Meet Our Knowledgeable Staff of Designers, Architects and Craftsmen
People are the heart and soul of MARBLEX. We are family-owned and value-driven. We are artisans, architects, stone designers, installers, technicians, and engineers. We believe in the enduring beauty of natural stone.
Customer service is our mantra. We believe that the customer must be completely satisfied, before the job is considered complete.
MARBLEX SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM
- Cristina Giardina Yilmaz, Vice President & Mete’ Yilmaz – President
- Ozzy Yilmaz, Vice President of Operations
- Salvatore Giardina, PR Director
Cristina Giardina Yilmaz, Vice President & Meté Yilmaz – President
MARBLEX, was founded in 1987 by co-founders Meté and Cristina Yilmaz along with their dog Mickie, the company’s mascot. Since 1987 it has been their mission to not only consistently provide excellence in custom stonework but to have an organization that always cares for their customers and employees and to know that the organization’s collective values is the key to their total success.
Meté Yilmaz, born in Izmir, Turkey holds a Bachelors degree in Architecture from Aegean University in Izmir, Turkey as well as a Masters degree in Architecture and Urban Design from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. Meté has spent over 30 years working with natural stone.
In 1986, Meté was commissioned as a project architect to oversee all of the stonework for the National Museum of Women in the Arts. As an architect and a creative individual by heart, he is always looking for creative and innovative uses for stone. In his own words, “I will take a client’s idea and carve it into stone”. Cristina Giardina Yilmaz born in Torino, Italy is a graduate of George Mason University with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing. Prior to starting MARBLEX, Cristina’s background was in personnel thus lies her deep-rooted values and philosophy to provide the best possible climate for personal development for all of their employees and to constantly develop a spirit of teamwork to attain a common goal.
As both Meté and Cristina truly enjoy the stone industry and their business, they equally enjoy spending time at their summer home in Annapolis, MD where they enjoy sailing and spending time with their two dogs, Annie, their 7-year old bichon-poodle mix and Chelsea their 5-year old Turkish, westie/maltese mix.
“Even though our beloved friend and mascot Mickie is no longer with us, we would like to thank her for 16 years of dedicated service to MARBLEX. A day did not go by that she did not greet our client’s with unconditional love and joy while always providing constant entertainment. She was cherished by all and is truly missed.”
Ozzy Yilmaz, Vice President of Operations – ozzy@marblexinc.com, x220
Ozzy has been involved in the dimensional stone industry for over 20 years and is one of the founding members of MARBLEX. He has extensive experience in all aspects of the stone industry including purchasing, fabrication, design, project management, and installation. His experience has led to numerous awards for a variety of projects, most recently including the 2007 Best of Cambria award. Ozzy holds a BS in Business Management from Southeastern University. In his spare time he likes anything to do with sports, working out, playing soccer, and hanging out with his six-year old daughter.
Salvatore Giardina, PR Director – x210
MARBLEX would not be a true family business without co-owner, Cristina Giardina Yilmaz’ father Salvatore Giardina. Salvatore was born in Sicily, Italy and migrated to the U.S. with his family in 1962. A tailor by trade, an actor by heart, Salvatore’s good-natured fun-loving ways has charmed many. He is a true host for MARBLEX, always gracious, accommodating and always with a sense of humor. His native Italian charm has entertained many clients as they have waited on a busy Saturday. He has a passion for acting, art, music, his family and most of all people! He is a brilliant pianist, and also an excellent barrista, according to our clients, serves the best coffee and espresso in Northern Virginia. With his talent for art and his love for the beauty of nature he often time accompanies and assists owners, Meté and Cristina Yilmaz in their travels especially to Italy in the purchasing of rare and beautiful exotic stones.
