OBERLIN, OH -- The Marble Institute of America (MIA) has hired Carol Wilkins to fill the role of Accreditation & Special Projects Manager. Wilkins spent eight years in the stone industry serving as Senior Conference Manager for Hanley Wood (now Informa Exhibitions) from 2004 to 2011. During that time she championed the education program for StonExpo, Surfaces, and Construct. Wilkins recently earned her Masters of Arts in International Relations from Webster University Leiden in Holland. She also holds a Bachelors of Arts in Marketing from Georgia State University. In addition to leading the MIA Accreditation Program, Wilkins will assist with the MIA's Women in Stone initiative and lead the MIA's planned launch of an online university which will offer classes for both the stone trade and the design community.

"We are pleased to have Carol join the MIA staff," said Jim Hieb, Executive Vice-President of MIA. "Her familiarity with the stone industry is an asset as we prepare to surpass 100 accredited companies, as well as offer more professional development opportunities to women in the industry. She is also a natural lead for the soon to be announced online university which will complement the vast array of face-to-face learning opportunities offered by the MIA at regional, chapter, and trade show venues."