Natural Stone Institute Staff
James A. Hieb, CAE, CEO
Jim leads the staff and assists the board of directors with the strategic direction and execution of the association’s mission. In his free time, Jim enjoys participating in his church and civic organizations. He is a graduate of the University of South Dakota and Bowling Green State University. Note: CAE = Certified Association Executive.
Jane Bennett, Executive Vice President
Jane previously served as Executive Vice President of the Building Stone Institute and brings diverse experience from quarrying, tourism, manufacturing, marketing, and promotional employment. Her role with the Natural Stone Institute continues to be heavy in event planning, awards program management, and publishing Building Stone Magazine.
Chuck Muehlbauer, Technical Director
Charles J. “Chuck” Muehlbauer serves as NSI’s Technical Director. Currently in his fifth decade in the stone industry, he has experience in multiple sectors of the industry. Muehlbauer is a voting member and current or past officer of numerous national and international technical committees.
Jeff Pavic, Business Development Director
Jeff serves as primary sales lead and works with the CEO on business planning and strategic initiatives. Jeff has held sales, business development, marketing, and operations leadership roles across multiple industries. He has an MBA from Bowling Green State University and currently serves on the Boys & Girls Club of Lorain County Advisory Board. Jeff and his wife Beth live in Rocky River, OH. They have two sons, one daughter, and six grandchildren.
Aaron Dahnke, CAE, Education Director
Aaron manages the association’s educational programming, including regional seminars, webinars, and the Natural Stone University. He previously served in similar capacities at The Center for Nonprofit Advancement and The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars.
Aaron received his MA from Ohio University. He currently serves on the ASAE Foresight Works Advisory Group.
Sarah B. Gregg, Marketing Director
Sarah has 20+ years of stone industry experience including in-house sales & marketing, and freelance consulting for several stone fabricators, distributors, and associations. Along with overseeing marketing strategy, she also leads the sustainability and Women in Stone initiatives.
Nick Dorsey, Foundation Director of Fundraising & Development
Nick is a nonprofit leader with over seven years of experience in fundraising and donor engagement. He has a proven ability to develop impactful fundraising campaigns and secure transformational gifts. With expertise in strategic planning and relationship building, Nick excels at enhancing donor retention and fostering strong connections.
Mark Meriaux, Accreditation & Technical Manager
Mark holds a Mechanical Engineering Technology degree from Kennesaw State University. He entered the natural stone industry in 2002 as an owner/operator of a countertop fabrication company in Atlanta, GA. Mark manages the Accreditation and safety programs, assists members who have technical inquiries, participates in Stone Industry Education program. Mark enjoys outdoor activities and music concerts with his wife and their two children.
Scott Scallorn, MSAG, Testing Lab Manager
Scott holds an MS in Applied Geosciences – Engineering Geology from the University of Pennsylvania. He serves on multiple ASTM committees and is chair of ISO TC 327 TAG. With 16+ years of accredited laboratory experience, he has developed and conducted materials properties testing and durability evaluations for interior and exterior applications and associated installation systems. Scott enjoys spending time with his family and pursuing many hobbies and projects.
Pam Hammond, Executive Assistant to CEO I Natural Stone Foundation Program Manager
Pam has an extensive background in nonprofit management. She oversees international barter agreements and meeting and event management for the CEO and is the program manager for the Natural Stone Foundation. She also manages the association’s involvement with the Gary Sinise Foundation’s R.I.S.E. program. Pam and her husband reside in Oberlin, OH and have two sons and a daughter.
Kelly Gunther Membership Sales Manager
Kelly is a Lorain, Ohio native who has also spent time in Michigan, Utah, and Texas. After a successful career as an Olympic skater, Kelly worked as a paraprofessional in an elementary school and as a School Specialist and member of the development team with Special Olympics Texas. She looks forward to starting her journey with NSI and meeting as many members as possible. In her free time, Kelly enjoys volunteering with her church and spending time with her black lab, Sochi.
Eli Chambers, Program Coordinator, Education and Membership
Eli provides administrative support for both the Education and Membership departments. He works closely with members to run reports, update records, and assess the use of education resources. A recent graduate from Bowling Green State University, Eli holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing. With skills in communication, customer service, and adaptability, Eli works diligently to build strong relationships with members. In his free time, Eli enjoys spending time with friends and family, shopping, and traveling.
Dacia Belisle Woodworth, Architect & Design Community Liaison
Dacia has a B.A. in Journalism/Public Relations from UT Austin. She is a former board member who served as an active volunteer with many NSI programs. Dacia manages outreach to design communities and is the staff lead for the NAQAG. She is an avid trail rider and equestrian camper.
Claudia Jaskulski, Accounting Manager
Claudia manages all internal accounting functions, including financial reporting and cash flow management. She also oversees benefits, payroll, and other human resource functions. Claudia has over 25 years of accounting experience in the service, manufacturing, and retail industries. She graduated with her A.A. in Accounting from Cuyahoga Community College. Claudia currently lives in Wakeman, Ohio and has two children and five amazing grandchildren.
Susan Myers, Creative Manager
Susan is responsible for designing much of the Natural Stone Institute’s printed collateral, including The Cutting Edge newsletter, Building Stone Magazine, and trade show booths. A graduate of The Ohio State University, Susan earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design, and cheers for her Buckeyes every game day.
David Falcón, Digital Design Coordinator
David graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2018 with a B.A. in Visual Communications. Skilled in creating exciting content for our members, he is a passionate artist and designer with interests in art, film, and music. David is committed to expressing his creativity and making a lasting impact through various artistic endeavors.
Carmen Taran, Lab Engineer
Carmen is a versatile contributor in the construction-built environment with a diverse skillset spanning civil engineering, architectural design, construction project manager, and natural stone testing engineering. Carmen ensures that every project meets the highest standards of safety and quality and prepares detailed and accurate technical reports for complex construction material testing services. In her free time, she enjoys cooking for her family and is an avid book reader.
Matt Jaffe, IT Manager
Matt serves as NSI’s IT Manager with a strong focus on systems analysis, aligning the organization’s business processes with our computer systems capabilities, and introducing automation wherever possible to reduce errors and increase efficiency. He comes to the Natural Stone Institute with nearly 20 years of IT management experience in the public sector. A lifelong Northeast Ohio resident, in his free time Matt enjoys cycling and spending time with family.
Clint B. Eads, Test Laboratory Technician
Clint serves as a Test Laboratory Technician, responsible for conducting various laboratory tests and analyses to ensure the quality and integrity of natural stone products. Clint collaborates closely with the technical director and other team members to support research, development, and quality assurance initiatives within the organization.
Marcella Prado, Sales Development Director
Marcella has over 25 years of industry experience, with a deep understanding of sales strategy, sponsorship development, and team mentorship. As Sales Development Director, she is responsible for to driving strategic growth by strengthening partnerships, enhancing sales training, and guiding the next generation of professionals. Marcella’s leadership and passion for relationship-building make her a valuable asset to the organization.
