Person of the Year

About the Person Of The Year Award

The Person of the Year award is presented annually to the one person who provided extensive support to the association’s executive staff during the year. This award is a tradition that began with the Building Stone Institute and has been continued for our new joined organization. The winner is selected by the Natural Stone Institute's CEO and Executive Vice President.

Current Recipient

Jeff Erickson, Cutting Edge Countertops

The Person of the Year award is presented annually to an individual who has provided extensive support to the association’s executive team during the year. As a dedicated leader and tireless volunteer, Jeff Erickson of Cutting Edge Countertops is recognized as the 2024 Person of the Year.

With over eighteen years of natural stone and countertop experience, all with Cutting Edge Countertops, Jeff’s involvement and dedicated service to the natural stone industry has grown steadily over the past decade. Today he serves on the Natural Stone Institute’s board of directors and executive committee. Jeff is active with the Gary Sinise Foundation’s R.I.S.E. program and is a generous Natural Stone Foundation donor.

CEO Jim Hieb explains why Jeff was this year’s choice. “Jeff has become a ‘go-to person’ for me to discuss industry strategy and gain perspective. I am most impressed with his ability to ask questions beyond his own industry segment so that all members benefit. Jeff is extremely humble and will often describe himself as a simple ‘operations guy.’ That description couldn’t be farther from the truth – he is a gem!”

Beyond his board service, Jeff’s involvement has been impactful, serving as a champion for employee safety and building relationships with other associations, including the Rockheads Group, Stone Fabricator’s Alliance, and ISFA. He is also serving his last year on NSI’s Gary Sinise Foundation R.I.S.E. committee.

Jeff is a constant advocate of member needs. He consistently challenges the association to focus on how NSI helps members keep their employees safe, stay informed, utilize NSI programs to strengthen their businesses and employees, and provide networking opportunities to engage with both stone professionals and architects and designers.

Jeff has previously shared why he is so involved: “I wanted to ‘give back’ and be involved in a community outside our company’s environment/locale. NSI represents the ‘soul of the business’ and you are exposed to stone professionals from other industry segments. NSI exposes you to a whole new world where you meet people you would not have met without NSI. You gain perspective on your own business when you learn about other people’s businesses. That is why I especially love NSI’s fall study tour, and the connections made at that event.”

Jeff’s passion for NSI also comes out when you hear him tell