People - Feb 2001

Volume 36, Volume 2, February 2001

associations
DGDA Announces New Officers
The Detroit Glass Dealers Association (DGDA) recently elected its new board for 2001. Sam Harris was elected to serve as the president and Rick Martin will serve as first vice president. Jerry Minder will remain on as the DGDA second vice president and Shawn Levine joins as the newest board member.

retirements
ACI Distribution West VP and General Manager Retires
George Marshall, vice president and general manager of VVP America’s Inc.’s ACI Distribution West Division, based in Placentia, Calif., recently announced his retirement after 23 years in the industry. Marshall began his career in the glass business with California Glass, which was acquired in 1982 by Australian Consolidated Industries (ACI).

In 1987, Marshall was promoted to the top managerial position at ACI Distribution West, and under his leadership the division has become the largest full-line distributor of glass in the western United States, the company says.

“Over the years, George Marshall has made many valuable contributions to our company, especially in implementing expansion plans and in developing new technologies that have enabled us to better serve our customers,” said Mark Burke president and chief executive officer of VVP America Inc.

“He is highly respected in the glass industry for his innovative ideas and creative thinking. We will miss George’s leadership and experience, but we wish him well at this exciting time in his life.”

appointments
Arch Aluminum Names New Chief Operating Officer
Tony Clark has been named the new chief operating officer for Arch Aluminum & Glass Co. “Tony brings years of high-level experience to our company and will be involved in all aspects of our operations as we continue to improve our facilities and expand into new markets,” said Leon Silverstein.

Prior to this position, Clark served as vice president, marketing and sales for 12 years at Pilkington where he was responsible for planning and directing all marketing and sales activities for North American and International export markets. Prior to his tenure with Pilkington, he worked for ten years for PPG Industries in a number of sales and marketing positions.

Clark holds a bachelor of science from Indiana University and a master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

After 36 years in the glass industry, Jim Collin, vice president of sales at AFG Industries, is retiring at age 61. Collin has been with AFG Industries for eight years, spending two years as vice president of marketing, then six years as vice president of sales. Prior to working with AFG, Collin spent 28 years with PPG.

A Minute With:
Jim Collin : AFG Industries

Q. Why did you choose now to consider retirement?
Because I could! I feel that people are considering retirement earlier in their lives these days while they still have their health. With careful planning it is possible to take advantage of the retirement years while I am still healthy. I feel that after 36 years, it is time.

Q. What are your retirement plans?
I may teach. I am unsure as to what exactly I’ll do in the future, but I plan on taking time off first. During my first year of retirement, my wife and I will travel extensively. We have planned a trip for Ireland. I think the adjustment will be more difficult for my wife—some friends have told me that retirement is twice as much husband and half as much money!

Q. What do you think your biggest accomplishment at AFG has been?
There are two things: we have had record sales every year for the past six years, increasing the volume up to record levels. Also, we have pushed the product to a more profitable mix, adding more value to the line, which continues to progress.

Q. Having traveled a lot with trade shows what are some of your favorite places you’ve visited?
FGMA used to have a show out in Pebble Beach, Calif. That was always a nice place to visit. I also enjoyed Las Vegas, the Disney World for adults! Honestly, I have enjoyed all the shows. The places are always a pleasure to experience, but the purpose of the trips is to see the customers, the suppliers. These are the people who make up the glass community that has been such a large part of my life over the years.

Q. When you were a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
I wanted to own a grocery store. I guess I have always been interested in the sales business. I went to school for engineering and discovered that it was not for me. I then graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in marketing and have been very pleased in that line of business.