STORYLINES by Sto–A New Way to Stay Connected.
As we begin 2026, the Q4 edition of STORYLINES offers a moment to reflect on the progress made across our distributor network and the momentum built throughout 2025. From project successes and product adoption to continued engagement in industry initiatives, this year has reinforced the value of strong partnerships and consistent execution across every region.
Looking ahead, these collective efforts position us well for 2026. With new opportunities, evolving market needs, and continued collaboration between Sto and our distributor partners, we remain focused on delivering solutions that perform and relationships that last. Thank you for your continued trust and partnership, we look forward to finishing the year strong and building on this success in the year ahead.
Mark Orlando
Vice President, Sales
Featured Solutions
StoGuard® Conformable Membrane
StoColor® Wood Stain – Improved Formula
StoGuard® Conformable Membrane
Reliable Detailing Component
A self-adhered membrane flashing designed to seal dynamic joints, sheathing joints, substrate transitions, penetrations, and rough openings within a StoGuard® air and water-resistive barrier system.
High-Flexibility Performance
With an aggressive no-primer adhesive and highly elongated membrane, it readily conforms to complex shapes and challenging geometry on the building enclosure.
Simplified Installation
Primer-free adhesion — even at low temperatures — helps reduce installation complexity and speed detailing at critical transitions.
System Compatibility
Fully compatible with StoGuard® air and water-resistive barrier components, helping maintain continuity of protection across wall assemblies.
StoColor® Wood Stain – Improved Formula
Enhanced Application
An improved formulation with a slightly thicker consistency helps simplify application while maintaining the same trusted performance.
Richer Color in Two Coats
Designed to achieve deeper, more consistent color in just two coats, enhancing the natural look of wood surfaces.
Consistent Color Performance
Color formulations remain unchanged from the previous version, ensuring continuity across projects when used as specified.
Matte & Gloss Options
Available in both matte and gloss finishes, offering flexibility to meet a range of aesthetic preferences and design needs.
Built to take the hit.
See StoCast Durability In Action
This side-by-side video demonstration shows how StoCast Wood compares to fiber cement under three common impact scenarios, ball drop, bat strike, and hammer impact, highlighting how resin-cast wood maintains its integrity where fiber cement can fracture or chip. The video also features StoCast Brick undergoing the same impact tests, showcasing the inherent durability of resin-cast masonry aesthetics designed for real-world conditions.
Learn More About StoCast
Industry News
AWCI Build26 Convention + Expo
Sto is preparing for the AWCI Build26 Convention + Expo, taking place March 15–18, 2026, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Build26 is the premier event for the wall and ceiling industry, bringing together contractors, manufacturers, distributors, and service partners for education sessions, networking receptions, and an interactive expo showcasing the latest products and solutions. Sto will be there connecting with industry professionals and strengthening relationships across the market as part of this key networking and learning event.
For more information visit:
2025 Top 10 U.S. Distributors
Florida
New Jersey
New Mexico
Arizona
Georgia
New York
North Carolina
California
Washington
Springfield, VA
2025 Top 5 U.S. Regional Distributors
NORTH
Little Falls, NJ
Brooklyn, NY
Little Falls, NJ
Springfield, VA
Boston, MA
SOUTH
Hialeah Gardens, FL
Jacksonville, FL
Orlando, FL
Houston, TX
Austin, TX
WEST
Albuquerque, NM
Phoenix, AZ
Seattle, WA
Honolulu, HI
Santa Fe Springs, CA
2025 Top 10 StoCast Market Leaders
Hialeah Gardens, FL
Brooklyn, NY
Grand Rapids, MI
Little Falls, NJ
Indianapolis, IN
Dallas, TX
Orlando, FL
Tampa, FL
Little Falls, NJ
North Carolina
Ryan Jaber
Drywall Supply, Inc | Omaha, NE
With nearly 25 years of experience in tinting, Ryan Jaber brings precision, patience, and problem-solving to every color match that leaves the counter. What started as a high school summer job quickly turned into a long-term career built on consistency and trust. Today, Ryan balances technology and hands-on expertise to ensure accurate, repeatable results, helping keep jobsites moving and customers confident in their finishes.
More than a Tinter
“There’s never a dull moment” could easily describe Ryan Jaber’s day-to-day at Drywall Supply, Inc. in Omaha. Nearly 25 years in, he still treats tinting as equal parts craft and problem-solving, keeping jobsites moving one accurate match at a time.
