APPOINTMENTS
Steve Chen to Head Crystal Windows 
Crystal Window & Door Systems of Flushing, N.Y., recently named Steve Chen, son of company founder Thomas Chen, as executive vice president over company operations. The title represents a significant promotion for Chen, and the transition from the company’s founder to the next family generation. 

As executive vice president, Chen will direct the integration of the sales and marketing strategy with production and customer service for the parent company and its domestic fenestration subsidiaries. Thomas Chen, will focus on business development opportunities overseas, direct Crystal’s international subsidiaries and explore a wide range of innovative building products.

To assist specifically with its transition, the company engaged David Ewing, a manufacturing industry executive with experience in the building products industry, at the chief executive officer level. Ewing was previously with Four Seasons Sunrooms, Rockwell International and other industry companies.

PPG Names New Architectural Manager 
PPG Industries of Pittsburgh, has appointed Mary Hosley to serve as architectural manager for its construction market team in New York City.

In this newly-created position, Hosley will assist in the specification and sourcing of PPG architectural glass, high-performance coatings and paint for large architectural firms, while identifying early-stage bid and construction projects and managing other related sales opportunities.

Hosley joins the company with 33 years of experience in direct sales, store management and architectural business development. She also currently serves as president of the Metropolitan New York chapter of the Construction Specifications Institute.

New President Announced for Messe Düsseldorf North America
Thomas Mitchell has been named the new president of Messe Düsseldorf North America (MDNA), the U.S. subsidiary of Messe Düsseldorf in Germany. Mitchell succeeds Frank Thorwirth who is pursuing other career opportunities in Germany. Eva Rowe has been named vice president of MDNA.

Mitchell started his career at the company in 1993 in sales and promotion. He later moved into a marketing and development positions and then became the regional director at the company’s office in Manhattan. 

Mitchell holds a bachelor degree from Michigan State University.

NEW HIRES
Arch Hires Tim Moore as Tech Services Manager
Arch Aluminum and Glass Co. Inc. has named Timothy J. Moore as its new technical services manager. Moore has been in and around the industry for a quarter century working in various glass-related capacities.

“Tim is an extremely talented individual and his technical knowledge is top notch, we are thrilled to have him join the team,” said Max Perilstein, vice president of marketing. 

Moore is also currently the technical chairperson for the Glass Association of North America’s (GANA) insulating division and has been involved in several industry standards organizations. 

retirements, new hires
Bernard Harris Retires from C.R. Laurence Co. Inc.
Bernard Harris, the patriarch of the Los Angeles-based C.R. Laurence Co. has retired at the age of 87. 

“Mr. Harris has been both a friend and a mentor to me, and for 40 years we were partners. Together we built a business. It was Mr. Harris who really pushed this company in the right direction, made it grow rapidly and understood the true meaning of ‘customer service.’ I am proud of the impressive growth we’ve achieved working together,” said president and chief executive officer, Donald E. Friese. “We will all miss him very much, and wish him good health and happiness in his well-deserved retirement. He will always be remembered by his employees as a fair and disciplined leader whose work ethic served as an inspiration to them.”

Just prior to retirement, Harris served as the manager of export sales. 

Additionally, the company has welcomed Linda Rogers to its technical sales team. In her position, Rogers will focus primarily on the company’s architectural glass hardware systems. 

She has more than 15 years of experience in the railing, partition post, sneeze guard and display fixture industries, and will use her experience to help designers, architects, installers and distributors in the restaurant, hospitality, hotel and display industries.

PROMOTIONS
Key Communications Inc. Promotes Two
Key Communications Inc., publishers of USGlass and other magazines, has named two new vice presidents of the company.
Holly Biller has been named vice president of information services. In her new position, Biller will be responsible for continued development of Key’s web presence, including USGNN.com and other marketing services.

Tara Taffera has been named vice president of editorial services. She will oversee the development of new editorial services and the expansion of current ones. She will also continue to serve in her role as publisher of Door & Window Manufacturer (DWM) magazine.

Biller has been with Key Communications for more than ten years. She has served in positions of increasing responsibility and has been instrumental in the development of Key’s online services among other things.

Taffera has been an employee for eight years. She has served as editor of Window Film magazine, AGRR magazine and USGlass. She has led the development and record growth of DWM magazine.

briefly....
Marsden Inc., manufacturer of Gas Infrared Drying Systems, has named Gerard J. Lucidi president and chief executive officer. Lucidi previously served as the firm’s general manager, a position he has held since 1998. The company’s founder, Thomas M. Smith assumes the position of chairperson ... John Hall, sales manager of the High Point, N.C.-based Glass Unlimited, has selected Larry Czapla’s Systems and Components Group as its sales representative in Michigan and Illinois. 

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