NewMakers, USGlass, February 2010

Volume 45, Issue 2 - February 2010

NewMakers

obituaries
Viracon Sales Representative Robert (Mitch) McQueen Dies
Robert Mitchell (Mitch) McQueen, an architectural sales representative with Owatonna, Minn.-based Viracon, passed away from a heart attack on January 25 at the age of 47. McQueen worked closely with Viracon clients throughout the Southeastern United States.

“Mitch worked in the glass industry for many years, and he was an important part of our team. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends during this difficult time,” says Garret Henson, director of sales at Viracon.

McQueen is survived by his son Dylan, parents Pete and Gwen McQueen, brother Greg, and nieces Amanda and Rachel.

new hires
EFCO Welcomes New Director of Storefront and Sales Agency
EFCO in Monett, Mo., has announced the hire of James Bateman as director of storefront. Bateman brings with him 25 years of experience in all aspects of storefront sales, product development and operations to this new position. He will be responsible for EFCO’s storefront business including its service center operations.

EFCO also has added a new sales agency for Florida in Fenestration Specialties LLC. Harry Argyros is the president of Fenestration Specialties. Argyros has several years of industry experience and his agency will represent EFCO in Central, North and South Florida including the Orlando, Jacksonville and Ft. Lauderdale/Miami markets.

Tubelite Hires Sales, Engineer Managers
Tubelite Inc. in Walker, Mich., has hired Mike Nicklas as a national sales manager. Nicklas will work in close collaboration with the company’s client development managers, marketing, marketing manager at J.E. Berkowitz L.P.

In addition, Tubelite has hired Steve Wilkening as an engineering manager helping to expand the company’s architectural aluminum products nationwide. He draws from a 25-year career in engineering fenestration, entrances and related building products, most recently as the vice president of engineering for Caldwell Manufacturing.

Schmidt to Represent Erdman’s IG Machines
Erdman Automation in Princeton, Minn., has named Michael Schmidt as its new IG machine sales specialist. In his new role, Schmidt will focus on expanding the company’s IG equipment offerings for commercial and residential applications.

In addition to managing a glass fabricating facility for several years, Schmidt also previously spent several years applying process solutions and equipment sales for Lisec America Inc.

Texas Tempered Glass Has a New VP of Operations
Texas Tempered Glass Inc. (TTG) in Houston has hired Bob Larson as its vice president of operations. Larson brings 26 years of experience in glass fabrication to TTG. He joins the company after 19 years at Craftsman Fabricated Glass Ltd. where he served as vice president of sales and marketing.
client services and engineering staff. Before joining Tubelite, Nicklas served as the architectural sales and

promotions
C.R. Laurence Promotes Lara
Los Angeles-based C.R. Laurence Co. Inc. (CRL) has promoted Dora Lara to the position of Spanish business manager. As such, she will spearhead efforts to translate the company’s website and computer files, as well as other materials, to Spanish.
Lara has worked for more than three years as a trainer/translator in the company’s human resources department, where she translated the company’s marketing media into Spanish. She also supported the company’s overall training program.