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Stone & Tile Industry NewsStone & Tile Events

Coverings Honors 18 Emerging Young Industry Leaders

Coverings Rock Star awards logo
Logo courtesy of Coverings
March 23, 2026

LAS VEGAS, NV – A total of 18 emerging young leaders will be recognized at Coverings 2026 during the Rock Star Award presentation on Monday, March 30th at 4 p.m. in the Coverings Lounge. The four-day international tile and stone exhibition will take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV, from March 30th to April 2nd.

The Coverings Rock Stars emphasizes Coverings’ mission to support the success and growth of the tile and stone industry by celebrating the best and brightest young leaders. The 18 Coverings Rock Star inductees were selected following an extensive candidate review by a panel of tile and stone industry leaders. The winners hail from numerous industry segments and comprise top-notch talent known for fostering networking and educational opportunities.
 

Builder/Remodeler:

Catherine Atkins, Architectural Sales
Thorntree Fine Porcelain & Natural Stone
Dallas, TX

Michael Ray, Owner
Ray’s Renovation
Ramer, TN


Contractor/Installer:

Hector Ruiz, CEO
HR Tile
Glenwood Springs, CO

Joppe Aguirre, Owner/Installer
Cascadia Tile Company LLC
Bend, OR

JP Baggett, Business Development
Elite Tile Setters
South Jordan, UT

Mauricio Rapalo, Owner
Prominent Tile LLC
Houston, TX

Neil Levens, Installer/Owner
Levens Renovations LLC
Corpus Christi, TX

Nicko Dimaandal, Owner & Creative Director
Tsunami Homes
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada


Designer:

Angie Gonzalez, Principal Designer/Owner
Nico Tati Designs
Rockwall, TX

Jennifer Hutton, Principal Designer/Creative Director
Grau Design Studio
Durham, NC

Liany Arvelo, Designer II
C4 Architecture
Orlando, FL

 


Distributor

Vidya Walia, CEO
Arista International, Inc.
Tempe, AZ

 


Manufacturer

Leonardo Guardia, Technical Director and Partner
Cortag Tools USA Corporation
Hiram, GA

 


Other – Marketing:

Sara White, Associate Account Director
Novità Communications
New York, NY

Vanessa Leite, Marketing Manager
PBA Stones
Vitoria, Espirito Santo, Brazil


Retailer:

Anna McCortney, Operations Manager
Ultimate Flooring
Akron, OH

Jessica Jackson, Builder Sales & Design
L & L Flooring and Design
Nashville, TN


Stone Fabricator

Noah Marques, Manager
Marques Countertops
Slidell, La., United States

 

KEYWORDS: Coverings Industry awards

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