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! ❙❘❚
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