Coverings has announced 20 honorees across returning and new awards programs, including this year’s Rock Star Award recipients and the inaugural class of Coverings Champions, ahead of the show’s return to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, April 29–May 2, 2025.
The Coverings Rock Stars, an Emerging Leaders Program, is a time-honored show tradition dedicated to celebrating the best and brightest young talent in the tile and stone industry. The esteemed program, which celebrated 10 years at Coverings 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia, underscores Coverings’ core mission to support the growth and success of the industry by recognizing top-notch talent and fostering networking and educational opportunities.
A committee of longstanding tile and stone industry leaders thoughtfully evaluated nominations to select this year’s 16 inductees for Coverings Rock Star status. The 2025 Rock Stars represent numerous industry segments and include the following winners:
Builder/Remodeler:
Sal Azzolino, Owner and Operator
Argo Tile and Stone
San Francisco, Calif.
Contractor/Installer:
Alex Nez, Tile Installer
Columbia River Tile & Stone Inc.
Portland, Ore.
Daniel Adams, Lead Installer
Guy’s Tile and Flooring, LLC
Akron, Ohio
Jennifer Barker, CEO and Installer
Bathmatic Custom Tile and Shower
Gastonia, N.C.
Designer:
Danielle Dean, Senior Interior Designer
Manning, APC
Atlanta, Ga.
Pelar Fullilove, Interior Designer
37th Burleigh Interior Design
Atlanta, Ga.
Distributor:
Dan Rodgers, Technical Sales Manager
Centura Tile – Hamilton
Hamilton, Ontario
Jodi Fowler, Branch Manager
Best Tile
Woodstock, Conn.
Marilyn Black, Boutique Vendor and Merchandising Manager
Louisville Tile Distributors
Louisville, Ky.
Manufacturer:
Giovanni Gradellini, Midwest Area Manager
Caesar Ceramics USA
Chicago, Ill.
Other – Marketing:
Anthony Milia, Owner
Milia Marketing
Cleveland, Ohio
Retailer:
Rachel Feibelman, Director of Operations
Tile Envy (A Kitchen Envy Company)
Jacksonville, Fla.
Stone Fabricator:
Ben Mestek, Managing Partner
Pacific Stone Creations
Menifee, Calif.
Joseph Ontra, Production Manager and Vice President
Ontra Stone
Fairfileld, Conn.
Travis McDermott, President
McDermott Top Shop, LLC
Jefferson, Wis.
Trade Association:
Roxanne Morris, Marketing and PR Manager
Tile Council of North America
Detroit, Mich.
Coverings 2025 also marks the introduction of the Coverings Champions, a new yet highly revered show accolade recognizing distinguished industry leaders for their extraordinary contributions — and the many hours they have generously volunteered — to the expansion and continued achievement of the event.
The debut class of Coverings 2025 Champions played a pivotal role in shaping the event through their active involvement in educational sessions, expert panels, special projects, and outreach efforts, catalyzing industry innovation and significantly enhancing both the show experience and the positive trajectory of the tile and stone industry.
Four eminent visionaries have been named Coverings 2025 Champions by the show’s Board of Directors, in recognition of their consistent advocacy and considerable contributions to Coverings, including the following:
Steven Clem, FAIA, ASID, IIDA, Principal TVS, Atlanta, GA; Tony Malisani, President Malisani Inc. Great Falls, MT; Woody Sanders, President DW Sanders Tile & Stone Contracting Marietta, GA; Harold Yarborough, Former Chairman D&B Tile Distributors Sunrise, FL.
The Coverings 2025 Champions will be recognized alongside this year’s Rock Stars at Coverings 2025 during the Rock Stars & Coverings Champions Awards Ceremony, happening in The Coverings Lounge, Booth 4300, Tuesday, April 29, 4-5 p.m. EDT. Showgoers are invited to participate in the festivities by attending the ceremony.
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