MIA celebrates 2012 award winners

Paul Vigna:

Migliore Lifetime Achievement Award

LAS VEGAS, NV — Paul Vigna, who spent over 50 years in the natural stone industry, has been awarded the 2012 Migliore Award for Lifetime Achievement by the Marble Institute of America (MIA). Vigna accepted the award at the annual MIA Awards Luncheon held during StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas 2013 in Las Vegas, NV, where several awards were presented.

Paul’s career began in 1963 when he heard about a temporary job at Everlasting Terrazzo, Tile and Marble in Trenton, NJ. To further his education, he later took architectural courses at Mercer County Community College and Princeton University. After spending many years working in Trenton, Atlantic City and New York, Paul operated his own firm, Reynolds Tile, Terrazzo and Marble in Trenton for 14 years. In 1992, he joined Artisan Tile and Marble Co. of New Jersey. Shortly after he joined the company, he was promoted to president of the firm’s Artisan Stone Division.

“Paul was a very close friend of Vince Migliore, and I am sure Vince would be pleased to see Paul’s name as a recipient of his award,” said Brett Rugo, who nominated Vigna for this prestigious award. “Vigna’s commitment to his family, community and professional life all speak to the well-rounded life he has led.”

John Kunz:

Craftsman of the Year Award

MIA has also announced that John Kunz of Kepco+ in Salt Lake City, UT, is the 2012 recipient of the MIA Natural Stone Craftsman of the Year Award.

Kunz began working as an apprentice stone mason for a residential contractor doing interior walls, floors and countertops, exterior walls and planters.

Kunz began working for KEPCO+ as a seasoned journeyman setter and crew trainer in 1992. Within a few months, he was promoted to foreman, and in 1998 he was promoted to General Superintendent. In 2004, he was promoted to his current role of Field Operations Manager. Part of a team that has won nine MIA Pinnacle Awards in the past decade, Kunz has been the point man in the field for Kepco+ for various projects.

Jill Archambeau:

Natural Stone Scholarship Award

Jill Archambeau, Sales/Office Manager for RockSolid Stone Works (RSW) of Cleveland, OH, is the winner of the 2012 MIA Natural Stone Scholarship Award, presented annually to aspiring industry fabricators, installers, apprentices and administrative employees interested in furthering their careers in the stone industry.

Archambeau’s selection was based on a 500-word essay explaining her commitment to the natural stone industry. In her essay, Archambeau said, “I’ve always felt that training is the most important part of any job. I believe this scholarship is one resource that will give me the opportunity to learn, improve and master many new and existing skills. As with any learning opportunity that presents itself, I will share my experience with my co-workers and team. In today’s market place, knowledge and improvement of one’s self should be a goal for every employee and business owner.”

MIA Executive Vice President, Jim Hieb, stated, “Jill is a fantastic representative of the natural stone industry and her energy is contagious. It was fantastic to award this scholarship to someone who truly appreciated and took advantage of it.”