Argentina-based tile manufacturer Ilva S.A. has announced major changes at several key sales positions throughout the Eastern and Southern United States.

Ilva introduced Drew Giungo, a seasoned factory representative and tile industry veteran, as the tile maker’s top sales contact for the following Northeastern states: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and Washington, DC. Giungo comes to Ilva S.A. from StonePeak Ceramics, where for the last five years he functioned as Northeast Mid-Atlantic Sales Manager. Over the years, he has held similar posts at high-ranking organizations in the tile and stone industry such as American Olean (Dal-Tile), Richetti, Conestoga Tile Company and Marble & Granite Concepts. Giungo is a graduate of the University of New Haven in New Haven, CT.

Giungo takes over the sales agent position from Gary Thorp, who has handled Northeast sales for over a decade. Thorp’s distributorship, Heartland Tile located in Moorestown, New Jersey, will continue to function as a major Ilva distributor. “We’ve have an excellent relationship with Gary Thorp,” stated Cristian Fraga, Export Director of Ilva. “And, we’ll continue to work closely with his company, Heartland Tile. Due to a number of business dynamics, it became necessary for us to select a new sales agent. Drew Giungo and Gary Thorp know each other well … and, will work together at optimal levels.”

Jim Caron has been contracted as Ilva’s sales agent for the Southern Region of the United States, consisting of Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina and Florida. Prior to joining Ilva S.A., Caron worked within the ceramic tile and natural stone industries for many years as a technical and architectural representative writing specifications and creating and facilitating continued education programs for architects, designers and engineers. He began his career in architecture and structural engineering after receiving a degree in architectural engineering. Caron is a certified member of the AIA, CSI and the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

“Ilva is recognized globally as a first-class manufacturer of porcelain tile, and as a serious company committed to excellent customer service. It’s a great honor to be working with such a fine organization,” Caron said.

Caron will be replacing Mario Klappholz, Ilva’s original North American sales representative. “Mario did a fine job over the years for our firm,” said Francisco Zanon, President of Ilva. “We want to publicly thank him for all his efforts and wish him the very best in his future business ventures. We have no doubt he’ll be successful.”