FIRECLAY TILE - Key Persons
Alessandra was born in Rome to an Architect and an Art Historian who pushed her to sites and museums all over the city in a baby carriage, so she has always been around art, architecture, and design. Her love for interior spaces is further informed by her studies in Art History at the University of Chicago, and spending countless hours redecorating her bedroom for as long as she can remember. It was only a matter of time before she pursued a career in interior design sales to help customers bring their visions to life. Her background includes the arts, nonprofits, higher education, and most recently she was a Showroom Sales Consultant at a kitchen & bath showroom in Chicago. She loves building relationships with customers and she is thrilled to join Fireclay Tile to work with such beautiful handmade tile and to be part of a company that holds sustainable values.
Alex has worked at Fireclay for over 15 years and manages our trade orders and customer service. She is exceptionally detail-oriented and friendly, and truthfully she could teach MBAs proper customer service. When not at the office Alex enjoys spending time with her three children. You can reach Alex at alex@fireclaytile.
Job Titles:
- Showroom Design Consultant
Visual designer raised in Indiana. When I'm not at the computer, you can find me outside hiking, gardening, camping, or cycling. I have two cats (Toast and Heidi) who are always either sleeping, bird watching, or eating the houseplants. My creative outlet outside of digital work is weaving on my floor loom.
Favorite thing about Fireclay: My favorite thing about Fireclay is the company's dedication to sustainability and mindful manufacturing, and of course all of the gorgeous glaze colors!
Hailing from the scenic landscapes of Arkansas, Anisha brings a Southern charm and passion for design to the vibrant California scene. With degrees in interior design and architectural studies, Anisha approaches every project with a unique design philosophy - "what if." This simple question fuels her imagination, leading to creative and innovative solutions that transform spaces into works of art.
Job Titles:
- Director of Sales and Client Support
Annie Acheatel joined Fireclay in late 2016 as a Commercial Sales Coordinator and today leads the Sales and Client Support Department. Her responsibilities include managing the customer service team, shipping & logistics, and the installation support program.
Annie joins Fireclay Tile with over 10 years of experience in all things eCommerce + Digital Marketing from her home base in Chicago, Illinois. She is passionate about creating unique and innovative online experiences that delight and inspire clients. When she's not on the computer you can find her in her greenhouse, whipping up new recipes with her husband or watching British mysteries.
Favorite Thing About Fireclay: The passion of our people and our dedication to sustainability.
Job Titles:
- Learning & Development Specialist
Arianna was born and raised in Orange County, CA, and brings with her a passion for education. She received her degree in Political Economy from UC Berkeley (Go Bears!) and a Master of Arts in Teaching from UC Irvine (Zot! Zot!). Prior to joining Fireclay as a Learning & Development Specialist, she spent three years as a high school Spanish teacher. She views herself as a lifelong learner and loves helping people reach their fullest potential via interactive, engaging trainings. Arianna embraces every opportunity to travel and has lived in both Chile and Spain. On weekends you can find her running, hiking, reading, playing soccer, and exploring new restaurants.
Favorite thing about Fireclay: Seeing each teammate truly embrace Fireclay's five core values in the work they do. Two of my favorite Fireclay values are kindness and GANAS.
Ariel is a San Diego native with a Bachelor's of Science in Interior Design from San Francisco State University. Ariel worked in the design industry for several years at the San Francisco Design Center before finally landing at Fireclay.
Job Titles:
- Sales and Client Support Specialist
I grew up in Morgan Hill, but have lived in Aromas for the last 5 years. I love being able to work in the great community that I live in! Prior to Fireclay, I went to college locally and worked for a cloud based bookkeeping firm. I also went to cosmetology school and did hair for the last 10 years. When I'm not at Fireclay, I love spending time with my husband and my corgi. We enjoy hiking, biking, and doing anything outdoors!
Favorite thing about Fireclay: I love the positive energy that I feel from the people I work with and the company as a whole. I love working for a company that believes in using business as a force for good and I'm proud to be a part of it.
Job Titles:
- Production Team Member - Glazing
Job Titles:
- Sales & Client Support Manager
I've been with Fireclay Tile for several years and absolutely love it! When I'm not at Fireclay you can find me at the beach or taking my sister to basketball tournaments. Prior to Fireclay, I've worked in the customer service industry for 4 years.
Favorite thing about Fireclay Tile: No matter where you go, either the Factory or the San Francisco showroom, you always feel at home. Fireclay is truly a welcoming place to work with friendly faces everywhere you look.
Brittany's background in Art History at UC Santa Cruz helped her discover a vast archive of diverse architectural elements and art movements that have become influences in her own life. Her post-graduate education in Interior Design at FIDM and professional experience with sales and design consultant services contributes to her awareness for the design and installation processes. Brittany values personal connections and collaboration with clients while creating long lasting and unique designs using Fireclay tile. Brittany enjoys the yogi-lifestyle, singing/ playing guitar, & anything outdoors.
Job Titles:
- Commercial Outside Sales Rep
In design school, Brooke was drawn to the world of materiality very early on when she had the opportunity to work for a corporate tenant improvement architectural firm in San Francisco as a Resource Librarian. The fast-paced work environment, the clients, and the coordination from schedules to finishes were all so exciting! Brooke began to gravitate towards tile because of the endless array of visuals and the sustainability in manufacturing. She has spent the last 5+ years assisting commercial designers and architects with hard surface finish selections.
