From the ancient Egyptians to modern society humans have a rich history of creating important culture-defining buildings out of natural stone.  From the pyramids to the Pentagon, natural stone has been the defining feature of humanity’s most important buildings.

As a history major and the president of a fifth-generation family business, I have a deep appreciation for those who came before us.  We as a society and as an industry stand on their shoulders.

I believe it’s possible to both appreciate our history and also build toward a better tomorrow.  And that’s what I’m striving to do for the building stone industry.  We as an industry have reached a turning point - the world is changing, and we can’t be satisfied with the status quo or we’ll get left behind.  We’re facing new challenges and new threats and need to evolve to meet them.

The stone industry needs new tools - both physical and digital - to stay competitive and relevant in this new era and to appeal to a new generation who will build their own enduring monuments and buildings out of natural stone.

I’m here to provide the tools and knowledge the industry needs in order to evolve and write its next chapter.

I love this industry and the people and products that power it.  People have an emotional connection to stone - whether they realize it or not.  Many of us memorialize our loved ones with a stone monument - something timeless and natural.  Our stone countertops and home exteriors offer a sense of luxury, security, and permanence.  Our state capitols, churches, federal government buildings, universities, and hospitals use stone which signifies that these institutions are dependable and enduring.  As Winston Churchill said, “We shape our buildings, and afterwards our buildings shape us.”

So as we enter a new era, let’s use the best tools at our disposal in order to continue to boldly shape our future - out of stone.

Let’s build together,

Alex