Board Elections

Zone 6: Rocky Mountain: Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming (board seat currently held by Bruce Knaphus, KEPCO+, Inc.).

Zone 12: Pacific Rim: Asia, Australia, and Philippines (board seat currently held by Josh Zhang, Jianming Stone Group).

Blake Christensen
Valley View Granite

Blake is the owner and CEO of Valley View Granite basedin Tremonton UT. With over 20 years in the natural stone industry, Blake started fabricating and installing slab countertops while attending high school in Southern California in 1997 and founded Valley View Granite in Tremonton, Utah in 2003. Valley View Granite fabricates and installs natural slab products and operates from 6 locations throughout Utah and Idaho. Emulating the company core values S.O.L.I.D. (Self-motivated, Optimistic, Laser-focused, Industry-expert, and Dedicated), Blake’s organization strives to radiate these values in all facets of operations and personal life. Blake has donated to the Gary Sinise Foundation R.I.S.E. program and helped install the natural stone in the Use Natural Stone booth for the KBIS show. He serves on several association committees and his company has become a Natural Stone Institute Accredited fabricator. Blake is committed to elevating and legitimizing the natural stone industry through strengthening great trade associations such as the Natural Stone Institute.
Member Since: 2013
Industry Segment: Fabricator        
Years Employed in Stone Industry: 19

Amit Gupta
TAB | TABQUARTZ | Amsum & Ash

Amit is the Chairman and CEO for TAB | TABQUARTZ | Amsum & Ash, Jaipur, India. Beginning his stone career at the young age of 23, Amit and his younger brother Sumit founded TAB and Amsum & Ash during college. The company began operations as a manufacturer of natural stone products and with Amit’s leadership and Sumit’s manufacturing prowess, it has grown to employ over 1,200 employees through their global operations. Amit helped to support the association during the radon crisis, hosted industry events at their facility, and has also been involved with fundraising efforts for the Use Natural Stone Promotional campaign.
Member Since: 2002
Industry Segment: Distributor        
Years Employed in Stone Industry: 25

Reid Kubesh
Coldspring

Reid is Director of Sales for Coldspring in Cold Spring, MN. Having joined the company in 2013, Reid led the company’s initiatives in developing a new market in Bismarck, ND and spearheaded the start-up at this location. His successful management of this selection center led to his current expanded role at Coldspring’s headquarters. During his time with Coldspring, Reid has helped provide donations to support the Natural Stone Institute’s auction, the first natural stone pavilion and Women in Stone Amazing Race during StonExpo 2020. Reid has also participated in association events, study tours, and donated material to the Gary Sinise Foundation R.I.S.E. program.
Member Since: 2013
Industry Segment: Quarrier   
Years Employed in Stone Industry: 7

Rebecca Yeung
Xiamen R&M International Stone

Rebecca is the owner of Xiamen R&M International Stone in Xiamen, China. Having worked in the natural stone industry for 14 years, Rebecca’s company produces, fabricates, and exports cut-to-size custom stone projects with a focus on premium quality. Her company has hosted and welcomed the Natural Stone Institute Xiamen Stone Fair delegation at her facility for a tour. She looks forward to serving the association and representing the Pacific Rim.
Member Since: 2017
Industry Segment: Fabricator
Years Employed in Stone Industry: 14