OBERLIN, OH and CHESTERTOWN, NY-- MIA+BSI: the Natural Stone Institute has added two full-time staff members. Mark Meriaux has been hired as accreditation and technical manager, where he will have a blended role on staff managing the accreditation program and addressing technical inquiries from members and design professionals. Meriaux has 14 years of stone industry experience and was most recently a commercial sales manager with VT Industries. "I am very excited to be a part of the MIA+BSI team," he said. "I look forward to helping expand awareness and participation in the accreditation program."

Pam Hammond has also joined the staff as executive administrative assistant. She has over 15 years of trade association experience, most recently serving as the foundation program manager for the National Association of College Stores. Hammond will assist with a number of administrative functions to support the MIA+BSI executive team in enhancing and expanding member programming. "I am thrilled about joining the MIA+BSI team, where I hope to draw on the skills I have acquired from my previous association experience," she said. "The talented group of individuals at this organization are going places and I am excited to be a part of their bright future."  

"We are pleased to have Mark and Pam join the staff," said MIA+BSI CEO Jim Hieb. "Their combined stone industry and association knowledge and experience will be extremely helpful as MIA+BSI continues to expand programming for the entire natural stone industry."