Natural Stone Foundation Sets 2024 Board
OBERLIN, Ohio – When the industry gathers in Las Vegas for StonExpo this month, the Natural Stone Foundation board will officially reorganize for the coming year.
The board of directors for 2024 includes: Kevin Camarata, president; Brie Pfannenbecker, president-elect; Tony Malisani, immediate past president; and board members Ralph Morgan, Greg Osterhout, Rick Stimac, Holly Roher, Jonathan Zanger and Buddy Ontra. Katie Jensen is the Natural Stone Institute (NSI) board president liaison.
Ontra, former NSI board president, is the newest member of the board.
“We’re excited to have Buddy Ontra join the board,” Malisani said, “and be part of a winning organization that is helping to make our industry rock solid.”
Rich Katzmann, of the Rockheads Group USA, will officially end his term at that meeting. Katzmann served as foundation president in 2022 and has been on the board of directors since it was founded in 2017.
Natural Stone Foundation Executive Director Jim Hieb praised Katzmann for his service and leadership.
“During Katzmann’s tenure on the board,” Hieb said, “the foundation funded initiatives that have increased natural stone’s market share, supported globally unified standards, combatted confusion between natural and manmade materials, educated and inspired architects and designers, cultivated future stone industry leaders and advocated for programs that help keep employees safe.”
The Natural Stone Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Natural Stone Institute. Its mission is to serve the natural stone industry by financially supporting initiatives and services important to industry stakeholders.
In 2024, the foundation board will continue its mission to raise funds to address future industry needs. Individuals and businesses are encouraged to make contributions to the foundation’s annual fund or to honor an industry colleague or friend by making a tribute gift in their name. The board is also planning to seek key stakeholders to support the launch of an endowment fund to further guarantee funding for years to come.
Funding received from the foundation also allows the Natural Stone Institute to produce educational programming, scholarships, and advocacy for the use of natural stone. Learn more at www.naturalstoneinstitute.org/foundation.
