Camra Sanders, a newly hired stone mason for Chicago, IL-based GI Stone, recently joined Chicago Local Union 21 as a marble finisher – the first in 20 years. Left-to-right: Tim Penmen, marble organizer for Local Union 21; Camra Saunders, marble finisher at GI Stone; Mike Volpentesta, president of Local Union 21; and Brian Tatar, GI Stone field director.
Women in the Industry Spotlight: Camra Sanders, GI Stone
Camra Sanders joins GI Stone as the first female marble finisher in 20 years to be a member of Chicago's Stone Masons Union Local 21
by Jennifer Richinelli
Camra Sanders is one of the most recent additions to GI Stone’s work family. The Chicago, IL-based commercial stone contractor is excited to welcome Sanders and nurture her stone masonry career.
Coming from the healthcare field, Sanders was looking for a change and was accepted into the apprentice program at St. Paul Community Development Ministries (SPCDM). “What they do is get students ready for trade jobs such as plumbing, electricians and stone masons,” she said.
“Camra is my unicorn,” said Sandya Dandamudi, president and owner of GI Stone. “We have been trying to get more women involved. We have a pretty diverse company, but a stone mason has been allusive.
“St. Paul’s does an amazing job of pre-qualifying and training stone masons so they are ready to join a union,” Dandamudi went on to say. “She is almost done with her apprentice period and it has just been a joy.”
Sanders is the first female to join Chicago's Stone Masons Union Local 21 as a marble finisher in 20 years. Watch the video interview to learn more about Sanders and her new role at GI Stone.
Paul Max Le Pera has 20+ years in Building Materials Executive Leadership who remains deeply active in product launches, brand management and global business development.
He also serves as vice president and board member of the International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA) as well as National Expert on the U.S. technical advisory group to ISO's team creating Global Standards for quartz surfacing.
Rod Sigman CTC, CCTS, CSMTT is the business development leader for MAPEI Corporation’s UltraCare® line of products for the care and maintenance of tile and stone products. Sigman has a proven track-record of success in the flooring industry, with experience in both training and education, as well as all support functions pertaining to national sales accounts and distribution. He has served on the technical committees of the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) and the Natural Stone Institute (NSI). He has successfully completed the Ceramic Tile Consultant Course, is a Certified Ceramic Tile Specialist (CCTS) and is also a Concrete Slab Moisture Testing (CSMT) Technician. Further, he was recognized by the Marble Institute of America (now the Natural Stone Institute) as a significant influence for the stone industry.
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