Quarry Craftsman Honored for Commitment to the Industry
OBERLIN, OH -- The Natural Stone Institute (NSI) recognized Richard “Rick” Atkinson of Stony Creek Quarry in Branford, CT, as the recipient of the 2025 Thor Lundh Quarrier Award. The honor was presented during the NSI Study Tour in Georgia, recognizing Atkinson’s outstanding leadership and lifelong commitment to advancing the natural stone quarrying industry.
A fourth-generation Stony Creek Quarry worker, Atkinson inherited the helm from his uncle, John “The General” Barnes, and over the past 45 years has carried forward a legacy of craftsmanship, safety and mentorship. Under his leadership, Stony Creek granite has been used in landmark projects, including the Statue of Liberty Museum, Columbia University and Chifley Towers in Sydney, Australia.
Described by peers as both a protector and a pioneer, Atkinson has consistently placed safety and sustainability at the forefront of operations. In 2005, Stony Creek Quarry earned an MSHA Certificate of Safety, and in 2018 became the third quarry worldwide to achieve Gold certification for NSI 373 Sustainability of Natural Dimensional Stone.
“Rick represents everything the Thor Lundh Quarrier Award stands for: dedication, innovation and respect for the craft,” said Dacia Belisle Woodworth, NSI staff lead for the North American Quarry Advocacy Group. “His impact extends far beyond Connecticut, inspiring quarry professionals around the world.”
“Rick’s commitment to quality and sustainability echoes the same principles that guided Thor Lundh throughout his career,” said Frank Nordby, CEO Lundhs AS “It’s an honor to see the spirit of global collaboration that Thor championed continue through leaders like Rick.”
The Thor Lundh Quarrier Award, established in 2024 and named in honor of Thor Lundh, founder of Lundhs AS in Norway, celebrates visionaries who modernize quarrying practices, take courageous risks and elevate the global natural stone industry.
The NSI congratulates Atkinson on this well-deserved recognition and thanks him for his enduring contributions to natural stone quarrying.
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