The Marble Institute of America (MIA) is pleased to announce that three individuals have been elected to the thirteen-person Board of Directors. These individuals were chosen by the MIA membership in mid-November. 

Buddy Ontra, owner of Ontra Stone Concepts

Above: Buddy Ontra, owner of Ontra Stone Concepts
Bruce Knaphus, president of KEPCO+, Inc.

Above: Bruce Knaphus, president of KEPCO+, Inc.
Mike Picco, president of Picco Engineering

Above: Mike Picco, president of Picco Engineering


Buddy Ontra, owner of Ontra Stone Concepts, a family-owned fabrication/installation company located in Bridgeport, CT, will represent Zone 1 (Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont). Ontra currently serves on the steering committee for MIA’s NY Metro Chapter and has been a frequent speaker at StonExpo and Coverings. He has also contributed articles to Stone World magazine and is active in his local chapter of the National Home Builders Association. Ontra replaces David Castellucci, Kenneth Castellucci & Associates, who will remain on the board as 2016 board president.


Bruce Knaphus, president of KEPCO+, Inc. (Knaphus Exterior Panel Company), an installation company located in Salt Lake City, UT, will represent Zone 6 (Rocky Mountain: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming). KEPCO+ has been the recipient of several MIA Pinnacle awards, as well as awards for advertising and office design.  Knaphus replaces Tony Malisani, Malisani Inc., 2014 board president.


Mike Picco, president of stone consulting company PICCO Engineering in Toronto, Ontario, will represent Zone 8 (Canada). Picco is co-chair of MIA’s Toronto chapter and is a regular speaker at Marmomacc, Coverings, and other industry events. His contributions also include regular updates of MIA’s Dimension Stone Design Manual and sponsorship at the MIA Award’s Luncheon since 2011. Picco replaces Patrick Perus, Polycor, who served as a board member for five years.


2015 MIA President Dan Rea (Coldspring) expressed his gratitude to the two outgoing board members, saying: “MIA appreciates the work done by both Tony and Patrick during their time on the MIA Board of Directors. With their help, we have made great strides as an association. We welcome the three new board members and look forward to what the future will bring.” 

For more information about the MIA Board of Directors, please visit www.marble-institute.com/about/board-of-directors.