MIA Elects New Board Members
OBERLIN, Ohio – The Marble Institute of America (MIA) elected three stone-industry leaders to its Board of Directors.
• Buddy Ontra, owner of Ontra Stone Concepts, a Bridgeport, Conn., family-owned fabrication/installation company, will represent Zone 1 (Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont). Ontra currently serves on the steering committee for MIA’s NY Metro Chapter and has been a frequent speaker at StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas and Coverings. He has also contributed articles to Stone World magazine and is active in his local chapter of the National Home Builders Association.
Ontra replaces David Castellucci of Kenneth Castellucci & Associates, who will remain on the board as 2016 board president.
• Bruce Knaphus, president of KEPCO+ Inc. (Knaphus Exterior Panel Company), an installation company based in Salt Lake City, will represent Zone 6 (Rocky Mountain: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming). KEPCO+ has been the recipient of several MIA Pinnacle Awards, as well as awards for advertising and office design.
Knaphus replaces Tony Malisani of Malisani Inc., MIA’s 2014 board president.
• Mike Picco, president of stone consulting company PICCO Engineering in Toronto, will represent Zone 8 (Canada). Picco is co-chair of MIA’s Toronto chapter and is a regular speaker at Marmomacc, Coverings, and other industry events. His contributions also include regular updates of MIA’s Dimension Stone Design Manual and sponsorship at the MIA Awards Luncheon since 2011.
Picco replaces Patrick Perus of Polycor, who served as a board member for five years.
“MIA appreciates the work done by both Tony and Patrick during their time on the MIA Board of Directors,” said 2015 MIA President Dan Rea “With their help, we have made great strides as an association.
“We welcome the three new board members and look forward to what the future will bring.”
The three new members were elected by the MIA membership in mid-November to the 13-person Board of Directors.
For more information about the MIA Board of Directors, visit www.marble-institute.com/about/board-of-directors.
