The Marble Institute of America (MIA) has appointed three new individuals to the Accreditation Commission. Rob Barnes (Dee Brown, Inc.), Travis Collins (B.C. Stone, Inc.), and Gregory Lepore (Dan Lepore & Sons Company) were all recently appointed to a three-year term.

Rob Barnes, Dee Brown, Inc. Travis Collins, B.C. Stone Inc. Gregory Lepore, Lepore & Sons, Inc.

Gregory Lepore, Lepore & Sons, Inc.

Rob Barnes, Dee Brown, Inc.

Travis Collins, B.C. Stone Inc. 

Rob Barnes stated: “I believe accreditation will bring up the overall competency of our industry members. I am excited to be involved with the continual evolution of the program, and I hope to see us create a continuing education platform that I believe will be necessary for connecting with the architectural community.”

The Accreditation Commission is a governing body responsible for setting guidelines for MIA’s accreditation program and establishing rules and regulations for companies seeking accreditation. Responsibilities of commission members include:

  • Monitoring and revising accreditation program standards, policies and procedures
  • Actively promoting the accreditation program throughout the natural stone community
  • Responding to inquiries regarding qualifications for accreditation and maintaining accreditation status
  • Using established policies and practices to determine accreditation eligibility for companies in the natural stone industry

Greg Lepore said: “I’m pleased that the focus for the next few months is to build more awareness for the accreditation program in the design community and with consumers. We have an aggressive agenda, and we want to build the program on all fronts.” Travis Collins looks forward to this challenge: “We want to raise awareness of the accreditation program outside of the MIA circle. Accredited companies are committed to a higher standard, and consumers who understand what the MIA accreditation means can make a more educated decision when selecting a company.”

Continuing on the Commission are Commission Chair Rodney Harvey (Curtain Wall Design & Consulting, Inc.), Monica Gawet (Tennessee Marble Company), Guido Gliori (Grazzini Brothers & Co.), GK Naquin (Stone Interiors), Bernie van Etten (Murphy Marble Company) and Robert Zavagno (Cleveland Marble Mosaic Company). 

MIA would also like to welcome the 2015 members of the Accreditation Appeals Committee: Kevin Camarata (Camarata Masonry Systems, Inc.), Scott Lardner (Rocky Mountain Stone), and Brad Pearce (Front Range Stone). Appeals Committee members serve one-year terms and are responsible for receiving and considering appeals for accreditation.

For more information on accreditation, visit the MIA website, www.marble-institute.com