OBERLIN, OH and CHESTERTOWN, NY -- Jan Ligas, estimator at Wilkstone in Paterson, NJ, was the 2016 recipient of the MIA+BSI Natural Stone Scholarship. Ligas was recognized for this award at the MIA+BSI Awards luncheon at TISE (The International Surface Event).

Ligas joined the staff at Wilkstone in 2014 and was fascinated by the industry almost immediately. “I discovered that there was an entire industry behind the marble and granite people used in their home and office décor,” he said. “I rapidly began to see the potential and creativity in the industry, and I was determined to be a part of this world.”

In a letter supporting his application, Wilkstone president Joseph Petti wrote, “Jan is a hardworking man and we would like to see him become an even greater asset to Wilkstone and the stone industry. This scholarship will give him the necessary skills and confidence to further his career and to mentor other young men and women in the future.”

The Natural Stone Scholarship covers travel and registration expenses for TISE and is designed to help aspiring stone industry professionals gain valuable technical and practical knowledge, meet and network with leading stone professionals and explore potentials for future leadership.