Our team.
Tim Armstrong – Production Supervisor
Tim has been involved in masonry and construction since 1991 and has 30+ years of experience in the industry. Tim attended Vermont Technical College, and earned and degree in architectural engineering and has been with VSA and affiliated companies since he got out of school. His specialties are wide ranging and include masonry installation, interpreting construction details, cost estimation, drafting, CNC programming and fabrication. Often referred to by his colleagues as the smartest man in the company...in the zip code...in the industry, Tim’s wide range of experience, deep knowledge of construction and willingness to help in any situation make him an invaluable asset to the company, our projects, our customers and the industry at large.
Outside of VSA, Tim spends his time with friends and his beautiful family, and is a long standing, active member of the local youth sports community.
anthony bialke – CAD Designer
nick blanco – CAD Designer
Nick Blanco has been drafting at VSA since 2017. He has been able to take his education and professional experience in manufacturing engineering technology and bring a unique perspective to the VSA team. Combining his knowledge of working on a shop floor, education, and growing understanding of the stone industry has made Nick a valuable asset for VSA. He has worked effectively with the project team to take on complex projects and bridge the gap between architectural intent, fabrication capabilities and installation needs.
Michael bauer – CAD Designer
emily brien - sales support assistant
Emily brien was born and raised here in Central Vermont where she is building a new home with her better half, Matthew Brien and their fluffy St. Bernard Tucker. The two of them recently celebrated their marriage on October 19th, 2024.
Growing up with family in the construction, granite and art fields, Emily grew a passion for design. She went on to Vermont Technical College where she received her associate's degree in architectural engineering in 2016. In 2018, Emily Joined the VSA team as an Estimator and brought her love for design and attention to detail to the team. She even brings her interior design into the office where she decorates for all the Holidays.
After 3 years of Estimating, she went on to broaden her experience in Sales and Computer Aided Design. After gaining several more years of experience to broaden her knowledge, she re-joined the Vermont Stone Art team as the Sales Support Assistant (SSA) in 2024.
Outside of VSA, Emily enjoys traveling with her soon to be husband around the world and going anywhere where the sunset touches the beach. She also enjoys spending time camping with her family, walking Tucker, spoiling her loved ones and teaching paint and sips.
Tessa Bussiere - Project Manager & Product Developer
Tessa has been with VSA since 2013. Born and raised in Vermont, her humble roots in construction began as part of a father-daughter excavation team. Tessa went on to graduate from UVM with a focus on Plant and Soil Science and a Permaculture Design Certification. She has a deep interest in the origins and application of natural stone materials and a resourcefulness for the daily challenges and solutions to be experienced and achieved together with our industry colleagues. All of this coupled with her 20+ years of experience in various aspects of the construction industry give Tessa a unique advantage, passion, and discipline to master the product development and project management for VSA and make her an integral part of every project she works on. Her skills are far ranging, and her knowledge specializes in custom stone drafting details, procurement, domestic and international order management, shipping logistics, and customer service. All of which have aided in her successful management of hundreds of prestigious stone projects across the country. Outside of VSA, Tessa cherishes her time with family, friends and her toy poodle, Lexi.
bruce campbell – cnc operator
Whitney Fellows – Sales Manager / NYC / Mid-Atlantic sales
Whit has nearly 25 years of experience in the construction industry, working in multiple positions both on the supply and installation side of the industry. Whit has a true passion for the projects that we build, starting very early in the design process and all the way through to installation and the finishing touches that make each of our projects a success. He has a true love of natural materials and takes great pride in the intentional repurposing of actual pieces of the crust of our planet into new components of our built environment. He considers this a great honor and truly enjoys sharing this pursuit with the designers and contractors we work with. Outside of work, Whit enjoys family, friends, spending time outdoors, live music and travel (i.e. stone geek tourism).
Gerry Gatch – CAD Designer
Gerry Gatch is an experienced designer / drafter and has worked on both national and international projects. Many high-profile assignments involved world headquarters for corporate and major financial institutions. Gerry’s approach originated with his study of Industrial Design principles and disciplines. Working with leaders in design and manufacturing has further benefitted Gerry’s abilities.
Family first is Gerry’s motto; he also enjoys music, nature and is a self-proclaimed home cook. Gerry would tell you he has a collection of cookbooks and he’s not afraid to use them.
Charles Halstead-Johnson - Controller
Started at VSA in 2017, responsible for the accounting of getting your order, with your specifications, to you. Please contact me if you have any questions about our invoices
declan kerr – nyc sales
Pamela Kostruba – Project Coordinator
Pam Kostruba is an experienced Project Coordinator. She is a dedicated support professional skilled in Project Management. Pam takes pride in providing the best customer service and reaching project goals. VSA (Vermont Stone Art) recognizes Pam for her extraordinary commitment to our customers and her project team.
