About US

MEET THE TEAM

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  Jeff Nibler

  CEO Carlsbad, CA

  I began my life journey in rural Oregon and have enjoyed world travel since graduating college. I love having my home in Southern California now but adventure and exploring the world are my passions. I began my Tile career as a temporary employee right out of college many years ago. I am a dedicated life long learner and have made a great career out of adventure, caring about people and caring about my company. That has set me on a path to CEO at Island Stone and I couldn't be happier. Our values are aligned in making cool products, being good to people and traveling the world.

  I am fortunate to have many memorable adventures in my life. Some of my favorite vacations are traveling to exotic beaches, soaking up the sun and letting myself relax. However, I think my favorite trip was traveling throughout Europe and attending Oktoberfest in Munich. I loved the culture and people almost as much as I loved the beer and pretzels. It was an amazing experience I hope to one day do again.

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  Nigel Eaton

  Director of Business Development Santa Cruz, CA

  I am Australian, growing up outside of Melbourne by the beach which led me to my greatest passion in Surfing. I have a Bachelor degree in Civil Engineering but I was borderline on choosing an architectural degree as I have always had a natural enthusiasm for architecture and design. Over the years, I have designed and built a couple of houses in Australia and while living in Bali for 15 years, designed and built 6 high end villas there, as well as building the factory for Island Stone.

  I have been with Island Stone since 2003 not long after my family and I moved to Indonesia.

  Travelling for me has been both the personal and the work adventures. A good amount of personal adventures have been chasing remote high quality surf, and I have found myself in many ridiculous situations along the way. My 3 sons also surf so I have been fortunate to have many magical family moments out in the water. My wife is Indonesian, she has a passion for travel and history so we do mix it up with trips to old world places like Europe when we can. With Island Stone I have spent a lot of time at factories in Asia and other places, a great way to meet new people and get glimpses in the window of everyday life which I really appreciate. I love having my mind opened to different ways of doing things, and the extraordinary things people around the world do, and how in many ways we are all so similar underneath the different cultural layers.

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  Mal Fraser

  Product Development New Zealand

  My adventure with Island Stone, began 22 years ago in a small garage in Bali where the pebble tile was conceived. Today I am responsible for research and development and design with our suppliers in India, China, New Zealand and Vietnam. My early career in the construction industry gave me a keen eye for product and manufacturing insight. Over the years we have developed hundreds of hand assembled products in our factories in Bali & Java.

  My love of working with great people from all over the world developing product has only gotten stronger with the terrific team of clever people at Island Stone. I am proud to be part of the ongoing adventure.

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  Chuck Heppner

  Founder, Consultant Santa Cruz, CA

  In 1978, Bali was one of my last stops after spending most of the 70’s backpacking, surfing and working my way around the world. This tropical paradise was beyond magical and I stayed as long as I could legally stay, but before finally moving on, I invested in some women’s clothing that I later sold in Hawaii and my life as a trader began.
  
  After circling the globe, I ended up marrying the girl next door and we began working on my new clothing design and importing business together. My wife, Jill, still operates the original Oceania boutique in Capitola with its 4-decade history with Indonesia.
  
  Chris Hogoboom and I started the North American arm of Island Stone in 1998 introducing the newly created Pebble Tile to the US. Our goal was to always do justice to the beautiful products of Island Stone with a huge selection, great presentation, and phenomenal customer service.

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  Jesse Stevens

  Regional Account Manager Eastern and Southeastern US

  If the Island Stone motto is Tile Set in Adventure, then mine might have to be Adventure Set in Tile. The son of a tile salesman, I have been in the industry almost 25 years - doing everything from warehouse, to retail sales, to my current role with Island Stone. When I’m not selling tile, I enjoy live music, sports, and traveling (so Covid’s been a lot of fun). The shining silver lining to that has been all the extra family time with my girlfriend Erin, our baby Vivienne, and our dog Layla.

  Some of my favorite adventures have been skydiving, driving cross country, flying in a WW2 era bi-plane, and a recent vacation with Erin to Sicily and Barcelona. But my favorite adventure is always the next one.

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  Charlie Maahs

  Regional Account Manager Midwestern US

  Charlie boasts over a decade of experience in the tile and flooring industry. Based in Lakeville, MN, he shares his home with his wife Kate and their two kids, Jett and Parker. Beyond his professional role, Charlie is dedicated to coaching and volunteering for his children's diverse activities, ranging from hockey and baseball to soccer, dance, and cheer. When not immersed in work or family engagements, Charlie finds enjoyment on the golf course.

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  Angelique Herman

  Senior Customer Experience Associate Santa Cruz, CA

  My name is Angelique Herman, I’ve had the privilege of working for Island Stone for 10 years. I started in the inside sales team and as I increased my knowledge of our products I moved into a role to assist our showrooms with sample support and merchandising in which I’ve built great customer relationships throughout the years. I have worked closely with our team of experienced Regional Account Managers to assist them with anything they needed for supporting their travels and presentations and any new customer accounts. I look forward to growing in my new role as the A&D liaison and increasing my knowledge in design.

  
  

  I grew up in Santa Cruz and have always been inspired by the beauty of nature, my mother is an artist and my father is a musician, as I grew up I found my own creative ambition in photography capturing beautiful landscapes and moments captured in time. I have always loved exploring nature, seeing new places and experiencing the great outdoors.

  My favorite trips are finding the roads less traveled. One of my favorite trips was off roading somewhere in Nevada and traversing over a few creeks and a huge river to find some hot springs that I heard where incredible! The reviews were true, once on the other side of the river there are multiple hot springs alongside the riverbanks. After a long day of travel there is nothing more amazing than a good meal cooked over the campfire and relaxing in the hot springs under the stars.

  
  

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  Justin Bower

  Customer Experience Representative San Diego, CA

  My name is Justin, and I started my adventure at Island Stone in early 2022. While growing up and currently living in San Diego, my hobbies have revolved around the idyllic climate, 70 miles of pristine beaches, and mile-high mountains. To the south, Mexico has treated me to many taco nights, and I am grateful to have experienced many cultural offerings in various towns along the border and coastline, including Tijuana, CDMX, and Ensenada.

  My only move out of America’s Finest city was to study Business Administration at San Jose State (go Spartans!). Following my recent graduation, I flocked back to San Diego in search of continued adventure and a desire to make a difference.

   Baseball is in my blood and the Padres have my heart. After becoming a washed up little league super star, I pursued my passion in the back end of baseball- umpiring. This alternate perspective allowed me to see the game from a point of view that very few are able to experience. While challenging and demanding, the experience was also rewarding and gratifying. I have hung up the cleats, and now focus my time as a fan of the Friars. 

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  Lisa Hawkins

  Customer Experience Lead Santa Cruz, CA

  I strongly believe that a happy home and happy work environment add up to a happy life and I am fortunate enough to be blessed to have both in my life. I believe that if you give a little you can receive a lot in return both at home and in the work field & I see that strongly while working with Island Stone. I am a dedicated & disciplined with a strong desire to be relatable to both my internal and external customers.

  
  

  While I have a strong passion for white sandy beaches, road trips and discovering new things, I have found that my best adventures have been at home with my family establishing roots and creating wings. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.

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  Ashlee Zimmer

  Regional Account Manager West Coast US
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  Kristin Mccabe

  Regional Account Manager South Central US
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  Nicole Quinn

  Regional Account Manager Southeast US
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