Catania Wins 2011 MIA Craftsman Of The Year
CLEVELAND — Danny Catania of Miller Druck Specialty Contracting Co. in New York is the 2011 recipient of the Marble Institute of America (MIA) Natural Stone Craftsman of the Year Award.
The annual honor, sponsored by industry supplier Campolonghi Italia , spotlights an individual with many years of outstanding stone fabrication and/or installation, rising through the ranks from journeyman, as well as a solid track record of leadership and mentorship.
Danny Catania (click image to enlarge)A six-member panel of stone-industry veterans selected Catania from a pool of moninees. The award, a beautifully crafted and unique plaque, was presented to Catania at the annual MIA Awards Luncheon held during StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas 2012.
Catania began his career shortly after graduating from college in 1978; his uncle who happened to be in the stone business, asked him if he wanted a job. He began as a helper, then an apprentice setter; his capability and diversity of skills soon advanced him to full mechanic and eventually to the top tradesperson.
“Danny has worked worldwide and is creative in solving every installation detail,” said Barbara Cohen, Miller Druck president. “He is always able to adapt to the local requirements and availability of tools and equipment. He thinks ahead to solve fabrication and installation details for a long term solution.
“He uses his vast experience to rig equipment safely, and gently handles marble and stone, and always finds the most economical, practical and appropriate detail to insure the integrity of the architect’s design.”
For example, when Miller Druck was awarded the Canary Wharf Project in London, it was intended that local labor would be used. However, as the job began, it became apparent that the skill for the type of quality and precision demanded was not available in the local marketplace.
Catania traveled on a moment’s notice to London, where he became the master mechanic and was known as the “stone king” for the entire Canary Wharf Commercial Center. He immediately developed a rapport with all the existing contractors, taught all their workers how to properly set stone, guided them on how to read the drawings, and ended up building a team of 200 workers to complete the entire project.
Catania stayed in London for more than five years and was cherished by the guys he taught and led. Those workers, now stone tradespeople, acquired a trade for life because of Catania.
As he traveled to many different locales, Catania always sought out the personal talent in each of the workers whether it be as expert mechanic, a helper, the forklift driver or the person to mix the sand and cement. He treated each and every one equally with respect, recognizing and appreciating the contribution that each person made to the team.
“Danny has this amazing ability to get along with everybody and to make them feel part of his team, no matter where they come from because he has the basic respect of talent,” Cohen said. “Besides his accomplishments, Danny is hardworking, sincere, dedicated, honest, straightforward, witty, clever and a kind human being.”
When he is not working on natural-stone projects around the world, Catania enjoys playing his guitar, which he inherited from his grandfather.
Applications for the 2012 Craftsman of the Year Award will be available here in May. The deadline for entries will be Aug. 6.
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