Austen LaFrance - Estimator
Austen LaFrance has been with VSA since 2020. Serving as an estimator at VSA, she plays a major role in creating accurate takeoffs and proposals for customers. Austen is a proud alum of Vermont Technical College where she received a B.S. in Architectural Engineering Technology. Outside of the office, Austen enjoys spending time with her family and their five Labrador Retrievers.
david ian lightbody - special projects coordinator
David Ian Lightbody is a Scottish-trained engineer and archaeologist. While travelling around construction sites in Europe he developed a special interest in traditional stone buildings and the history of monumental architecture and eventually returned to university to study ancient architecture and archaeology to academic level. He continues to study and publish in this subject area in his spare time, while working on more modern natural stone projects with VSA.
logan middelton - cad designer
Logan began working as a CAD designer at VSA in October of 2024. Logan grew up in central Vermont and harbored a passion for architecture, woodworking and furniture design. He worked in the furniture and architectural millwork field in VT before spending the last six years living in Boston Massachusetts; graduating with a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Wentworth Institute of Technology. In his time in MA, he worked as an architectural designer, Makerspace tech, Carpenter and Bartender both in Boston and New Bedford. Being new to the stone and masonry industry, but with experience in the design to manufacturing process, he has found a rewarding experience in adapting to the tolerances of stone.
In his time away from the office; he enjoys his newly refreshed access to the outdoors since returning home to VT in September of 2024 by playing tennis, hiking, hunting and fly fishing.
eric mootz - business development associate
Eric started in the construction industry under VSA in 2013. Throughout the years he's worked in may capacities including sales, estimating, drafting, and project management. He's worked on small residential, ultra high end residentia, small commerical and full scale commerical. He enjoys finding intresting projects and can bring a wealth of skills and insight to each project he takes on.
Roger Quirion – General Manager
Roger enjoys spending time with his family and was a middle school and high school basketball coach for many years and is also an avid cyclist.
colin reynolds – estimator
New to the quarrying and cut stone industry as of 2023, Colin brings a diverse skill set to VSA. Experience in civil design, heavy construction, manufacturing, small business operation and project management provides the foundation upon which Colin has been developing his expertise as an estimator. COLIN HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL ADDITION TO THE TEAM, AND A VALUED CONTRIBUTOR FROM DAY ONE. Colin enjoys his family, music and the outdoors.
Jean-Charles Rioux – Project Manager
Jean-Charles has joined VSA recently in 2022. Prior to taking this role of Project Manager, he worked 2 years for a general contractor in masonry restoration and 4 years in the Quebec natural stone industry. During those years he had the chance to work on major masonry projects the like of Parliament of Québec and the Windsor Station in Montréal. Jean-Charles has a civil engineering degree and an MBA, which reflect his interest for the construction industry and business development. Outside of working hours, he likes spend time with his family, ski or work on home renovation projects.
Jeremy Shortsleeve – Project Coordinator
Jeremy Shortsleeve comes to us with experience in program management, production planning, manufacturing supervision, and manufacturing management. He holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s degree in project management. He also holds certifications in continuous improvement (CI), achieving competitive excellence (ACE), and many leadership trainings. Jeremy’s wide variety and depth of experience and training are essential components of his role in a fast-paced, dynamic and technical industry and workload, and he approaches every day and challenge with purpose and good humor.
In his spare time he enjoys coaching his son’s U12 premier soccer team, handcycling, his dog Oscar, and being outdoors.
Mary Tousignant – Estimating Supervisor
Mary Tousignant has been successfully estimating, managing, and drafting natural stone projects for the past 38 years.
As the Estimating Supervisor at Vermont Stone Art, she has developed training tools for teaching the art of doing a takeoff and advises best practices for how to interpret drawings and develop cost effective details for fabricating natural stone. She collaborates with drafting and project management to help ensure a smoothly run project. She also provides drafting support when needed.
Mary has been working remotely from Central Virginia since 2017. She enjoys the warmer climate that allows her to ride her horses year-round with the local fox hunt clubs. She also enjoys hiking and spending time with her family.
Diane Vanat - Bookkeeper
Diane has been with Vermont Stone Art since 2011, playing a critical role in our accounting department. Diane tirelessly supports our internal team members and external partners with unparalleled administrative diligence and accuracy.
Dana Vautier – Northeast Sales
Dana Vautier has 20 years devoted to the construction industry, the last 5 here at Vermont Stone Art. In that time Dana had some amazing opportunities creating projects with wonderful people, from the Big Sky in Montana to the East Coast. Skills include landscape and architectural design consultation, construction material and labor budgeting, residential and commercial installation with many materials and contractors and efficient use of take-off software. Dana has 12 years of experience in the field leading crews a position that helps one understand the many complexities of any project from the ground level. Dana’s problem-solving skills that were developed during this time have allowed him to think critically about how design will translate to the actual field conditions. In his free time, you can find Dana spending time with his two young children and wife, fishing, hiking, boating, or camping.