2022 Board Candidates

Sal Banchitta graduated from Hunter College with a BS in Geology. He has served in the natural stone industry for over 35 years in diverse capacities. Sal’s unique concept of a "one-stop shopping" business model created Stone Boss Industries in 1991. Sal’s international start-up partnerships with Akemi GmbH and Bellizoni SRL successfully branded these products in the USA and was his incentive to create Simple Stone Care, a made-in-the-USA manufacturing company, that today offers a quality product line for the care, restoration, and maintenance of natural stone. Sal established a network of made-in-the-USA raw material suppliers and developed proprietary formulations in collaboration with other cleaning supply manufacturers and Fortune 500 chemical companies. Sal currently serves as a technical consultant for large companies in building management and restoration. His expertise is often sought out by stone workers and executive management alike as an advisor and problem solver.
Company Member Since: 2018
Years Employed in Stone Industry: 35

Denise Daniels started with MB Stone and Supply when they had one other person and a 300 square foot storage area. Since then, she has spearheaded the operations to become one of the most innovative product development companies through the design and manufacturing of their proprietary powders, diamonds, and maintenance products. They have recently completed a new 11,000 square foot training, manufacturing, and distribution center with plans in the works for more space. In addition to operating and leading the company daily, Denise also occasionally teaches Introduction to Stone Restoration and Advanced Countertop classes. Denise has been involved in attending and exhibiting at StonExpo for many years, sponsoring the Women in Stone Leadership Conference, and donating to the NSI’s annual auction to raise funds for the Natural Stone Foundation.
Company Member Since: 2005
Years Employed in Stone Industry: 12

Rawi Tabbah, born in Alexandria Egypt, moved to the United States in 1968 to pursue the American dream. After graduating from the University of Oklahoma with a master’s degree, Rawi established his own stone restoration company in 1982, International Stoneworks, Inc. in Houston, Texas. Not only does it perform commercial and residential stone restoration services, but it also sells safe and efficient products nationally and internationally in order for clients to maintain their stone investments. Rawi is a Natural Stone Foundation donor, has regularly supported the work of the Women in Stone program, sponsored the Use Natural Stone initiative, and has contributed to the writing of past editions of the Restoration and Maintenance section of the Dimension Stone Design Manual.
Company Member Since: 1986
Years Employed in Stone Industry: 40

Miller has over thirty years of international experience in the stone and diamond tool industry. He currently serves as the President of Nicolai North America and Nicolai Diamant Italy. Miller has a diploma in business and administration from ITC Domenico Zaccagna – Carrara, Italy and from the University of Pisa where he studied political science. Having thirty-seven years in the natural stone industry, Miller has been active in the international community by exhibiting at stone conferences around the globe and serving on the Italian Marble and Machines Association.
Company Member Since: 2016
Years Employed in Stone Industry: 37

Irini Papagiannouli is currently part of the third generation of John Papagiannoulis Bros SA and a proud ambassador of natural stone and timeless Greek marble. She has a background in public relations, event management, marketing and communications, and the nonprofit sector and has 10 years of experience in high-impact projects before joining the family business. She is a board member at the Greek Marble Association (GMA) working on strategic partnerships, marketing of natural stone, and being a liaison to the Natural Stone Institute (NSI). Irini is a participant of the Women in Stone program and is passionate about sustainability, digital transformation, design and architecture, international collaborations, and the positive impact companies and sector associations can have on a local and global level.
Company Member Since: 2003
Years Employed in Stone Industry: 4