Volume 35, Number 6, June 2000
People
appointments
Vistawall Adds Architectural
Manager Position
Michael Gorman has joined the Vistawall Group, based in Terrell, Texas, as an architectural manager for the northeastern region. In this position, he will work with Vistawall, Naturalite, Skywall and Moduline representatives to increase product exposure and awareness to architects in his region. Gorman has more than 30 years of industry experience, most recently with Interpane Glass Company.
Wausau Adds Manufacturer’s Rep to Mid-Atlantic Area
Wausau Window and Wall Systems has named Mark Gedney as a new manufacturer’s representative for the Dela-ware, Maryland, Wash-ington D.C. and Northern Virginia area. Ged-ney has previous experience with Material Distributors of Pennsylvania and with EFCO Corporation.
Ken Carpenter, Wausau’s regional sales manager for the area says, “We are eager to make an even greater impact on the architectural community, while building relationships with the subcontractors.”
Stempel Joins
Southwall’s Board
Southwall Technologies Inc. of Palo Alto, Calif., announced that Robert C. Stempel has accepted the nomination to join the company’s board of directors. Stempel was chairman and chief executive officer of General Motors from 1990 through 1992. He is currently chairman of Energy Conversion Devices in Troy, Mich.
“Bob Stempel is a terrific addition to Southwall’s board,” said Thomas
Hood, chief executive officer. “His insight, market experience, and worldwide network
of industry contacts will be invaluable as we continue to penetrate the large global
market
for high-performance, heat-reflecting automotive safety glass.”
Crystal Window Names
New Vice President
Crystal Window & Door Systems Ltd. appointed Doug Durmont to the newly-created position of vice president of national sales. Formerly sales manager/eastern region for Mitten Vinyl Inc., Durmont will have the responsibility of expanding Crystal’s sales and distributions throughout the country.
promotions
New Mechanical Manager Promoted at Granco Clark
Kurt Lipka has recently been promoted as Granco Clark’s new mechanical engineer. In this position, Lipka will provide support to the engineering manager and department. Accord-ing to Granco Clark, his support will increase efficiency in engineering schedule updates, project budget adjustments and sales plan layout turnaround.
He has served the company for 13 years and previously held the position of mechanical project manager.
Flynn Takes Over Midwest Regional
General Manager Position at Harmon
Dennis Flynn has been named to the position of Midwest regional general manager for Minneapolis-based Harmon Inc. Duties of this position include assisting with Midwest business development and expansion.
Flynn has been with Harmon since 1974 when he started as a project manager. Since then, he has served as vice president of operations for the company’s contract division and most recently as president of Norment Industries in Montgomery, Ala.
Shon Takes on Dual Responsibilities—VP
and General Manager
Hy-Lite® Products of Beaumont, Calif., has appointed Michael D. Shon to the positions of vice president and general manager. While Shon has been the company’s general manager since 1998, he is now responsible for overseeing both the company’s daily operations as well as the positioning of Hy-Lite products for future growth.
“We’re extremely pleased with the talent, skills and vision Mike brings to our organization,” says Charlene (Charlie) W. Crooks, president of Hy-Lite Products. “Mike will continue to oversee the operations of both Beaumont, Calif., and Eatmon, Ga. manufacturing facilities. In addition, he will be involved in more strategic advances for Hy-Lite in his new role.”
A Minute With ... Lee Scornaienchi Northeast Glass Company
The growth of Northeast Glass Company in Philadelphia is not unlike other locally-owned glass shops. While many of Northeast Glass’ customers may remember a scoring strike or two when the building was a bowling alley, Lee Scornaienchi, shop owner, has also marked a strike or two on his score card as the business has successfully grown throughout the years.
Why did you decide to go into the glass business?
A. I’ve been in the glass business since my first year of high school. A friend of mine got me involved in it and I liked it. I’ve been in it ever since.
Q. What sort of projects does your glass shop primarily do?
A. We do a lot of interior work, like glass blocks. They are great because there are so many styles and colors to choose from. But we pretty much do it all here.
Q. What sort of jobs do you enjoy the most?
A. Probably glass blocks and residential work. I like those jobs because they are more one on one. You are dealing with one person, and you don’t have all the others, like architects and designers, to deal with as in commercial projects.
Q. What is the industry’s market like in your area?
A. Business is usually always good. We have our highs and lows and holidays are always busy.
Q. How do you keep your business competitive?
A. In this area, we don’t really have much competition. There is one other shop around the corner, but they primarily do auto glass. Most of the shops around here went out of business. We are happy just relying on the small jobs to stay busy. The big guys go after the bigger jobs, but I don’t even want to compete for those.
Q. Why did you decide to open the second shop?
A. About three or four years ago someone I knew owned the sheet metal shop and decided he wanted to give it up and he offered it to me. It has been very profitable for us.
Q. How does owning a sheet metal company affect your work with the glass company?
A. It really doesn’t. I have both businesses in the same shop and it actually helps us. A roofer who needs the sheet metal may also need glass for a skylight and can get both from us. Having everything in one shop really just brings more people in the front door.
HAVE YOUR MINUTE
“A Minute With” appears monthly. If you would like to be the focus of “A Minute With…” or would like to recommend someone, e-mail us at minute@glass.com.
USG
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