Each month, we take a moment to recognize the people who make Quarra Stone Company what it is. May is no different — this month, we’re proud to celebrate the work anniversaries of team members whose dedication, curiosity, and craftsmanship have left a lasting mark on everything we do. Behind every project and every finished piece of stone are the people who show up, day after day, and make it all possible.
Michael Katzke | Drafting Manager
For 18 years, Michael Katzke has been quietly shaping the way projects come together at Quarra Stone Company. As our Drafting Manager, Michael is often the first person to take on a project — starting with nothing more than a set of field dimensions and a really good puzzle to solve.
Some of his most rewarding work happens on site, where he measures historic buildings and documents complex geometry with a level of care and precision that few can match. Michael is drawn to the most challenging cases — the ones where pieces are so eroded or broken that there’s almost nothing left to measure, and figuring out the original intent becomes an exercise in both technical skill and historical intuition. Seeing those complex pieces fully realized in the finished project, he says, is always deeply satisfying.
Beyond his technical contributions, Michael brings a curiosity and problem-solving mindset to everything he touches. That approach — methodical, patient, and always focused on getting it right — has made him an invaluable part of the Quarra team for nearly two decades.
Outside of work, Michael’s creativity continues. He spends time playing the piano, tending to his backyard beehive, and diving into complex board games — the more complicated, the better. What he values most about being part of Quarra is the variety of projects and the lasting impact of the work. He loves pointing out completed projects to his family, knowing that many of them — especially monuments with deep historical significance — will stand for generations. That sense of permanence is something he carries with real pride.
Cheers to 18 years, Michael. We’re grateful for your curiosity, your problem-solving mindset, and the care you bring to every detail.
Also Celebrating This Month
We’re also recognizing a valued team member marking 2 years with Quarra Stone Company this May. While we keep the deeper spotlights for our longer-tenured team members, we want to make sure every anniversary is acknowledged — because every year matters, and every person who chooses to grow with us is someone worth celebrating. Thank you for two great years. We’re glad you’re here.
A Culture Built on People
Quarra Stone Company is known for its craftsmanship and precision — but it’s the people behind the work who truly set it apart. From long-tenured leaders like Michael to every team member building their path here, each individual contributes to a culture rooted in trust, skill, and shared purpose.
Stone fabrication is a craft that demands patience, technical knowledge, and an eye for detail that can’t be rushed or automated. The work Quarra does — from restoring historic monuments to fabricating complex architectural stonework — requires people who are genuinely invested in the outcome. That kind of commitment isn’t something you find in a job posting. It’s built over time, project by project, year by year.
That’s why work anniversaries matter here. Eighteen years of drafting experience doesn’t just represent time — it represents thousands of hours spent solving problems, refining processes, and developing an instinct for the work that only comes from showing up consistently and caring about the result. The institutional knowledge that long-tenured team members like Michael carry is part of what makes Quarra’s capabilities so difficult to replicate.
At Quarra, we believe that great stone work and great culture are not separate things. The precision you see in a finished project — the tight joints, the accurate geometry, the respect for material and history — reflects the same values that shape how we treat our people. Attention to detail. Commitment to craft. Pride in the finished result.
We’ll be back next month to celebrate the next group of anniversaries — because at Quarra Stone Company, recognizing the people who show up, year after year, is something we do all year long. These stories are a reminder that exceptional work doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built over time by people who care deeply about what they do — and at Quarra, that’s what makes all the difference.