Then vs. Now
Ryan’s tinting career started with a summer job offer from his uncle during high school, and it turned into a profession he’s stuck with ever since. Over the last two decades, he’s also watched the Midwest market evolve dramatically: liquid-applied air and moisture barriers were once rare, and now Sto Gold Coat moves in truckloads each year.
Tech + Skill = Accuracy
Ryan starts each day checking ongoing color matches, allowing samples to cure before making formula adjustments because wet vs. cured can be a big swing. From there, it’s “triage,” balancing urgent jobsite needs with the reality that a match done too fast can become a visible mistake on the wall.
Trust Earned Over Time
For Ryan, consistency is non-negotiable, especially when multiple pails are involved. He’s strict about process (including who starts and finishes a tint batch), and he relies on real-world comparisons, checking a five-gallon pail against previously made quarts/half-gallons because it’s more accurate than a fan deck alone.
Beyond the Bucket
After years of color matching, Ryan has seen it all, like the time a homeowner brought in paprika and curry powder to match (resulting in watery eyes and nonstop sneezing with every adjustment). And when someone asked for a color “halfway between coffee and chocolate,” he grabbed both from the breakroom and matched the median.
Advice to the Next Generation
Ryan’s advice is practical: always check the first pail before dispensing into the rest, your last best chance to catch a mistake. He also encourages better jobsite clarity by training teams to use numbers instead of color names and keeping retain sticks/notes for every batch to avoid costly confusion later.
Did You Know?
Sto Studio is Sto’s digital design visualization service empowering any customer to explore finishes, colors, and textures on real-world building imagery. This helps teams to quickly evaluate aesthetic options during early design phases, before materials are specified or samples are ordered. In essence, Sto Studio is a collaborative resource for transforming architectural visions into tangible, aesthetically powerful, and functional building exteriors, leveraging Sto’s material and color expertise.
Why it matters: Sto Studio aligns design intent, materiality, and performance. Creativity Begins. Sto Finishes.
Regional Project Showcase
NORTH
Private Residence
Distributor Location: FBM Livonia, MI
Distributor Rep: Grant Jebbia
Sto FSM: Jer Walker
Sto CDM: Ray Redmond
System/Product: StoTherm® ci with StoSignature® Stone 10
A private residence was designed with a sleek, contemporary exterior using StoTherm® ci to deliver high performance while remaining within an EIFS price point. Finished with StoSignature® Stone 10, the facade achieved the refined, modern aesthetic the developer desired, offering a cost-effective alternative to higher-priced cladding options like Stolit® Milano. The result is a clean, elevated exterior that balances design intent, durability, and budget efficiency.
MIDWEST
Vienna Zero Energy
Distributor Location: CBSI – VA
Distributor Rep: Will Jenkins
Sto FSM: Kevin McKean
Sto CDM: Dan Canova
System/product used: StoTherm® ci
The Vienna Zero Energy project is a high-performance residential home designed to meet the rigorous standards of Phius ZERO 2021 Design Certification, placing it among the most energy-efficient homes in the country. StoTherm® ci played a key role in the enclosure strategy, providing continuous exterior insulation along with robust air and moisture control to support long-term durability and comfort. Combined with high-performance windows, an all-electric mechanical system, and on-site solar generation, the project demonstrates how thoughtful envelope design and StoTherm® ci can deliver net-zero performance through a resilient, healthy, and efficient building solution.
SOUTH
FIU Trish and Dan Bell Chapel | Miami, FL
Distributor: Foundation Building Materials
Distributor Rep: Rene Polanco
Sto FSM: Jason Rivera
System/Product Used: StoPowerwall® ExtraSeal® with StoCast Wood
The FIU Trish and Dan Bell Chapel is a non-denominational house of worship serving the Florida International University campus, designed to balance architectural intent with budget considerations. After early design development, Sto Corp. worked with the project team to introduce StoCast Wood used in conjunction with StoPowerwall® Extraseal®, offering the flexibility and refined wood aesthetic needed to complement the chapel’s distinctive form. StoCast Wood delivered the desired visual impact and seamless transitions, helping the project achieve its architectural vision while maintaining cost efficiency.
