Coverings Names '25 Rock Star Award Winners & Champions

Orlando, FL, April 11, 2025-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 to May 2.

The Coverings Rock Stars, an Emerging Leaders Program, is a show tradition dedicated to celebrating the best and brightest young talent in the tile and stone industry. The program, which celebrated ten 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, CA

Contractor/Installer

* Alex Nez, tile installer, Columbia River Tile & Stone, Portland, OR

* Daniel Adams, lead installer, Guy's Tile and Flooring, Akron, OH

* Jennifer Barker, CEO and installer, Bathmatic Custom Tile and Shower, Gastonia, NC

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, CT

* Marilyn Black, boutique vendor and merchandising manager, Louisville Tile Distributors, Louisville, KY

Manufacturer

* Giovanni Gradellini, Midwest area manager, Caesar Ceramics USA, Chicago, IL

Other – Marketing

* Anthony Milia, owner, Milia Marketing, Cleveland, OH

Retailer

* Rachel Feibelman, director of operations, Tile Envy (A Kitchen Envy Company), Jacksonville, FL

Stone Fabricator

* Ben Mestek, managing partner, Pacific Stone Creations, Menifee, CA

* Joseph Ontra, production manager and vice president, Ontra Stone, Fairfileld, CT

* Travis McDermott, president, McDermott Top Shop, Jefferson, WI

Trade Association

* Roxanne Morris, marketing and PR manager, Tile Council of North America, Detroit, MI

Coverings 2025 also marks the introduction of the Coverings Champions, a new show accolade recognizing industry leaders for their 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 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, April 29, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. EDT. Showgoers are invited to participate in the festivities by attending the ceremony.

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