Brooke is enjoying being back in her home state in the PNW and taking advantage of every season outdoors with her husband. You can often find them hiking, biking, skiing, kayaking, or camping - for all of these adventures, they most definitely have their Yorkie Rozi in tow.
Favorite thing about Fireclay: I love the core values of Fireclay Tile and seeing them put to action in our daily initiatives.
Caitlyn moved from Portland, Oregon to join the Dream Team in 2014. She has a degree in Art History with an emphasis on Industrial and Architectural Design History. Over the last several years Caitlyn has been teaching art classes and delivering excellent customer service as a case manager. She is passionate about design on a micro level from fixtures, building materials and lighting. In her spare time she enjoys exploring her new city's various markets and restaurants, building furniture and bowling.
Favorite thing about Fireclay Tile: The constant experimentation and innovation of colors, shapes and hand-painted patterns creating infinite design possibilities.
Job Titles:
- Talent Acquisition Manager
Charlotte is a lover of all things creative in the design and architecture community. Her background in the creative world started out by working in the fashion industry. She evolved into working for a design start-up company along with a manufacturing company selling high-end architectural finishes. She quickly realized her passion for working for a manufacturer. There is something so amazing about providing beautiful handcrafted products on unique projects across the world! On her days out of the office, you can find her hiking local trails with her husband and pup or you can find her soaking in the sun at the nearest beach in Southern California.
Job Titles:
- Manager, Sales & Client Support - Strategic Accounts
I'm a born and raised East Coaster! I grew up in Syracuse, NY, and moved to Philadelphia to attend the University of The Arts for Jazz Dance Performance. My husband, our Australian Shepherd- Liberty Bell, and I moved to California this year to see what it had in store for us. You can catch us having doughnuts and coffee Sunday Mornings in Big Sur & enjoying the outdoors any chance we get! Working out is my favorite form of self-care and I'm not so low-key, competitive in fitness classes!
Job Titles:
- Sales & Client Support Specialist
I graduated from Cal State East Bay in Kinesiology and am also a former college baseball player. I was lucky enough to marry my high school sweetheart. In my downtime, you'll most likely see me outdoors playing golf or going on walks with my wife and two dogs, Olive and Samson!
Favorite thing about Fireclay: Fireclay creates a welcoming atmosphere and everyone here has a great sense of pride in our product. My team is simply phenomenal!
Job Titles:
- Showroom Design Consultant
Christina brings a wealth of expertise and a deep love for the art of tile to the Fireclay team. With a degree in Ceramic Design and a professional journey in the industry that began in 1995, she possesses an extensive depth of knowledge and a passion for artisan tile that she's excited to share with Fireclay clients.
Beyond the showroom, Christina is an avid adventurer who enjoys biking, traveling, and skiing.
My name is Claudia Navarro and I previously worked in the food industry as a cook and food packager. In my free time, I like to exercise, cook, and explore new places with my family.
Cleo is a San Francisco born native who has lived all over the west coast, basically anywhere her dad could get a good wave session in. After graduating from UC Davis, Cleo moved to Bangkok, Thailand to teach English for a year before moving into the e-learning software industry. It was an amazing experience for her as the Thai culture is so rich in history and influential in design today. Upon returning to San Francisco, Cleo headed up online customer acquisition for Own Products. Now she manages Fireclay's Salesforce org and development.
Favorite thing about Fireclay Tile: I am proud to be a part of such an influential company with roots in sustainable manufacturing! Tile to the People!
Job Titles:
- Senior Design Consultant / Senior Design Consultant
Colleen lives in Philadelphia, PA with her husband and 2 little boys. She studied Integrated Science, Business, and Technology while at LaSalle University so naturally, she eventually found herself working in fashion. Her background includes fashion merchandising, styling, and customer care positions, giving her comprehensive knowledge of the design world and client relations. She enjoys going to brunch with her family, watching horror films with her husband, baking with her toddler, and taking her 3 nephews on exciting adventures. She and her husband are currently renovating a house in the suburbs of Philadelphia. She hopes to incorporate some beautiful Fireclay tile into their new home and use this experience to better assist clients in their own projects.
After graduating from UC Berkeley with degrees in Computer Science and Political Science, Collin spent six years as a software consultant working with clients in industries ranging from fishing to pharmaceuticals to green energy. Eventually, his consulting work brought him to Fireclay where he spent two years helping rebuild and refine the tools used by the sales and manufacturing teams. When the opportunity arose to officially join the Fireclay team, he already knew it was a perfect fit.
In his spare time, Collin enjoys cooking, board games, trivia nights, and daydreaming about his next travel destination.
Cristina grew up on the central coast and has lived all over the country. She attended Drake University on a golf scholarship where she studied International Business with a concentration in Latin America. She joins us from the interior design world managing projects for small design firms in both Manhattan Beach, CA, and Rocky River, OH. In her free time, she loves spending time with friends and family, focusing on health and fitness, and spending time with animals!
Favorite thing about Fireclay: The supportive team culture and of course all of the beautiful tile!
Originally from Eastern Europe, Cristina took a leap of faith 10 years ago and moved to San Francisco. With a love for interior design and people, she started her career path in appliances before transitioning to the stone industry. Now Cristina finds herself in the world of beautiful tile!