WEST
South Pier
Distributor Location: Tempe, Arizona
Distributor: FBM Phoenix
Sto Sales Representative: David Anguis
Panel Affiliate: MKB
South Pier is a landmark $1.8 billion mixed-use development in Tempe, Arizona, comprised of three 25-story towers that redefine the city’s urban skyline. Approved by the City of Tempe more than five years ago, this large-scale project had been closely tracked as it progressed toward execution.
Sto products played a key role in supporting an accelerated construction schedule, with fast-setting materials helping reduce curing time and keep the project moving efficiently. Despite the challenges associated with field-applied finishes from swing stages, the project team worked collaboratively to address issues quickly and maintain momentum.
Through strong coordination between ownership, the panel affiliate, distributor, and Sto, the project was completed ahead of schedule, a testament to aligned expectations, quality materials, and seamless collaboration across all teams.
Faces of Sto
Derek Freeman
Warehouse Supervisor | Atlanta / A.I.P. Warehouse 10 Years with Sto
tfreeman@stocorp.com
678-928-3549
Derek Freeman oversees daily warehouse operations for StoVentec, StoCast Brick and Sto’s core products at the Atlanta A.I.P. facility, ensuring products move efficiently from production to shipment. What he finds most rewarding is working alongside his team to consistently meet demanding shipping schedules and deliver for customers when it matters most.
One of Derek’s proudest moments was leading Project Base Camp, the successful relocation to Sto’s new A.I.P. facility during Q4 2025. The move required extensive planning, teamwork, and coordination to transition finished goods and production lines without disrupting service. Day to day, Derek helps solve one of the most critical challenges customers face—making sure orders arrive on time, accurate, and damage free.
In Derek’s experience, what sets Sto apart is the culture. Known internally as “Sto Nice,” he values how leadership and teams across operations, sales, and marketing take the time to share knowledge and support one another. He works closely with the Sto Account Management Specialist (AMS) team to coordinate deliveries and keep projects moving smoothly.
Outside of work, Derek brings the same passion and pride to music production, having collaborated musically with several Grammy Award–winning artists and producers. When he’s not in the studio, he enjoys spending time with his family and continuing to explore music both inside and outside the studio.
Proven in the Field
Younes Campus
Location: Kearney, Nebraska
Distributor: DSI
Installer: Midwest Partition
Sto FSM: Jeff Sykes
Sto CDM: Ray Redmond
Description: The Younes Campus in Kearney, Nebraska is a multi-phase hospitality development where Sto façade systems supported consistent design, performance, and long-term expansion across the site.
Construction Type: Hospitality
Completed: 2026
Project Overview
The Younes Campus is one of the Midwest’s most prominent hospitality and convention destinations, developed by Younes Hospitality Group in Kearney, Nebraska. Built over a five-year period, the campus includes a wide range of properties such as the Crowne Plaza and Convention Center, Tru and Home2 by Hilton, Hampton Inn, Younes Landing, and Drop Zone, with an Avid Hotel planned to begin construction in 2026. The development serves large regional events while continuing to expand its footprint within the community.
The Challenge
With multiple building types and varying architectural and cladding requirements across the campus, maintaining consistent workmanship, material performance, and coordination posed a significant challenge. Finding a manufacturer capable of supporting diverse facade needs, while also fostering long-term, reliable working relationships, was critical to the success of the multi-phase development.
Sto’s Solution
Sto provided a comprehensive portfolio of facade solutions capable of supporting the campus’s diverse structures and design requirements. By working closely with DSI and Midwest Partition, Sto systems were consistently implemented across all projects throughout the five-year buildout. This approach simplified coordination, supported schedule efficiency, and ensured uniform quality across each phase of development.
The Result
The Younes Campus was successfully executed with consistent results across multiple projects and building types. Strong collaboration between the owner, installer, distributor, and Sto helped establish a long-term partnership that continues to support future expansion. The completed campus delivers a cohesive aesthetic, reliable performance, and a foundation for continued growth within the Kearney community.
On the Horizon
EIFS Industry Members Association (EIMA) Awards
Sto recently submitted 17 projects for consideration in the EIFS Industry Members Association (EIMA) Awards, recognizing excellence in EIFS design, performance, and craftsmanship. These submissions highlight the strong collaboration between Sto, our distributor partners, and applicators across the country. Award winners will be announced at the EIMA Awards Ceremony on March 26, 2026.
For feedback and suggestions related to this newsletter, please reach out to your local Sto sales representative or email us at info@stocorp.com—we’re happy to hear from you!
