Vietnam refugee forges successful career in the U.S. tile industry through passion and hard work
By Bart Bettiga, NTCA Executive Director
Tommy Vu was 14 years old when the conditions in Vietnam became so intolerable he was forced to join 140 others on a boat that landed in Japan. Like thousands of fellow Vietnamese citizens at the time, Tommy was fortunate to find a sponsor in the United States, and he landed in Houston, Texas, thankful for a new opportunity. In January of this year, Tommy received the Commercial NTCA Tile Setter Craftsperson of the Year Award in Las Vegas, during TISE. Gary Sharpe of Westway Construction Services in Houston – who is Tommy’s current employer – nominated him for the honor.
In addition to Sharpe’s accolades, Tommy received numerous accolades from project managers with whom he’s worked. One such advocate was Michael Matula, Senior Project Executive for Gilbane Building Company, who praised Tommy in a letter included in his submission packet:
“Over the years I’ve had the pleasure of working with Tommy Vu on numerous projects of all shapes and sizes. He and his crews have installed over a million square feet of quality flooring on my projects. Tommy’s greatest asset is his ability to understand the task at hand and quickly put together an efficient plan to address all the challenges that the particular project will bring. I’ve personally challenged Tommy with some projects where I actually didn’t think what I was asking was possible. However, once Tommy reviewed the situation and confirmed he could do it, I also knew that it would get done. Tommy is one of the best in the business and I would not hesitate to use [him] and his team on any one of my future projects.”
Tommy has a vibrant personality and his passion for the industry and for the U.S. is evident when you meet him and spend time with him. I was able to catch up with both Gary Sharpe and Tommy Vu to talk about Tommy’s career and how the tile industry has positively impacted his life.
Tommy with Westway Construction Services’ Gary Sharpe who nominated him for the award. “We call him the tile guru!” Sharpe said of Tommy.
What was it about Tommy Vu that made Westway Construction Services take the time to submit his nomination?
Gary Sharpe: I have been fortunate to work with Tommy for many years. When I joined Westway Construction Services in 2022, I was able to convince him to join the team. We are a general contractor with a flooring division and Tommy is field operations manager, but he focuses on tile. We call him the tile guru!
Tommy, what did it mean to be nominated for and awarded the 2024 craftsperson of the year?
Tommy Vu: It meant everything! I had such a great time in Las Vegas, and it was wonderful to meet so many people at the NTCA.
Gary Sharpe: When I saw that you had this award, I thought of Tommy right away. I can’t think of anyone more qualified for recognition than Tommy Vu. I met him in the 1990s at a Daltile location, and I gave him my business card. Eight or nine years later, I ran into him, and he remembered my phone number and reminded me about the time we had met. He has that kind of mind. He takes charge of a jobsite. Not only with the tile crew, but the other trades and the general contractor as well. He sees what needs to be done and he makes it happen. He is a professional that understands meeting a schedule, working with other trades, and quality control. He possesses the skills of project management, jobsite supervision, communication, and installation expertise. He is the whole package.
Tell me about your journey from Vietnam to the United States and how did you come to enter the tile trade?
Tommy Vu: In 1979, at the age of 14, I got picked up by a big ship, after 23 days on the water on a small boat, 35 feet long with 110 other refugees, and they brought me to Japan. I was lucky to have a sponsor and I came to the United States. In Vietnam, my uncle had a tile factory, so I knew a little about the industry. I went to school here and then decided I wanted to be a tile setter because I felt there was a great opportunity for me. I received my U.S. citizenship in 1986.
What do you enjoy most about ceramic tile installation?
Tommy Vu: I love to make the floor or wall look beautiful. I think I make America beautiful! I am not afraid to work hard, and the pay is good too!
After coming to the U.S. as a sponsored Vietnamese refugee when he was a teenager, Tommy said, “I went to school here and then decided I wanted to be a tile setter because I felt there was a great opportunity for me. I received my U.S. citizenship in 1986.”
Gary Sharpe: Tommy is unique because he understands what needs to be done to make the job done right on the front end. He meets with the general contractors early and he fights for the conditions to be met to make the job successful. And he does it in a way that is communicative and not offensive. The math comes naturally, and he understands the essential elements of a system approach. And he is a technician and an artist as well. And like most successful tile installers, he loves a challenge.
Tommy Vu: Who is the warranty for the job? I am! I take that very seriously and I am always looking ahead. My reputation is at stake.
Obra A. Tompkins High School in Katy, Texas, was a 100,000-sq.-ft. project with a massive waterjet Falcon logo in the main entry. Tommy (in the white shirt) did a masterful job of laying the entire thing out in a mechanical room to make sure every piece was there and in place before moving it to the main entry. He also carefully field cut each tile in the outer circle to make the lobby even more impressive, eliminating the jointed look and making a true circular ring around the massive logo.
This grand residence is for the owner of a very large general contracting firm in Houston, who specifically requested Tommy for this project. The house was out of square, the elevation between the main house and the pool house differed, and the pool was situated between the two. Tommy took over for the pool company to make the elevations work for drainage and to meet the doors of both buildings. He used Schluter DITRA Mat under all tile work on this project, installing large-format panels, large-format stone and custom tile work all in one project.
I think you can safely say that your reputation has now been solidified. And you are a role model for many of your peers. Your story of becoming a U.S. citizen and embracing your opportunity to forge a career in our trade is truly something to be admired.
Tommy Vu: Thank you to NTCA for honoring me and recognizing me! I am proud to receive this prestigious award.
Tommy Vu jubilantly receives the NTCA Tile Setter Craftsperson of the Year Commercial recognition at TISE in Las Vegas earlier this year, presented by NTCA’s Becky Serbin.