Early on, Cristina recognized the beauty of the Fireclay product but has been most impressed by the people-- Their energy, positive vibes, and bright faces. Cristina always wondered what their secret was and now she knows-- it's the shared love for tile, people, and the genuine desire to help.
When she's not at Fireclay, Cristina's hobbies include traveling, tennis, hiking, reading, and woodworking.
Favorite Thing about Fireclay: The commitment to do good by our clients, employees, environment, and most importantly the communities we live and work in.
Danielle brings over 20 years of web development experience to the Fireclay Tile team. She's built and managed websites for large media companies, food startups, non-profits, professional athletes, and just about anyone in between. When not behind a keyboard, you can find Danielle practicing her skills in the kitchen, fostering rescue pugs, traveling with her daughter, or heading up the Family Council Board at VCU.
Favorite things about Fireclay: The amazing people, beautiful products, and the focus on sustainability, accountability, and transparency.
My name is Dave and I am excited to be a part of the Fireclay Tile Team. I spent time as a Medic in the military, as a Veteran themed radio talk show host, worked in addiction treatment, as a government contractor, in the veterinary field, and at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. I bring customer service, communication, and organizational skills with me wherever I go and I always look forward to what's ahead.
Dave joined Fireclay in early 2020, bringing 15 years experience in the interiors industry. After a successful career in furniture sales and retail management, Dave is thrilled to continue his passion for design as an A&D representative with several years experience in ceramics.
A lifelong Midwesterner, Dave calls Chicago home. When not working, Dave is a passionate home cook, traveler, husband, and cat dad.
Favorite thing about Fireclay Tile: The passion for ethical, sustainable business practices while remaining committed to beautiful materials!
David is a native of New York where he received his master's degree in opera performance from The Manhattan School of Music. A California transplant for over a decade now, David found his way to Fireclay Tile through the world of construction and design where he has worked as a project manager. Past projects consist of Platinum LEED builds, affordable housing, and custom homes featured in DWELL and Luxe Interiors.
My favorite thing about Fireclay: Seeing the art that is created from the handmade tiles.
With a degree in Interior Design from SF State University, her approach to interior design is to make every room a functional piece of art. During her time at Fireclay, she followed her passion for email marketing where she takes the same approach to every email. Loves to nerd out on data and uses it to inspire her work!
Deven grew up in California and Hawaii. He started his entrepreneurial journey 25 years ago in post-communist Prague and has since built up an eclectic set of skills and experiences. He is a managing partner at White Road Investments where he and his colleagues invest in healthy, active brands that focus on sustaining people, communities, and the planet. In addition, Deven is the Director of Corporate Finance at Clif Bar and Company where he leads a team responsible for corporate development, bank relationships, and financing. Prior to joining Clif, he worked with Bank of America and BofA Securities for 8 years in various roles from financing telecommunications projects in Brazil to consumer products companies in the Bay Area. Being a CFA charter holder, he loves the finance side of house but secretly walks on the creative side. He lives in Marin County with his family and prefers being outside exposed to the elements.
Favorite thing about Fireclay: Working in the Handpainting Department and getting to paint every day.
Job Titles:
- Customer Support Specialist
I was born and raised in Santa Cruz. I graduated from California State University Monterey Bay with a degree in Environmental Studies and a concentration in sustainable communities. It's important to me to work for a company that shares my values. When I'm not at work you can find me mountain biking, surfing, rock climbing, playing soccer, or sewing!
Job Titles:
- Regional Showroom Manager, West Coast
Emily is a midwest girly! Moved to California in 2020 to avoid the snowy season in Chicago. Went to school for fashion and loves all things clothing and interior design. My favorite things are Gilmore Girls reruns, anything salted caramel and snuggling my cat, October!
Favorite Thing About Fireclay: The people! We have the best team, I have learned so much from them. It really is a joy to come to work with my showroom team each day, we laugh together we get creative together!
Job Titles:
- Inside Residential Sales Manager
Emily hails from sunny Southern California and moved to San Francisco to study Interior Design. After design school she worked in a local furniture showroom where she developed her skills in color coordination and spacial planning. From there she started a small real estate staging company before joining Fireclay. On the weekends you can find Emily at the beach, baking, reading, or hanging out with her cute dog, Bosley. Emily can be reached at Emily@fireclaytile.
Favorite thing about Fireclay: The people. My fellow design consultants and coworkers are among some of my favorite people in the world. We all care deeply about what we do.
Job Titles:
- Manager of Our Roller Hearth Kiln ( RHK ) Department
Eric Edelson joined Fireclay in 2009 to manage the business. Previously, Eric was the Vice President of Finance and Business Development at Nuun & Company, the leading sports beverage product in specialty retail. Before Nuun, Eric spent four years at Lehman Brothers in its Private Equity and Principal Investments groups. Eric has a BA from Amherst College and an MBA from Stanford University. Eric is an avid runner loves spending his weekends in the Marin Headlands. Eric can be reached at eric@fireclaytile.com.
Erika is a team player and very excited to join the Fireclay Family! She most recently worked as a Planner for a Lidar Manufacturer in Silicon Valley. Erika has many years of experience in Customer Service and Sales. Her passion is her family and she's always up for a challenge and trying new things. Whenever she gets the chance, Erika loves to head to the beach and just listen to the waves- It's what makes her soul happy!
