Each month, we take a moment to recognize the people who make Quarra Stone Company what it is. This July, we are proud to celebrate the work anniversaries of Alex Wolfe and Brian Smith — two team members whose dedication, expertise, and character continue to shape our culture and our craft. Behind every project and every milestone are the people who show up, day after day, and make it all possible.
Alex Wolfe | Machinist
Seven years in, Alex Wolfe still looks for the same thing that first drew him to the shop: work that’s precise, challenging, and satisfying to see through. As a Machinist at Quarra, he thrives on projects that demand focus and consistency — where problem-solving and production go hand in hand.
One project that really stuck with him was the Orem Temple. Milling hundreds of bas-relief wall panels required patience, accuracy, and a steady rhythm. The work was detailed enough to stay engaging, yet consistent enough to feel rewarding from the first piece to the last — exactly the kind of challenge Alex enjoys most.
When he’s not on the shop floor, Alex stays active through running, bowling, and snowmobiling. That same energy carries into his work, where he’s always looking to learn something new and help others do the same. He takes pride in sharing knowledge with teammates, knowing that every lesson strengthens the shop as a whole.
Cheers to seven years, Alex — thank you for the skill, curiosity, and commitment you bring to everything you work on.
Brian Smith | QLAB Director of Design Engineering + Robotic Fabrication
For more than a decade, Brian Smith has helped push Quarra’s most complex work forward by bridging advanced technology, engineering, and craftsmanship.
Over his 11 years at Quarra, Brian has been drawn to projects with lasting purpose — particularly memorials, public works, and fine art. Projects such as the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers, the Emanuel Nine Memorial, and collaborations with Sarah Sze and Maya Lin have been especially meaningful, combining technical complexity with enduring cultural significance. He values being part of the process of translating powerful ideas into permanent works in stone — pieces designed to outlast generations.
Outside the Q Lab, Brian enjoys spending time outdoors with his family, working with their horses, trail riding, and tackling hands-on projects around the house, property, and workshop.
What Brian appreciates most about Quarra is the depth of expertise across the team and the willingness to take on challenging, unconventional work. With a wide range of perspectives and technical disciplines working together, collaboration drives the creative problem-solving required to deliver projects that few fabricators could accomplish.
Those who work alongside Brian describe him as thoughtful, passionate, and exceptionally knowledgeable. They value his attention to both the smallest details and the biggest challenges, his steady leadership, and the intuition and experience he brings to every project. As one teammate shared, “Brian is a deep well of intuition, experience, and passion that we are grateful to draw from.” Another simply called him “the pillar of the Q Lab.”
Cheers to 11 years, Brian — your expertise continues to shape Quarra’s most ambitious work, and we’re grateful to have you on the team.
A Culture Built on People
While Quarra Stone Company is known for its craftsmanship and capability, it’s the people behind the work who truly set it apart. From the precision of the Q LAB to the steady hands guiding projects through installation, each individual contributes to a culture built on trust, skill, and shared purpose.
We’ll be back next month to celebrate the next group of anniversaries — because at Quarra, recognizing the people who show up is something we do all year long. These stories are a reminder that great work doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built over time by people who care. And at Quarra, that’s what makes all the difference.
