Paul Vigna Receives 2012 MIA Migliore Award for Lifetime Achievement

Paul Vigna, who spent more than 50 years in the natural stone industry, was awarded the 2012 Migliore Award for Lifetime Achievement by the Marble Institute of America (MIA). Vigna has a unique work history, first starting in the field, and later moving into the office setting as an estimator, and eventually becoming the President of the Stone Division for Artisan Tile & Marble. His career started in 1963  at Everlasting Terrazzo, Tile and Marble in Trenton, N.J.  “I started as a helper in the field for a union contractor, became a setter and eventually worked my way into the office,” Vigna recalled.

Impressed with his work ethic, management sent him to night school to learn blueprint reading, and then promoted him to drafting. To further his education, he took architectural courses at Mercer County Community College and Princeton University. After spending many years working in Trenton, Atlantic City and New York, Vigna operated his own firm, Reynolds Tile, Terrazzo and Marble in Trenton for 14 years. In 1992, he joined Artisan Tile and Marble Company of New Jersey, which today is one of the largest commercial stone contractors in the state. Shortly after he joined the company he was promoted to president of the firm’s Artisan Stone Division. “Paul is one of those unique, rare individuals who have knowledge beyond compare,” said John Sekora, chairman of Artisan Tile and Marble. “He is a true craftsman and artisan. He knows his field. He works with general contractors, architects and designers. His knowledge is so vast that everyone wants a little part of him. He is responsible for many of the Golden Trowel Awards that we have received. His name is well known in the industry.”

Along with having an outstanding career in the working part of the industry, Vigna has also given back to the stone industry after being elected to the MIA Board of Directors in 2000. He served as treasurer 2001 and moved through the ranks to become President of the Marble Institute of America in 2004.  He is still one of the MIA’s greatest supporters. He also believes in the next generation and has spent countless hours mentoring newcomers to the industry. For several years, Paul has offered his services as a consultant to the stone industry and general public sharing his expertise and recommendations for stone related projects.