With over 18 years in the interior design industry, Erin brings a variety of experience and expertise to the home environment. She enjoys connecting with her clients and curating beautiful spaces they will love forever.
Erin is a graduate of Parsons, The New School for Design in New York City. She has worked extensively on residential and commercial interior design projects across the country. A city dweller at heart, Erin spent the last two decades living in both the SF Bay Area and NYC. Feeling the need for some fresh air and big open sky, she recently made her way back home to the midwest, adopting what she likes to call a "mid-coastal" lifestyle. She currently resides in St. Louis with her amazing tweenage daughter and a very handsome puggle named Willie Nelson. When she's not busy helping her clients, you'll find her thrifting vintage furniture and decor, listening to old records, or exploring new places around town.
Favorite thing about Fireclay Tile: The level of thoughtfulness and creativity that resonates through every aspect of the company.
Job Titles:
- Production Scheduling Specialist, Spokane
Gabby is a Wisconsin native turned Atlanta local, now residing in Seattle. Throughout her upbringing, Gabby's design-oriented parents moved their family throughout the midwest and along the east coast before settling in the suburbs of Atlanta, designing every home they lived in along the way. After growing up in design showrooms, it's no wonder Gabby graduated from Georgia Southern University with a degree in Interior Design.
Gabby kicked off her career in residential interior design, where she realized her passion for sourcing finishes & furnishings. She is particularly passionate about helping her clients express themselves through their selections. After spending a few years in the furniture industry, Gabby came to Fireclay Tile, excited to shift her focus to sustainable, handcrafted finishes.
In her free time, you'll find Gabby playing with her pup, practicing yoga, listening to a podcast, and always crafting up a new iced coffee concoction.
Job Titles:
- People Operations Representative
Ginger is a multigenerational Texan having lived and worked all over the state from Dallas to San Antonio. She is a graduate from Texas State University with a dual bachelor's degree and an associate in Art from Dallas Colleges. Ginger has a strong background in design, ceramics, and sales. Fireclay perfectly blends her two passions in customer service and textile manufacturing. In her off time, you can find Ginger on the pottery wheel, at the beach with her dog, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Favorite thing about Fireclay Tile: What I love most about fireclay is that all of our products are made in the US, they invest in their employees and I get to represent a sustainable product and factory.
Grace is a Californian through and through and has lived all over the state from Oakland to San Diego to Santa Cruz. She has a Bachelor of Fine Art from Cal State East Bay, with an emphasis in spacial planning and color theory. Grace also has a strong background in visual merchandising, sales management, and installation art. Fireclay perfectly blends her two passions: interior spaces and environmental sustainability. In her off time, you can find Grace crafting, gardening, and playing with her dog Basil!
Favorite thing about Fireclay: The stunning handmade product! Each piece of tile has it's own character and personality that blends with the others for that perfectly, imperfect harmony.
Job Titles:
- State University and Has an Executive
Greg Colando is a graduate of Illinois State University and has an Executive Masters from Keenan Flagler Business School. He has over 30 years of experience in building and leading both large and small businesses. Greg has also owned his own business.
A large part of Greg's career was spent with Interface Inc, one of the largest commercial carpet tile manufacturers in the US. While with Interface He designed and built the business division FLOR. FLOR was the first multi-channel business selling carpet tile direct to the consumer. Greg also served as President of the commercial division of Interface.
Greg became involved with Fireclay due to Eric Edelson's desire to learn about the building and development of the FLOR brand. Eric wanted to pursue a sales and marketing strategy similar to FLOR. After being introduced to Fireclay, its people, its mission, and spending time with Eric, Greg was sold. He wanted to play a part in this journey.
Today, Greg fills a great deal of his time as a business advisor to two commercial contract companies and also serves on two boards, one of which is Fireclay. Greg is married and has three children and four grandchildren. He is a Chicago native and still makes Chicago his home.
Job Titles:
- Sales and Client Support Specialist
I'm a graduate of San Jose State University with a BA in Sociology and a minor in Public Relations. A fun fact about me is I cheered for 9 years! I spent my last years cheering at SJSU and now, during my free time, I coach an all-star cheer team. My hobbies and interests vary from playing with my dogs and being outdoors to binge-watching tv shows and reading.
Favorite thing about Fireclay: The beautiful glaze colors we get to make every day.
I was born in LA, but grew up in Aromas where the Fireclay Factory is located. I've known of Fireclay for many years through family and close friends before joining the team 3 years ago-- it's been an amazing ride. The Sample Department has evolved a lot in the last 3 years, with many more great changes to come! When I'm not at work, I enjoy watching all sports, but soccer is my number one. In my free time, I like to explore new places and hang out with friends and family.
Favorite thing about Fireclay: I like how it's a healthy work environment. There are many opportunities for everyone.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Brand and Marketing
Jamie joined the Fireclay Tile team as Creative Director in 2013. Prior to working with Fireclay Tile she sold the companies products in boutique retail shops throughout the country. Her expertise lies in merchandising, product development and retail store design with over 10 years experience in home improvement retail. She has worked for sustainably minded start-ups in Seattle, WA, San Francisco, CA and Austin, TX. Her passion for bold art and clean design with a healthy dose of restraint, drive most creative decisions in her life and at Fireclay Tile. Away from the daily creative routine, you'll find her in the pottery studio, camping, hiking, or if she's lucky… two stepping. Jamie holds a degree in Art History from Virginia Tech.
