Brandon, Miss.—Jim Isaminger, former owner and president of DMI Tile and Marble in Birmingham, Alabama, died Aug. 5 at age 91. A longtime member of the National Tile Contractors Association, Isaminger built a lasting legacy through his leadership, commitment to training and support for the tile trade.
DMI Tile and Marble earned national recognition for installation excellence and was an original NTCA Five-Star Contractor. The company’s Contractor Safety Program also helped lay the foundation for the Five-Star Accredited Contractor program, which recognizes leading tile contractors across the country.
Isaminger also played an important role in workforce development. He created one of the first open-shop apprenticeship programs and the U.S. Department of Labor approved his curriculum. NTCA later used much of that material to help develop its Apprenticeship Program with contributions from Dan Welch of Welch Tile and Marble and NTCA curriculum director Becky Serbin.
His commitment to education extended into the local community. Isaminger, his wife, Marilyn, their son, Terry and other DMI employees worked with middle and high school students in the Birmingham area to introduce them to careers in tile. Many of those students later entered the DMI Tile and Marble Apprenticeship Program. NTCA also used materials from the initiative to help promote the trade nationally.
Awards honoring Isaminger’s industry leadership
NTCA named Isaminger its Tile Person of the Year in 1996 and honored him with its Ring of Honor in 2005. He served as NTCA president from 2000 to 2002 and played a key role in hiring current NTCA executive director Bart Bettiga in 2001. Isaminger also authored the book “Point Up” and allowed NTCA to sell it through the association’s online store.
“If there was a Mount Rushmore for NTCA volunteer leaders, Jim Isaminger would certainly be on it,” said Bettiga.
A public visitation will take place Wednesday, Aug. 19, from 10 to 11 a.m. at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Vestavia, Alabama. The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. at the church, followed by interment at 1:15 p.m. at Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, Alabama.