Scott Lardner of Rocky Mountain Stone Receives 2024 Migliore Award for Lifetime Achievement
Contact:
Natural Stone Institute
(440) 250-9222
networking@naturalstoneinstitute.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oberlin, OH, February 28, 2025 — Scott Lardner (Rocky Mountain Stone) has received the 2024 Migliore Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Scott Lardner’s father Vince started Rocky Mountain Stone in 1963 as a supplier of building and landscaping stone. It has since expanded into every aspect of the natural stone industry. Vince Lardner was a staunch supporter of the Building Stone Institute, attending many BSI conventions and events, which is where Scott and his siblings first learned the value of a trade association. Scott would later become heavily involved in the Marble Institute of America, while brothers Jim and Tim would become active in the BSI and Allied Stone Industries groups. Scott followed his father into the family business and expanded operations throughout the Southwest.
Rocky Mountain Stone has been recognized as a leading source for natural stone in New Mexico for over 60 years. Broadening their reach, New Mexico Travertine began its quarrying operations in 1985 and then expanded into sandstone and flagstone quarries in Milagro, New Mexico and several limestone quarries in Texas and Kansas. In 1990 Scott assumed the presidency of Rocky Mountain Stone, a position he maintains today. He also has partial ownership in New Mexico Travertine and often collaborates with brother Jim on business operations for both companies.
Scott’s involvement as a businessman is not limited to Rocky Mountain Stone, but extends to local, state, and regional impacts through organizations like Rotary International, Albuquerque Catholic Foundation, New Mexico Amigos promoting New Mexico businesses around the United States, and Counters for a Cause, which donates a percentage of sales to local charities that benefits children, veterans, and the homeless. Scott was also one of the original members and a past board director of the Artisan Group, a pre-eminent buying group sharing best practices and representing the largest markets in the US.
Through his natural stone industry service, Scott has amassed an impressive resume with NSI. He served on the board of directors from 2002-2006 and was board president in 2005. In this time Scott would oversee the hiring of past MIA CEO Gary Distelhorst, guide the sale of StonExpo to Hanley Wood, provide the framework for what are today known as Stone Summits, and strongly advocate for the creation of safety training videos and guidebooks that have been widely expanded upon over the past 20 years.
But perhaps Scott’s most pivotal contribution during his leadership tenure was the conception, development, and implementation of the Accreditation Program. This well-established NSI initiative is the cornerstone of an effort to recognize and distinguish those companies involved in the natural stone industry that have met the highest standards of performance and excellence in fabrication and installation. Today many project specifications require use of an NSI accredited company – a vision Scott laid out.
Like many diligent NSI leaders, Scott remained active after his board service, providing guidance for the radon crisis, serving as a panelist at Stone Summits and trade show sessions, and continues to assist NSI with the creation of many of its annual awards. In 2024, Scott’s support of safety training is as evident as it was 20 years ago as he pledged to serve as a resource to the Spanish translation of the Silica & Slab Safety training certificate.
Family and friendships run deep for Scott. Growing up in the family business, it isn’t surprising that Scott’s son Sean has joined Rocky Mountain Stone as General Manager. Industry colleagues remain cherished close friends with frequent hunting and fishing adventures and even teaming up for displays of support at industry gatherings. Scott’s 40 years of service to the natural stone industry have helped guide NSI into the organization it is today. He frequently shares two valuable lessons of leadership for others to consider. “If you aren’t the lead dog, the view never changes” and “there has never been a wrong time to do the right thing.”
Nominations for the 2025 Migliore Award for Lifetime Achievement are being accepted until May 20. To learn more, visit www.naturalstoneinstitute.org/migliore.
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About the Natural Stone Institute
The Natural Stone Institute is a trade association representing every aspect of the natural stone industry. The current membership exceeds 2,000 members in over 50 nations. The association offers a wide array of technical and training resources, professional development opportunities, regulatory advocacy, and networking events. Two prominent publications—the Dimension Stone Design Manual and Building Stone Magazine—raise awareness within the natural stone industry and in the design community for best practices and uses of natural stone. Learn more at www.naturalstoneinstitute.org.