Favorite thing about Fireclay Tile: The raw creative energy that exists at our Aromas, CA factory.
Born and raised in Europe, Jane relocated to California in her adolescence. It was there that she found her place in the Bay Area in Santa Cruz, where she studied Art History before moving to Berkeley.
Passionate about the environment, Jane has always chosen to work with the most sustainable and ecologically responsible brands throughout her career.
In her free time you can find Jane exploring new hiking trails with her dog Lada, tending to her garden and hunting for new furniture gems to restore.
Favorite thing about Fireclay: The level of customization, endless color and shape combinations will stoke the creative fire in just about anyone!
In my spare time, I love to cook and bake. It was my dream to open my own bakery when I was younger. I love crafting, reading, and spending time with family. I have known Fireclay Tile my whole life and am grateful to be here. I've worked in Handpainting, helped out in the People office, and finally found where I truly belong - on the Accounting team!
Favorite Thing about Fireclay Tile: I have known Fireclay Tile literally my whole life, it is amazing to see how much it has evolved. I love working with a company that cares so much about the environment and its people!
Javier is a recent transplant to Los Angeles from Washington D.C. He has 10 years of experience working in hospitality in the fitness and wellness industry and is excited to bring his love of collaboration, building community, and problem-solving to Fireclay. With a background in set design, he is also excited to flex his creative muscles again. When not working, Javier is an avid photographer, runner, and traveler.
Job Titles:
- Inside Residential Sales Manager
Jennifer is originally from the Midwest and is now based in Boston. After earning her degree in Communications and French, Jennifer spent over a decade working in the fashion industry in New York and Chicago before landing in Boston. It was during this time that she developed her keen eye for design as well as a passion for building meaningful relationships with her clients. A lover of puns and dad jokes, Jennifer also enjoys yoga, painting, cooking, and traveling the world.
Favorite Thing About Fireclay: Definitely the people! I've never felt so welcome in a space and it's a really magical thing.
Job Titles:
- Director of Operations, Spokane
I was born and raised in LA county, before moving to study at UC Merced. Prior to Fireclay, I was a recruiter at a staffing agency. When I'm not at Fireclay, I enjoy spending time with family, trying out different restaurants, and traveling.
Favorite thing about Fireclay Tile: Not only is it a company that produces beautiful tile, it's a company that has and follows great values.
Favorite thing about Fireclay: My favorite thing about Fireclay is working in the Handpainting Department and getting to paint every day.
Jude moved from Southern California to the Monterey Bay and fell in love with the coastal views and not having to sit in traffic anymore. In her free time, she loves to paint, making coffee, and volunteers as a distant learning tutor k-5 students.
Favorite Thing About Fireclay: The amazing colors and designs that are being made.
Job Titles:
- People Operations Representative
Julia was born and raised in San Jose, CA. She has 15+ years of Recruiting experience in both high tech and retail industries. When not working, Julia spends time with her 3 children and has a strong passion for animal rescue, wine tasting and interior design.
Job Titles:
- Sales and Client Support Specialist
I am a proud mom of two gorgeous kids, Emma and Maxx. I am also married to my soulmate and we love going on gym dates and watching movies at home. Family is everything to us. I have worked in customer service/reception since the age of 17. Prior to Fireclay, I attended beauty school and I love hairstyling on the side. I came to Fireclay through an agency after being a stay at home mom for 2 years. Fireclay gave me the opportunity of a lifetime!
Favorite thing about Fireclay Tile: How supportive and friendly everyone is. Their everyday attitudes are always positive and energizing. I love the desire this company has to grow, improve, and make the workplace a safe and happy place for every employee.
Kali hails from the Pacific Northwest and majored in Journalism and double minored in Comparative Literature and Communication Studies at the University of Oregon. After working at a magazine and then visual merchandising, her interest in interior design grew and she joined the sales team at Fireclay. Six months later, she moved over to marketing where she manages partnerships and PR.
Favorite thing about Fireclay Tile: I love that every single tile is made by hand and made to order.
Favorite thing about Fireclay: My favorite thing about Fireclay is the art I get to make.
Katya is a New Yorker through and through, currently calling Brooklyn home. She has a deep proclivity for organization, art, and design. Having worked in the wedding and events industry for almost 10 years, Katya values personal connections and collaboration with clients to create long-lasting and unique designs. Her love for interior design, patterns, and color led her to pursue a career with Fireclay. When she is not helping bring Tile to the People, you can find her reading the next great thriller, walking her sweet pup Maddie, and taking in the architecture in her neighborhood. A little-known fact is that Katya was born in Ukraine and grew up immersed in all things Ukrainian, feel free to ask her about it!
Favorite thing about Fireclay Tile: The kindness and care we show to our handmade product and to each other!
Job Titles:
- Commercial Sales Rep Serving NYC
With a background in Product Design and Visual Merchandising, Kristen made her way across the country from Louisiana to land solidly at home at Fireclay Tile. With a background in Product Design and Visual Merchandising, she is passionate about working with handmade, sustainable products that allow true creative expression.
A Southern California native, Kristina found her home in San Francisco when she moved up here for college. She holds degrees in both Journalism & Culinary Arts and has a background as a food and culture writer, cook, & events coordinator. Her proclivity for interior design, patterns, and color led her to pursue a job with Fireclay. From writing to cooking to design, Kristina has always allowed her creative passions to be the driving force behind her career path, but one thing has always remained consistent - her desire to genuinely connect with the folks she interacts with in a meaningful way.
