Coverings Champions

A Coverings Champion is a distinguished industry leader recognized for their extraordinary contributions to the success and growth of the Coverings event. These influential visionaries are dedicated advocates who passionately promote the event and invest significant time, energy, and resources in its advancement. Through their involvement in educational sessions, expert panels, special projects, and outreach efforts, Coverings Champions drive industry innovation while elevating both the Coverings experience and the future of the tile and stone community as a whole.

This year, YOU decide who becomes a 2026 Coverings Champion. While the Coverings Board of Directors selected the 2025 honorees, we’re launching our inaugural People’s Choice Award to give the community a powerful voice in recognizing the 2026 Champions. From February 9–20, 2026, cast your vote once daily for the industry leader who embodies the Champion spirit and helps make Coverings the premier event it is today.

Vote Daily Through February 20!

Join us in Celebrating Excellence at the Rock Stars & Coverings Champions Awards Ceremony

Tuesday, April 29
4:00 – 5:00 PM | Coverings Lounge, Booth 4300
Celebrate both our rising stars and established industry leaders who together represent the present and future of excellence in our industry.
(open to all)

Nominate by December 16

2026 Coverings Champions - PeOPLE'S CHOICE NOMINEES

Scott Conwell,
FAIA, FCSI, CDT, LEED AP

Director of Market Development

International Masonry Institute

Chicago, IL

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, NJ

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

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, MI

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.

Vote Daily Through February 20!

A DAZZLING DISPLAY OF INNOVATION & INSPIRATION

March 30 - April 2

THE EPICENTER
OF TILE & STONE

Meet the 2025 Coverings Champions

Steven Clem
FAIA, ASID, IIDA

Principal

TVS

Atlanta, Ga.

Steven Clem, FAIA, ASID, IIDA is a principal with TVS where he has practiced architecture and interior design since 1978. He has the remarkable ability to help people imagine more, deliver bold ideas and masterfully design them to the smallest detail.

Significant to his work’s success, Steve embraces the partnership between the architect, designer, general contractor, and the true craftsmen that reside with the subcontractors, routinely promoting the best talent collaboration amongst these groups. His interest and design engagement with the international ceramic tile industry has generated many exciting opportunities and innovations in the some of his most outstanding projects. Steve has completely embraced the use of gauged porcelain panels in his projects, and has been an outspoken advocate for the technology. He shares his valuable insights on the technology in the design industry and at Coverings as well.

Tony Malisani

President

Malisani Inc.

Great Falls, Mont.

As the third-generation owner of Malisani Inc., Tony continues the legacy of his family’s specialized ceramic tile, terrazzo, and stone contracting firm established in 1928. With over 30 years of comprehensive industry experience—spanning roles as mechanic, foreman, project manager, and owner—Tony brings unparalleled expertise to the ceramic tile, natural stone, and terrazzo sectors.

A distinguished member of the National Stone Institute, Tony has become one of Coverings’ most valued and dynamic expert speakers. His presentations stand out because they’re rooted in hands-on experience, making his knowledge both accessible and immediately applicable. Tony consistently demonstrates an unwavering commitment to the stone industry through his active engagement, passionate advocacy, and generous knowledge-sharing.

Conference attendees are naturally drawn to Tony’s authentic approach and practical wisdom. His willingness to share his expertise—whether through formal presentations or one-on-one conversations—has established him as an exceptionally helpful and relatable resource. Tony not only enhances the conference program with his technical knowledge but also actively promotes Coverings throughout the industry, embodying the collaborative spirit that drives innovation in the field.

Woody Sanders

President

DW Sanders Tile & Stone Contracting

Marietta, Ga.

Woody Sanders is the visionary founder and president of DW Sanders Ceramic Tile & Stone Contracting Inc., established in 1994 in Marietta, Georgia. His company has distinguished itself as a premier specialty subcontractor, excelling in residential interior and exterior installations while pioneering innovative pedestal systems across both residential and commercial sectors.

Following unfortunate events inside his company in 2016, Woody reconnected with the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) at Coverings, where he found renewed inspiration and purpose. This pivotal moment catalyzed his deep industry involvement and commitment to advancing tile craftsmanship. He has invested substantial resources, expertise, and countless hours to enhance the Coverings experience through engaging conference sessions and spectacular installations in The Coverings Lounge, Installation Design Showcase, and Outdoor Oasis over several years. His investment in industry advancement extends to his own team—Woody brings his staff to Coverings, recognizing the educational value and ensuring the next generation of craftspeople benefits from industry engagement.

Currently, Woody is NTCA 1st vice president, sits on CTEF board of directors. He is on the technical front and is involved with NTCA Technical committee, Method and standards Committee, ANSI and TCNA. He is Certified Tile Installer #1295 and ACT #22.

Harold Yarborough

Former Chairman

D&B Tile Distributors

Sunrise, Fla.

Born and raised in South Florida, Harold Yarborough’s journey in the tile industry began early as he grew up immersed in his family’s business. He quickly recognized that expanding his knowledge would be fundamental to long-term success in the competitive tile market.

Harold distinguished himself through his strategic vision for industry events like Coverings. While many distributors focus solely on product acquisition, Harold recognized the broader opportunity: strengthening customer relationships by encouraging contractors, builders, and designers to attend the show. Harold viewed Coverings as an invaluable platform for deepening professional connections and elevating industry standards. This pioneering approach ultimately evolved into what is now the Coverings VIP Distributor Program.

Throughout his career, Harold has demonstrated remarkable commitment to industry advancement through his extensive association involvement including with ABC, CTEF, CTDA and NTCA. After serving as Chairman of D&B Tile Distributors until his retirement in 2021, Harold remains passionately dedicated to advancing both the tile industry and broader construction community. His enduring commitment continues to shape standards of excellence and innovation throughout the field.