

Scott Carothers

Academic Director

Scott is responsible for the creation of the Certified Tile Installer (CTI) program, and is involved in the creation of the Advanced Certifications for Tile Installers (ACT) program as well as providing training to others in the tile industry.

He has been involved in the ceramic tile industry for over 36 years and was the owner of a successful retail and installation firm prior to coming to CTEF. He has served as President of the NTCA, Chairman of the NTCA Technical Committee, been named the NTCA Tile Person of the Year in 2005, and the Ring of Honor recipient in 2013. He is a voting member of the ANSI and the TCNA Handbook committees.

>> See Why Scott Carothers Cares Intensely About Tile Installation Certification and Education

Cathey McAlister

Office Manager

Cathey McAlister has been with CTEF since 2008 and manages the Pendleton, SC, CTEF office location and training facility. Her careful and ongoing attention to training, registration, sponsorship and all of the other details associated with providing education and installer certification for professionals in the ceramic tile and stone industry, makes it possible for Scott and the entire team of CTI Evaluators to deliver on the CTEF mission. She attended Southern Wesleyan University. 

Happily married for 23 years, Cathey has two children: a 9 year old son and a 20 year old daughter who is majoring in biological science at Clemson University.

A native of Pendleton, Cathey enjoys spending time with her family at the lake every weekend and supporting the Clemson Tigers!