Outside of work, you can find her tending to her houseplants, cuddling her two cats, experimenting in the kitchen, traveling, learning a new craft, and reading anything she can get her hands on.
Favorite Thing About Fireclay: The focus on innovative design and sustainability, our commitment to treading lightly on the earth, and the endless color combinations to find inspiration through!
As the daughter of Mexican immigrants, Laura brings her passion for immigration, diversity & inclusion to the People Team at Fireclay Tile.
Laura speaks Spanish fluently, is an identical twin, and mother of three (two of which are twins!). In her spare time, Laura is Head Coach for the Spirit of Morgan Hill Softball league, and an active member of SHRM, NCHRA, and the NNA.
Favorite thing about Fireclay Tile: Our opportunity to design creative programs, solve challenges in partnership with all levels, be in front, and in support of business goals is all stuff I am super excited about. Tile to the People!
Lia is a Colorado native with a bachelor's degree in Studio Arts and Psychology. While living in the Bay Area, she discovered her passion and appreciation for the beauty and impact tile has in both public and private spaces. She comes to Fireclay with years of experience in retail, design, and manufacturing. In her free time, you will find her skiing in the Rocky Mountains and spending time with her husband and two boys.
Favorite Thing About Fireclay: Fireclay tile is an important part of the history of handmade ceramic tile in California. This history, combined with a steadfast commitment to our customers, people, and the environment makes Fireclay a company I am proud to work for.
Favorite thing about Fireclay: I like the culture at Fireclay and the type of work I get to do.
Job Titles:
- Production Team Member - Mosaics / Production Team Member - Mosaics
Loni made her way from the dusty deserts of Calexico to the coastal breezes of the Monterey Bay after graduating with a double major in graphic design and photography. Before joining Fireclay Tile, Loni worked as a designer at an agency. She discovered the joy of working with non-profits and bringing their good causes to life with powerful design. When she's not in the office, Loni likes going on hikes with her favorite podcasts, traveling the globe with her fiancé, and snuggling with her cat Pfeiffer.
My name is Lorena. In my spare time, I like to go for walks and I like to cook.
Job Titles:
- Senior Sales and Client Support Specialist
Maddie was born and raised in Gilroy, California. She graduated from San Jose State University with her degree in Public Relations. While earning her degree, she worked at Garlic World allowing her to interact with people from all walks of life. Maddie has a passion for the outdoors and is always up for a challenge.
While studying international business in college Malari stumbled upon her creative outlet renovating an early 1900s bungalow, where she found a passion for sustainable design rooted in her experiments with reclaimed materials, organic gardening, and composting. A Kansas City Native, Malari also lived and traveled in South America before moving west.
Prior to joining Fireclay, Malari spent four years as a Residential Interior Designer with an emphasis in energy and environmental design. When she is not obsessing over color theory in the showroom, you can find her gardening or cycling around Berkeley for the best-hidden eats.
Fav thing about fireclay: working with organic materials and designs influenced from all over the world for over hundreds of years.
I have my BS in Business Administration from California State University, Sacramento. I was born and raised in Gilroy. Before Fireclay, I worked as a Staff Accountant for Mainstreet Media who owned the Gilroy Dispatch, Morgan Hill Times, Hollister Freelance, and several other local newspapers for 13 years. When not crunching numbers, I love to hang out with niece and nephew, my family, and my boyfriend Nathan. We enjoy exploring California's history, finding new waterfalls, Disneyland, and country concerts.
Job Titles:
- Shannon / Design Consultant / Design Consultant
My name is Mark Bell. I have a passion for everything ceramics especially when it involves big machines. When I'm not getting dusty, I love spending time camping and backpacking with my wife Chrissy and my dog Liberty Bell. I love running, cycling, and challenging myself to be better. Currently, I am working towards running a 50k, and hope to accomplish it soon!
Job Titles:
- Senior Showroom Design Consultant
Bay Area native Mark Jacques joins the Fireclay Tile team after years spent in the A&D industry with Carnegie Fabrics. For over 20 years Mark has used his eye for color and design as an internationally celebrated make-up artist; teaching classes coast to coast while working behind the scenes at globally celebrated events. When not working, Mark can be found producing charity events and volunteering with the non-profit organization he has been a passionate member of for nearly 20 years, having served as Vice President and mentor to many. In his free time, Mark enjoys spending time with his fur babies, cycling, working on projects around the home, and spending time in the kitchen whipping up some magic.
My favorite thing about Fireclay: As a company, we strive to not only better our industry, but also our planet.
Martin attended Chesterfield College of Technology in the United Kingdom where he studied masonry construction and management. He has over 40 years of experience in the tile industry. Martin is an active member of the tile community. He has a strong commitment to the dissemination of best practices in the tile industry and is an active member of several industry committees including the American National Standards Institute A108 Committee, the National Tile Contractors Association Technical Committee, and the Standards and Methods Committee. Currently, Martin serves as an Executive Board Member of the National Tile Contractors Association.
Favorite Thing about Fireclay: Fireclay Tile offers a creative environment where employees can now contribute to the production and installation of high-quality tiles.
Favorite thing about Fireclay: The people are my favorite thing about Fireclay. I feel comfortable with everyone because they're all so friendly.
