Hieb Now a “Stone Master”

VERONA, Italy – Jim Hieb, Natural Stone Institute CEO, one of the latest recipients of the Master of Stone title awarded annually at Marmomac.

The proclamation of the Masters of Stone dates back to the Ancient Free Guild of the Art of Stone, established in Verona in 1319 to bring together stonemasons, quarrymen, artists and masters of stoneworking.

Re-established in 1980 by a group of marble industry professionals and entrepreneurs, the Guild recognizes individuals who, through their work, have brought prestige to the stone industry.

Hieb has been active in the U.S. and international association system for more than 20 years. Under his leadership the institute strengthened its activities focused on training, safety, professional standards and the promotion of natural stone, consolidating collaboration among industry professionals from various countries.

“At the heart of everything we see in the Marmomac pavilions – from processed materials to technologies and design works – are, first and foremost, people,” says Federico Bricolo, president of Veronafiere. “The five new Masters represent diverse experiences united by their ability to put their knowledge ad professionalism at the service of the entire supply chain.”

During the investiture ceremony, each new Master struck the ancient Lessinia bas-relief with a mallet and chisel, then received a cube of Rosso Verona marble bearing the insignia of Cangrande della Scala, the badge, the Guild’s plaque bearing a silver stonemason and the diploma.

The other new Masters of Stone 2026 are:

• Flavio Marabelli, honorary president of Confindustria Marmomacchine;

• Joe Panzera, who helms CIOT and contributed to the spread of natural stone in Canada and North America;

• Grazia Signori, a Euro-geologist and natural stone expert who now works at Mapei, and;

• Domenico Tommasi, a quarryman since 1963 and now salvages stone elements from the demolition of historic buildings.