NEWH - Summer 2024 - 62
Q&A
ONE-ON-ONE WITH
Diane
Smith
What have you found to be most valuable about your NEWH involvement, both personally
and professionally?
I have always felt the need to volunteer and mentor people by encouraging them in their personal and
professional lives. Personally, NEWH has afforded me opportunities to do this with students, coworkers,
and my fellow board members. What I find personally valuable is having the opportunity to help students
achieve their educational dreams by providing financial assistance, networking opportunities, and
professional mentors to help guide them through their next steps in life. Professionally, being able
to network with people across the industry has been a definite advantage and I have made lifelong
friendships at the same time. NEWH also keeps me at the forefront of business happenings in my area
through events and the steering committee.
Steering Chair, Houston
region, and architectural
& account development
manager, Crossville Studios
What would surprise people about you?
I play the violin! When I was in 6th grade, our music teacher asked who wanted to play an instrument. I
have no idea why I chose the violin, but I knew it was the instrument for me. I moved to Texas a year later,
where I started taking private lessons and playing in the school orchestra. During my junior year, our
orchestra was invited to participate in the Vienna International Youth Festival in Austria. We spent 10 days
touring and playing concerts in Germany and Austria, culminating in the competition against orchestras
from around the world. We took third place and played a live concert broadcast on the BBC across Europe.
What would people be interested to know about your company?
Crossville Studios is a family-owned business that started in 1986. Crossville is a leading American
producer of porcelain, glass, and natural stone tile for interior and exterior floors, walls, and countertops.
Their state-of-the-art factory is located in Crossville, Tennessee. Through our Tile Take-Back® program,
started in 2020, and a recycling partnership created with TOTO USA to utilize their pre-consumer,
minimally flawed porcelain toilets in the production of our porcelain tile, we have diverted more than 139
million pounds of fired porcelain waste from ending up in landfills.
Where do you find inspiration, both inside and outside the industry?
Inside the industry I find inspiration from the many designers and architects I work with. I truly enjoy
learning about their projects, seeing their creativity in design and inspirations. Architecture for education
and healthcare has evolved into something far beyond what we saw in my early years, so I get excited to
see their designs become a reality. Outside the industry, I find inspiration from old cars, old architecture,
and antiques. I respect when people repurpose old things.
Why do you recommend people get involved with NEWH?
Having the ability to positively impact so many lives through our student scholarships is extremely
gratifying. Being on the board, I have learned how to organize, delegate, motivate, and work alongside
so many people across cultures, personalities, and industry segments. The training NEWH offers to
its members, board members, and community has been amazing. Leadership Conferences, strategic
planning workshops, and industry CEUs have all helped me grow professionally.
When you aren't working or at an NEWH event, where can we find you?
I love antiquing and exploring Main Street America. There are so many beautiful hidden gems. If we are
not roaming small towns, I am a beach girl so I love to have my toes in the sand! ❙❘❚
62 newh.org
http://www.newh.org
NEWH - Summer 2024
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NEWH - Summer 2024
CEO's Letter
News
Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity
Who's Who
Conference Roundup
Have You Seen?
Scholarships
Student Spotlight
International Spotlight
Q&A: Megan May
Q&A: Scott McSherry
Q&A: Diane Smith
Cover Story: KB Contract Textiles
Project: Hotel Flor
Project: Le Malt Imeriale
Project: Hyatt Regency Blackfriars
Chapter Highlights
Save the Date
New Members
Partner Profiles
Sponsor Index
NEWH - Summer 2024 - Cover1
NEWH - Summer 2024 - Cover2
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 3
NEWH - Summer 2024 - CEO's Letter
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 5
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 6
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 7
NEWH - Summer 2024 - News
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 9
NEWH - Summer 2024 - Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 11
NEWH - Summer 2024 - Who's Who
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 13
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 14
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 15
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 16
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 17
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 18
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 19
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 20
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 21
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 22
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 23
NEWH - Summer 2024 - Conference Roundup
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 25
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 26
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 27
NEWH - Summer 2024 - Have You Seen?
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 29
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 30
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 31
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 32
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 33
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 34
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 35
NEWH - Summer 2024 - Scholarships
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 37
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 38
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 39
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 40
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 41
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 42
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 43
NEWH - Summer 2024 - Student Spotlight
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 45
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 46
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 47
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 48
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 49
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 50
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 51
NEWH - Summer 2024 - International Spotlight
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 53
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 54
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 55
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 56
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 57
NEWH - Summer 2024 - Q&A: Megan May
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 59
NEWH - Summer 2024 - Q&A: Scott McSherry
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 61
NEWH - Summer 2024 - Q&A: Diane Smith
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 63
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 64
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 65
NEWH - Summer 2024 - Cover Story: KB Contract Textiles
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 67
NEWH - Summer 2024 - Project: Hotel Flor
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 69
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 70
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 71
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 72
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 73
NEWH - Summer 2024 - Project: Le Malt Imeriale
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 75
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 76
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 77
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 78
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 79
NEWH - Summer 2024 - Project: Hyatt Regency Blackfriars
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 81
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 82
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 83
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 84
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 85
NEWH - Summer 2024 - Chapter Highlights
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 87
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 88
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 89
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 90
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 91
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 92
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 93
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 94
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 95
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 96
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 97
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 98
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 99
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 100
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 101
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 102
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 103
NEWH - Summer 2024 - Save the Date
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 105
NEWH - Summer 2024 - New Members
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 107
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 108
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 109
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 110
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 111
NEWH - Summer 2024 - Partner Profiles
NEWH - Summer 2024 - 113
NEWH - Summer 2024 - Sponsor Index
NEWH - Summer 2024 - Cover3
NEWH - Summer 2024 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/newh/2024Fall
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https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/newh/2023Winter
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2018spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2017winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2017fall
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2016fall
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2015winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2015fall
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2014winter
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