Born and raised on the East Coast, Meagan recently celebrated a decade of being a California transplant. Living in San Francisco for 5 years before moving to Los Angeles, she continues to travel statewide to appreciate the abundant natural beauty the Golden State has to offer. With a background in art history and design, Meagan enjoys cultivating beauty in the world at every opportunity. She also enjoys baking delicious desserts and gifting them to her friends and family, solving puzzles and Sudoku, and spending quality time with her musician partner and their two kittens.
Favorite thing about Fireclay Tile: Internal and external transparency and unflagging commitment to improving our sustainability measures
Michelle has spent the last 20 years as a leader in the CPG industry, helping to build disruptive brands across numerous health + wellness categories. In her current role as CEO and Co-Founder of the start-up Harlow, she is channeling her passion for creating businesses-for-good to reinvent the pet personal care space.
Prior to starting Harlow, Michelle spent 11 years as a method PBC "person against dirty" where she led the turnaround of the cleaning + dish businesses in her role as Home Care GM, launched the award-winning "Say No to Jugs" campaign as the head of Brand Experience and most recently, led the North American organization in her role as VP, GM North America to deliver double-digit top and bottom-line growth, build the industry's first LEED platinum-certified manufacturing plant and scale to a successful exit to SC Johnson in 2017.
Prior to joining method, Michelle spent eight years in CPG leadership positions across Clorox, Nestle Powerbar, and Bevology, a natural beverage start-up based in San Francisco.
Michelle holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a B.S. in Business from UC Riverside. She lives in San Francisco with her best dog friend, Beatrice and spends her free time underwater as a Hawaii almost-resident and as a certified rescue diver.
Job Titles:
- Sales & Client Support Specialist
Job Titles:
- Showroom Design Consultant
Michelle is a San Francisco native with a heavy background in the arts and customer service. She's always looking to make a difference by helping others, so being able to flex her design muscles in the sales industry has proven to be a great fit. After working for various furniture companies, Michelle found that the aspects she loved about furniture, i.e. material, quality, and form, also translated to tile. In the off hours, you can find Michelle at a dance class, hanging out with her dog, or walking on the beach.
Favorite Thing About Fireclay: The continuous commitment to sustainability while creating stunning, and high quality tiles.
Born and raised in Indianapolis, Minna relocated to Chicago to complete her degree in Interior Architecture. After working as a designer for commercial firms, her love of tile led her to a Design Consultant position at Fireclay. Minna loves creating fun and unique spaces that make people go, "Wow this is really cool!" In her free time, she loves thrifting, estate sale shopping, going to concerts, and trying the latest restaurants in her city.
Favorite Thing About Fireclay: Being on a team that cares about its people, products, and customers!
Job Titles:
- Manager, Creative Services Manager, Creative Services
I graduated with a degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences from California State University, Monterey Bay. I enjoy spending time exploring the outdoors, hosting dinner parties with friends and traveling the world with my wonderful wife. I am so grateful to be working with such a wonderful company that pledges itself for the betterment of the planet!
Favorite thing about Fireclay Tile: Working with such wonderful people day in and day out.
Originally from Maryland, Noela has called New York City home since 2011. With a knack for design and a genuine love for helping people, she's honed her skills in creating amazing experiences for clients, starting in the world of luxury retail. Wanting to explore new avenues of creativity, Noela transitioned from fashion to interior design, working in both tile and custom furniture showrooms. Noela is committed to guiding clients in transforming their spaces so they reflect their personality and style. In her free time, she loves visiting museums and is continually working on her own space.
Favorite thing about Fireclay: I love that we can make such a gorgeous product while staying true to what our company stands for. Everyone on our team is committed to not losing sight of our values.
My name is Carolina. I previously worked for Target and have experience in packing. I consider myself to be a sociable person and I like to be nice to everyone. In my free time, I like to go on walks with my dog Dante.
I am the proud father of 3 great children, who I love spending time with in my free time. I came to Fireclay Tile after having worked at Stonelight Tile shortly after starting my family-- almost 30 years ago!
Favorite thing about Fireclay Tile: I love the product we create and that we use mostly recycled materials-- we care about our planet. It's great to see how much this company has grown and evolved over the past 30 years.
Sabrina grew up in Connecticut, but moved to California a several years ago to San Luis Obispo, where she studied Interior Design. In her free time, she enjoys playing the guitar and songwriting.
Favorite thing about Fireclay: Seeing all the creative tile ideas designers, architects, and homeowners come up with.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Manufacturing
I grew up in the South Valley town of Gilroy just north of Aromas and come from a proud Mexican-American family from Guadalajara Mexico. I have been involved in manufacturing operations for close to 7 years. I have been blessed to be supported by wonderful family and friends my entire life. I am a true believer in second chances with a never-quit attitude. #ganas
Favorite thing about Fireclay Tile: Developing People and providing new skills and opportunities to the Central Calif. Coast community. I also enjoy being part of people-first driven company with a continuous improvement culture in all operations. I am honored to lead operations that support a vision started 30+ years ago.
Samantha is a Brooklyn-based design enthusiast who is driven by her passion for bringing imaginative concepts to life. Prior to joining Fireclay Tile, she gained years of experience in retail design where her love for building 3D renderings was born. Samantha is thrilled to be working with all of Fireclay's incredible clients and to bring her creativity into every unique project. Outside of work, she enjoys immersing herself in New York City's vibrant food scene and cherishing quality time at home with her two cats.
