Coverings Celebrates 2026 Rock Stars and Champions Ahead of Las Vegas Show!
As excitement builds for Coverings 2026, North America’s leading tile and stone event is recognizing the people driving the industry forward. This year, 22 professionals have been honored through the Coverings Rock Stars and Coverings Champions programs, spotlighting both emerging leaders and influential advocates.
Coverings 2026 Rock Stars
The Coverings Rock Stars program celebrates 18 rising stars who are making meaningful contributions across the industry. Selected by a panel of experts, this year’s honorees represent a wide range of sectors and specialties.
Catherine Atkins, Architectural Sales
Thorntree Fine Porcelain & Natural Stone
Dallas, Texas, United States
Michael Ray, Owner
Ray’s Renovation
Ramer, Tenn., United States
Hector Ruiz, CEO
HR Tile
Glenwood Springs, Colo., United States
Joppe Aguirre, Owner/Installer
Cascadia Tile Company LLC
Bend, Ore., United States
JP Baggett, Business Development
Elite Tile Setters
South Jordan, Utah, United States
Mauricio Rapalo, Owner
Prominent Tile LLC
Houston, Texas, United States
Neil Levens, Installer/Owner
Levens Renovations LLC
Corpus Christi, Texas, United States
Nicko Dimaandal, Owner & Creative Director
Tsunami Homes
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Angie Gonzalez, Principal Designer/Owner
Nico Tati Designs
Rockwall, Texas, United States
Jennifer Hutton, Principal Designer/Creative
Director, Grau Design Studio
Durham, N.C., United States
Liany Arvelo, Designer II
C4 Architecture
Orlando, Fla., United States
Vidya Walia, CEO
Arista International, Inc.
Tempe, Ariz., United States
Leonardo Guardia, Technical Director and Partner
Cortag Tools USA Corporation
Hiram, Ga., United States
Sara White, Associate Account Director
Novità Communications
New York, N.Y., United States
Vanessa Leite, Marketing Manager
PBA Stones
Vitoria, Espirito Santo, Brazil
Anna McCortney, Operations Manager
Ultimate Flooring
Akron, Ohio, United States
Jessica Jackson, Builder Sales & Design
L & L Flooring and Design
Nashville, Tenn., United States
Noah Marques, Manager
Marques Countertops
Slidell, La., United States
Coverings 2026 Champions
In addition to emerging talent, Coverings continues to honor industry champions—leaders who actively support and advocate for the show and its community. The 2026 Coverings Champions People’s Choice nominees included Scott Conwell, Jennifer Richinelli, Betty Sullivan, and Dan Welch.
Scott Conwell
FAIA, FCSI, CDT, LEED AP,
Director of Market Development
International Masonry Institute
Chicago, Ill., United States
Scott Conwell, FAIA, FCSI, CDT, LEED AP is a licensed architect who has championed tile and stone excellence for over three decades. A Coverings Ambassador since the program’s inception and 22-time attendee, he has presented at 14 Coverings conferences on topics from large-format tile to sustainable design. Scott serves on numerous industry committees including TCNA, NTCA, and NSI, and was a founding advisor for the ACT program. In 2021, he received the Carl V. Cesery Award for Service to the Ceramic Tile Industry. With over 1,400 seminars delivered worldwide and 30,000+ LinkedIn followers, Scott is a tireless educator and influencer advancing best practices in tile and stone.
Jennifer Richinelli
Editorial Director
Stone World
Verona, N.J., United States
Jennifer Richinelli has covered the stone and tile industries since 1996. A nearly 30-year Coverings attendee, she has reported extensively on innovations, exhibitors, and industry trends while building deep relationships across the tile, stone, and fabrication community. Jennifer has served on the Coverings Installation & Design (CID) Awards judging panel for over 15 years, bringing valuable stone expertise to the evaluation process. She has also actively identified and nominated emerging talent for the Coverings Rock Stars program. Through articles, video interviews, and podcasts, Jennifer has documented countless quarries, fabrication shops, and industry developments, consistently elevating the voices and stories that shape our industry.
Betty Sullivan
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Architectural Ceramics, Inc. DBA Architessa
Rockville, Md., United States
Betty Sullivan purchased Architessa in 2019 after joining in 1992 and rising through accounting, VP, President, and CEO roles. From a big Greek family with career stops as a hairdresser, patent licensing professional, and accountant, Betty brought diverse experience to growing Architessa from a tile shop to a national presence. A passionate Coverings supporter, she calls the show “like going to camp” and has participated through exhibiting, nominating young leaders for the Coverings Rock Stars program, education, and bringing staff and clients. Betty actively promotes Coverings as essential for industry education and networking, working closely with show organizers to strengthen community connections and advance the tile and stone industry.
Dan Welch
President
Welch Tile
Kent City, Mich., United States
Dan Welch is the owner and president of Welch Tile, an NTCA Five-Star Accredited Contractor, and a respected leader in the tile and stone industry with decades of hands-on experience. He was instrumental in developing NTCA’s apprenticeship program and has served on committees shaping training and technical standards across the trade. A Coverings attendee since the early 2000s, Dan played a foundational role in the Installation Design Showcase, participating in the first live installation in 2010 and returning for projects like the Clubhouse Bar & Lounge at Coverings 2016 and West Michigan Tiled Tiny House at Coverings 2017. He has also contributed as a speaker and panelist on contractor collaboration and installation best practices. NTCA President from 2013-2014, Dan received Tile Person of the Year in 2012 and the Ring of Honor in 2017.
Don’t Miss the Rock Stars & Champions Award Ceremony at Coverings 2026
All honorees will be celebrated during the Rock Stars and Champions Ceremony on March 30 from 4–5 p.m. in The Coverings Lounge (Booth 6014) at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Attendees are invited to join in recognizing these standout professionals and connect with some of the industry’s most impactful voices.
With more than 35 years of history, Coverings continues to unite the global tile and stone community—showcasing innovation, fostering education and celebrating the people who make it all possible.