Tile Council of North America (TCNA) presented its prestigious Tile Person of the Year award to Dr. Svend Hovmand at Coverings 2010 in Orlando, FL.

With a doctorate in chemical engineering from the University of Cambridge, England, Dr. Hovmand served for 16 years as president of Crossville, Inc. and has served on Crossville’s Board of Directors since its founding 25 years ago. Since 2005, he has served as Chairman of the Board of Crossville.

“Dr. Hovmand’s contributions to Tile Council and the tile industry are extraordinary,” commented TCNA Executive Director, Eric Astrachan. “Unquestionably, Dr. Hovmand is the most senior manufacturing executive who actively participates in both the deeply technical and executive level business aspects of our industry. We are fortunate to have his continued active participation in our association, even after his semi-retirement from Crossville.”

“Svend’s leadership in the ceramic tile industry has always been exceptional. His dedication and vision have been crucial to the success and growth of Crossville and in shaping Tile Council into what it has become today. I hope he remains active in our industry for a long time,” commented Victor Almeida, TCNA’s past president and Interceramic’s Chairman & CEO.

“Not only is Svend one of the most dedicated individuals with whom I’ve ever worked in the industry, he is also one of the nicest and most down-to-earth,” commented Dick Baiter, TCNA treasurer.

Some of the numerous ways Dr. Hovmand has served and continues to serve the industry include:

• TCNA president, 1994-95, 2004-05, 2006
• TCNA Board of Directors, 1990-present
• TCNA Executive Committee 2001-present
• TCNA Marketing Committee Chairman, 2003-08
• Chairman of ISO TC 189, the International Organization for Standardization technical committee for ceramic tile and installation materials
• Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF) President, 2006-present
• Participant in American National Standards Institute (ANSI) ASC A108 committee
• National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) Board of Directors, 2000-04
• Coverings Board of Governors, 2003-present

Dr. Hovmand is a recipient of the NTCA Cornerstone Award (2002) and the Jerry Fischer Memorial – Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA) Service Award (2000). He was inducted into the CTDA Hall of Fame in 2001.