Job Titles:
- Strategic Accounts Manager
Experienced in launching products and branding campaigns on a national scale, Sarah has worked in A+D sales and marketing strategy for over 10 years. Her love of design started young-her first BIG project involved meticulously replicating a pattern from Kmart's Martha Stewart Bedding Collection onto her bedroom walls. It is this same commitment to customization that explains Sarah's love for Fireclay and its nearly infinite combination of colors and sizes resulting in spaces that are entirely unique to the project and firm. Sarah resides in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn and can often be found wandering its streets with her dog, Frankie.
My favorite thing about Fireclay Tile: The incredible group of artists that make up our factory team. I am so proud to introduce their beautiful handwork to the equally gifted architects and designers we're lucky enough to partner with.
Serena hails from Southern California. She moved to the Bay Area for art school and graduated with a degree in graphic design from California College of the Arts. Before joining Fireclay Tile, Serena worked at several small Bay Area design studios where she worked on branding, print and web design projects, oftentimes for clients in the nonprofit sector. In her free time Serena enjoys cooking, gardening, bicycling and doing DIY projects with her husband. She's also completely obsessed with her boxer pup, Herschel.
Shannon has always prided herself as someone who has thrived off of expecting the unexpected---after all, it's what led her to find Fireclay Tile! After receiving her BS in Fashion Design from Syracuse University, she set her sites on using her creativity to help others express themselves through apparel, home design, and the retail space. She spent the majority of her career in Chicago's Design District and, after (narrowly) surviving 8 Midwest winters, set her sites on a career in the athletic apparel industry here in California. When she's not working hard to inspire happiness and creativity in the home, you can find Shannon designing craft beer labels, talking to her Husky, or running races up and down the coast!
Favorite thing about Fireclay: My favorite thing about Fireclay is the beautiful glaze colors we get to make.
Job Titles:
- Outside Commercial Sales Rep
Sydney, born and raised in Dallas, TX, supports Fireclay Tile across the Lone Star State. With a background in commercial furniture and technology, her passion lies in helping clients create beautiful spaces, while leveraging great technology for the best customer experience. In her free time, you'll find Sydney chasing her one-year-old son, often outdoors and occasionally tripping (or snacking on rocks). She loves the simple joys in life, whether its hiking in Colorado or channeling her creativity in painting and crafting sourdough bread.
Favorite Thing About Fireclay: The people! Fireclay's focus on sustainability, treading lightly on the earth, and making the most beautiful tile would not be possible without the people behind the scenes making it all happen.
Job Titles:
- Performance Marketing Manager
Ted lives for adventure in the outdoors, believing that having fun in wild places is the best way we can appreciate nature enough to protect it. When he and his wife aren't off the beaten path with their dog Rambles, Ted enjoys writing, cooking, and political engagement.
Favorite Thing About Fireclay: Handmade tile requires earth and people and Fireclay makes a priority of treating each with value and respect.
A San Francisco native, Terapan graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Integrative Biology and worked in healthcare, sustainability, and visual merchandising before breaking into the interior design industry. He eventually started his own Home Organizing & Design business which introduced him to Fireclay Tile. At Fireclay, he has found a love for the sustainable production process and enjoys guiding clients to thoughtfully manifest their tile dreams. In his free time, you'll find him researching new organizational hacks, planning his next vacation, or looking for new restaurants & bars in SF to explore.
Favorite thing about Fireclay: All the friendly faces. We're all real people who just really love tile.
Oakland native Tiffannie White comes to Fireclay with an extensive background in Culinary Arts where she started a company specializing in film catering. With her mother and grandmother's eye for interior design and entrepreneurial spirit embedded in her, Tiffannie studied Architecture and became a Design Consultant with Fireclay Tile. Connecting with people and providing meaningful experiences is her strong suit. Outside of Fireclay, you can catch Tiffannie creating memories with her family, enjoying the outdoors, trying Pinterest recipes, freelancing design projects, and dancing with her kids.
Favorite thing about Fireclay: Getting the opportunity to help a client's design vision come to life, and all the wonderful connections made with both clients and colleagues.
Job Titles:
- Showroom Design Consultant
Unha has spent over a decade working in A&D sales in the NYC market, promoting emerging design brands across lighting and furniture-- and now tile! She loves the collaborative, creative nature of Fireclay product, and as a native Californian with a background in design, Fireclay feels like home.
Favorite Thing About Fireclay: So much! Our handmade process and custom capabilities with color. The optimism of the company culture. The support I get as a working mom.
Job Titles:
- Director of Commercial Sales
Victoria joined the Fireclay team in 2016 with over a decade of experience working in architectural and design communities throughout the Midwest. She has a degree in Interior Design from the University of Wisconsin Stout and resides in the vibrant city of Chicago. She has spent her career immersed in the materials side of the design world and has cultivated a lifelong interest in sustainable building practices. An avid traveler, Victoria is curious about global art and design and its impact on community and culture. Outside of Fireclay, you can find her exploring Chicago with her family and meeting as many dogs as she can.
My favorite thing about Fireclay Tile: Our commitment to crafting beautiful tile in a sustainable way that takes into mind our planet, our people, and our communities.
Job Titles:
- Technician, Materials Lab
Job Titles:
- Sales & Client Support Specialist