Speakers

Duane Naquin

Duane Naquin

Partner, CEO
Stone Interiors North America

Speakers - Duane Naquin | Stone Industry Education | Stone World
Stone Industry Education presented by Natural Stone Institute and Stone World magazine

Duane Naquin Duane Naquin
Partner, CEO
Stone Interiors North America

Duane is one of the founding partners, and CEO, of Stone Interiors North America, a management company operating Natural Stone Institute accredited fabrication facilities in both Mobile, AL and Columbia, SC. In addition to direct management of these facilities, Stone Interiors also offers consulting services to other fabricators throughout the country. Duane also serves as Chairman of the Natural Stone Institute Education Committee. This role provides him with the opportunity to travel throughout the country presenting seminars and training classes for the Natural Stone Institute on the natural stone business.

GK Naquin

GK Naquin

Partner
Stone Interiors North America

Speakers - GK Naquin | Stone Industry Education | Stone World
Stone Industry Education presented by Natural Stone Institute and Stone World magazine

GK Naquin GK Naquin
Partner
Stone Interiors North America

GK Naquin has over 35 years of experience in the natural stone industry. He and his partners own Stone Interiors North America, a large fabrication company with 4 locations in the Southeast (2 of which have received the coveted MIA “accreditation” credential). GK’s accomplishments include: 2004 Pinnacle award for special use of stone; 2005 Stone World Magazine "Fabricator of the Year" Award; and, serves as 2011 president of the MIA and Board of Directors.

G.K. often provides independent consulting services to fabrication facilities and travels the country providing educational seminars at various industry related events such as Stone Expo, Coverings, KBIS and others.

Tony Malisani

Tony Malisani

Owner
Malisani Inc.

Speakers - Tony Malisani | Stone Industry Education | Stone World
Stone Industry Education presented by Natural Stone Institute and Stone World magazine

Tony Malisani Tony Malisani
Owner
Malisani Inc.

Tony Malisani, owner of a third generation stone shop, has been working in stone industry for 20 years. His business specializes in high-end custom work from fountains, monuments, custom furniture to countertops. Tony has extensive knowledge about business management in the stone industry with the understanding of the growing-opportunities for a small business.

His firm is one of the first companies in the nation to receive the coveted "Natural Stone Accredited Fabricator" credential. In 2010, Tony was also elected to serve a five year term on the MIA Board of Directors.

Mark Meriaux

Mark Meriaux

Accreditation & Technical Manager
Natural Stone Institute

Mark Meriaux | Stone World
Stone Industry Education presented by Natural Stone Institute and Stone World magazine

Mark Meriaux Mark Meriaux
Accreditation & Technical Manager
Natural Stone Institute

Mark Meriaux is Accreditation and Technical Manager for the Natural Stone Institute. After many years working in the industry, Mark joined the Natural Stone Institute staff in 2016.

Mark earned a BS of Mechanical Engineering Technology from Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology at Kennesaw State University in Marietta, GA in 1991. His post-collegiate career began in technical sales of HVAC and power generation equipment for multiple companies in the Atlanta, GA area. Mark’s career in the natural stone industry began in 2002 when he and a partner opened The Granite Shop in Smyrna, GA. The Granite Shop ceased operations when the partnership dissolved in 2008. Mark continued in the stone industry selling and managing fabrication of larger and larger stone installation projects from Miami, FL to Boston, MA. Mark has also been a founding member of two other stone industry trade groups for fabricators: Stone Fabricator’s Alliance (2006) and All Slab Fabbers (2019).

In Mark’s current role with the Natural Stone Institute, he oversees the Accreditation Program – the only independent credentialing program available to stone fabrication and installation companies. Mark serves on the staff technical team and provides technical help and guidance to member companies and design professionals. Mark also plays a key role in the Natural Stone Institute’s focus on Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) safety education and training resources.

Since 2016, Mark has had regular speaking engagements at major industry trade shows and regional education and safety events. In 2019, Mark presented RCS compliance education and safety training to over 750 attendees at 20+ events. During his annual travels, Mark visits over 150 stone fabrication companies each year. From these visits, Mark gains first-hand knowledge about common issues that stone fabrication companies face, and with that information can cater messaging and training that is both understandable and achievable.

Mark has been a resident of Marietta, GA for over 20 years, and lives with his wife, Stacy, and their two children, Sarah and Tyler.

Blake Christensen

Blake Christensen

Co-Founder
Valley View Granite

Blake Christensen - Stone Industry Education | Stone World
Stone Industry Education presented by Natural Stone Institute and Stone World magazine

Blake Christensen Blake Christensen
Co-Founder
Valley View Granite

In 2002, Blake and his father founded Valley View Granite in Tremonton, UT. Valley View Granite’s team has over 80 years of combined experience in the construction industry with over 35 years combined experience in the granite countertop industry.

Blake has spoken at a number of conferences and events including The International Surfaces Expo (TISE), Coverings and the Xiamen Stone Show and Stone Industry Education Series. He is currently serving as a Natural Stone Institute Board Member.

Eric Tryon

Eric Tryon

CEO
Premier Surfaces

Speakers - Eric Tryon | Stone Industry Education | Stone World
Stone Industry Education presented by Natural Stone Institute and Stone World magazine

Eric Tryon Eric Tryon
CEO
Premier Surfaces

In 2002 Eric Tryon started Premier Surfaces in Atlanta, GA. This venture was completely different than his previous life in a coat and tie “white collar” world. However, his business philosophy remains the same as day one of his career. Relationships, relationships, relationships. Frequently he tells his 135 employees over 4 locations (Atlanta, Birmingham, Huntsville, and Chattanooga) that “we are a relationship company”. Stone fabrication is just the product they represent.

Eric feels confident knowing his results speak volumes about the strength of his team and company. The company has profitably grown each year in business since inception. This includes growing through arguably the most challenging economic times. The recent downturn in the economy absolutely decimated the construction industry and he grew right through it. They genuinely care a great deal about their internal and external customers and show it each day. Happy customers / employees tell everyone about their experience. That is why the employee turnover rate is at a minimum and the biggest source of new customers is referrals.

The company has received many awards over the years. A few highlights are “Consumers Choice Award” in Atlanta each consecutive year from 2007-2015: “Top 20 Best Places to Work” in Atlanta. Eric was also named one of the Top 20 Entrepreneurs in Atlanta in 2012 and 2015. Premier Surfaces operates in 4 state of the art facilities in the SE. Premier Surfaces was one of the first accredited members for the Marble Institute of America.

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