Innovative Stone LLC, a leading fabricator, supplier and distributor of branded natural stone products, has appointed Ciska Kruger Chief Operating Officer (COO).

“Kruger was selected as Innovative Stone’s COO because of her instrumental role in helping the company reach milestones,” said Karen Pearse, CEO and founder of Innovative Stone. “She continually demonstrates the ability to take creative ideas and execute with precision.”

During her tenure at Innovative Stone, Kruger helped build a company with 35 employees to more than 500 in less than six years. In addition, she successfully led a team to establish three additional distribution centers in less than eight months after the national rollout of Stonemark - the industry’s first branded granite countertop with PermaShield protection that resulted in a paradigm shift in the industry.

Kruger began with Innovative Marble and Tile in 1998 as Director of Marketing and Business Development.  In this role, she established relationships with Innovative’s commercial clients, architects and designers, while developing successful training, educational and marketing materials. She co-authored “The Power of Stone” CD-ROM and course book and managed the Building Material Learning Center.

In 2002, Kruger became the president of Innovative Stone’s Residential Business Unit, where she was responsible for managing the Home Depot countertop business, vendor relations, brand management, fabrication and installation services, call center, sales and sales support, as well as identifying new markets and conducting research and analysis.

Kruger graduated from Georgetown University Law Center with an LL.M in International Comparative Law and Trade Law. She is a member of the New York State Bar and a qualified attorney in the Republic of South Africa Bar.