The Marble Institute of America has announced the hiring of Aaron Dahnke to fill the vacated role of Education Manager. Aaron joins the MIA after 9 years of non-profit management experience, most recently serving as Education and Partnerships Manager at the Center for Nonprofit Advancement in Washington, D.C. Dahnke fills the role vacated by Jim Hieb when he accepted the position of MIA Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer.

Hieb had this to say of the hiring, “We asked Aaron to join our team primarily because of his association experience and understanding of education/curriculum development. We are excited to have Aaron join the team just prior to StonExpo, so he can meet face-to-face many of the industry leaders he will be working with to advance the stone industry’s education program.”

In his role with the MIA, Aaron will initially be responsible for:

• oversight of the Regional Education Program (in partnership with Stone World magazine);
• launching the Chapter Development pilot program; and,
• assisting the MIA Safety Committee with the development a turn-key safety manual and additional online safety training courses.

"I am excited to bring my nearly 10 years of training and education experience to the Marble Institute of America and look forward to further strengthening an already superb curriculum for our members," said Dahnke. He added, "It is an honor to have the opportunity to work with an institution as revered as the MIA. The team and membership of the MIA have been very welcoming and this camaraderie will help us produce great things for the industry."

A native of Sandusky, OH, joining the MIA team in Cleveland will also serve as a homecoming of sorts for Danhke, "the opportunity at the MIA is enhanced given that I'll be moving back to northern Ohio. I am excited to reconnect with friends and family, while building new relationships in the natural stone industry."

Dahnke has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Ohio University, as well as a Certificate in Fundraising from the University of Richmond.

Please join MIA in welcoming Aaron to the stone industry.  Aaron may be reached at adahnke@marble-institute.com.