As a passionate member of Minnesota's Cold Spring Granite team for more than 14 years, John Mattke lives and breathes the natural stone industry. Perhaps it's his far-reaching vision for the industry's future or his commitment to debunking myths and misinformation about natural stone that make his fervor contagious. From any standpoint, Mattke's dedication to promoting the industry has not gone unnoticed. As a result, Building Stone Institute (BSI) has named him its 2007 Person of the Year.

Recently, Mattke shared his thoughts about the value of BSI, his history and the industry with Building Stone Magazine.

What do you see as the benefits of belonging to BSI?
Networking, sharing information, learning, supporting, innovating, growing — none of these things can happen in a vacuum. I am proud to be a part of the shaping of our industry by working with other companies to provide a positive influence.

What do you want others in the industry
to know about BSI?
There are people within the organization who have ambitious ideas, which have translated into plans that the organization is set to carry out. And, like anything that is worthwhile, you won't get much from the BSI if you aren't willing to invest of yourself, your time, your energy and your support. An uninvolved membership is no membership at all. If you do get involved, you will be met by a large group of quality people who are willing to give of themselves to help you succeed in business and/or your career.

What are your thoughts or reactions to being named BSI's Person of the Year?
It is an honor for me to represent the BSI and its members as Person of the Year and flattering to be recognized as such. I am genuinely passionate about the opportunities in front of the industry as a whole; I am proud of the role the BSI and its membership will play in realizing them and glad to be a part of it. On the flip side, there are many within the organization deserving of recognition, and I am humbled that I was the one chosen for 2007. I am already looking forward to presenting the Person of the Year award for 2008, so I have the opportunity to personally recognize the accomplishments of another BSI member.

How long have you been in the stone industry? Briefly share your journey from beginning to present time.
I began my career with Cold Spring Granite Company (CSG) in 1994. Prior to that time, I spent about five years working on the CSG account for a marketing firm that CSG used, so I was already somewhat involved and familiar with the company's businesses prior to becoming an employee. At CSG, I started in marketing and, through various job changes, gained experience at the executive level — in operations (both fabrication and quarries), and sales (primarily on the memorial side of the business). I became president and chief operating officer in April 2004.

John Mattke feels natural stone monuments are an important use of stone.
Photo courtesy of Cold Spring Granite

What is the most rewarding aspect of
your position at CSG?
I focus my energies primarily on enhancing and shaping the culture of the organization, strategy and brand building, developing strength in people and processes and looking for ways to build on our corporate strengths to enhance shareholder value. I truly love it all, but if I had to choose, my favorite part of the job is seeing the potential in people and watching them realize it. I thrive on building the enthusiasm of people who are learning and accomplishing.

How would you describe your years in
the stone industry?
I have seen all aspects of it, and I believe it is an exciting time for the industry. We have been very fragmented, not only as individual companies but as stone associations and others related to stone. Now, I see stronger commitment toward unity within the industry and considerable energy by individual companies and associations toward proactively improving and growing the industry as a whole. I also like the growing emphasis on doing the right things — whether economically, socially or environmentally relative to how companies are being managed. It is positive and very refreshing.

How long has CSG been a part of BSI?
Our company is a long-time member. I don't know the first year we joined, but I would not be surprised if we were one of the charter members of the BSI. There were a few years prior to my arriving at Cold Spring Granite when the company did not belong, but for the vast majority of the years BSI has been in existence, CSG has been a part of it.

Tributes to those who have served and sacrificed for the United States, such as the FDR and Korean War memorials in Washington, D.C., are some of the projects most meaningful to BSI's Person of the Year John Mattke.
Photo courtesy of Cold Spring Granite

What do you see as the main issues facing
the natural stone industry currently, and what are your plans to address them?
I could devote an entire issue to this topic. However, competition from competing products, misinformation and misperception about our industry and our materials, the scale and scope of the green building movement, lack of continuity in our messages to customer/consumers, regulatory issues, labor issues, a generally sluggish economic situation in the United States — all are important and must be addressed at a variety of levels. Our company has plans to address each of these areas. The BSI, through its own programs and its affiliation with the Natural Stone Council, is addressing most of them as well.

What are your goals for
the natural stone industry's future?
I have long been a proponent of creating a unified stone industry, sharing a common voice with the strength and conviction to take responsibility for its own future. The only thing holding us back is us, and we are starting to make some real progress toward creating that unified environment. I would like to see the stone industry double in size before I retire, and I see no reason why that shouldn't happen.

Of the stone projects you've been a part of, what are your favorites and why?
I think all stone is beautiful in its own way, and I can think of many projects that are visually awesome. However, I am partial to the memorials in Washington D.C. — FDR, Korean War Memorial — and the many other state and federal tributes to those who have served and/or sacrificed to create and preserve our way of life in the United States. Those have the most meaning to me.