NewMakers

obituaries
EFCO Co-Founder Terry Fuldner Dies at Age 82
EFCO Corp. co-founder William Terry Fuldner passed away September 8, in Springfield, Mo., at the age of 82, after a brief illness.

“Terry Fuldner was a real innovator known for his longtime leadership in the industry as he guided EFCO through its tremendous growth from a startup to an influential industry leader,” says Mike Farquhar, EFCO president and chief operating officer. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Fuldner family as the EFCO team reflects on Terry’s tremendous impact on the commercial fenestration industry over his lifetime.”

George Eberle and Fuldner founded the company as EFCO Product Co. in 1951; it was incorporated as EFCO Corp. in 1953. Fuldner guided EFCO as president and chief executive officer (CEO) for many years, until he became the longtime chairperson of the board once he stepped back from day-to-day management of the privately-held company. Fuldner’s son Chris carried on the family’s legacy leading EFCO as CEO until he retired in 2007 and the company was acquired by Pella Corp.

“Dad was an industry pioneer who made a major difference in the industry, building EFCO’s business in the process. He was a character who loved life and will truly be missed by his friends and business associates,” Chris Fuldner says.

Terry Fuldner spearheaded EFCO’s longtime leadership in the American Architectural Manufacturers Association, which his son Chris went on to chair from 2003-2005. Fuldner was inducted into the USGlass magazine Glass & Metal Hall of Fame in 1997.

Industry Mourns the Passing of Bill Knutsen
William C. “Bill” Knutsen, who retired from Viracon in 2003, passed away on September 2. He was 71.
Knutsen spent 23 years with Viracon, retiring in 2003 as facilities manager. While with the company, other responsibilities encompassed materials management, production and engineering management, product development and included three and-a-half years as general manager of the company’s Tru-Vue facility in Chicago. Silk screening and roller coating were introduced at Viracon under his direction.

He served three terms as the president of the Glass Association of North America (GANA) and had been very involved with the Flat Glass Manufacturers Association before it became part of GANA. Knutsen also received a Humanitarian Award from Apogee Enterprises, Viracon’s parent company.

Knutsen is survived by his wife Annette; sons Todd (wife Laura), Jay and daughter Shelley (husband Mike) Devine; grandchildren Katie, Clint, Rachel, Kurt, Allie, Clare, Ted, Jordan, Steve, Taylor and great grandchild, Cora.

births
GANA Account Exec Welcomes New Arrival
Ashley Charest, account executive for the Glass Association of North America (GANA), and husband Aaron, welcomed the birth of their second daughter, Alexandria Murano, on September 7.

With brown hair and brown eyes, Alexandria weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces and measured 20 inches long.
The Charests’ have one other daughter, Ainsley, who is 5.

resignations
Victoria M. Holt Resigns from PPG
Victoria M. Holt, who served as senior vice president, glass and fiber glass for PPG Industries, has resigned from the company, effective immediately, and has been appointed president and chief executive for St. Louis-based Spartech Corp., a producer of plastic sheet, compounds and packaging products. Holt’s direct reports at PPG will now report to J. Rich Alexander, PPG executive vice president, performance coatings, on an interim basis.

Holt joined PPG in 2003 as vice president, fiber glass. Prior to joining PPG, she served as president and general manager of Solutia Inc.’s performance films division.

According to a September 30, 2007, article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Holt was the highest ranking female executive at PPG Industries.

new hires
U.S. Aluminum Appoints Tom Harris Executive VP
Tom Harris has been appointed as the new executive vice president of U.S. Aluminum in Waxahachie, Texas.
Harris was previously with Oldcastle Glass Engineered Products (now Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope™), and was president of The Vistawall Group prior to its acquisition by Oldcastle. He has more than 34 years of experience in the glass and metal industry.

Vitro America Makes New Hires
Memphis-based Vitro America has announced a number of new appointments.

Max Perilstein has joined the company to lead its marketing efforts as chief marketing officer for all Vitro America divisions. Prior to this appointment, Perilstein had worked for Arch Aluminum & Glass Co. Inc. since 2002. He was hired there as director of marketing and later promoted to vice president of marketing. Before that he was with PDC Glass of Michigan, part of the United Glass Corp. group of companies.

In addition, Vitro America has hired Bob Larson, previously with Texas Tempered Glass, to serve as assistant branch manager for its Houston facility. Larson had also worked for Craftsman Fabricated Glass prior to joining Texas Tempered.

Van Meerbeeck Joins IGE as President and COO
IGE Solutions Inc. in Jupiter, Fla., and its owners, Carolyn and Michael Spellman, announced the addition of Jack Van Meerbeeck as the company’s new president and chief operating officer. Van Meerbeeck brings more than 16 years of experience in the glass fabricating industry to the IGE Solutions family. He has previously served as president of Z. Bavelloni USA Inc. and more recently as vice president of sales and service North America for Glaston Group.

Michael Spellman will remain as IGE’s chair and chief executive officer. “Knowing Jack for more than 15 years, we are thrilled to have him lead our team to the next level,” he says.

Diana Bernal Joins Key Glass
Diana Bernal has joined Key Glass and will lead its marketing and business development efforts.

Prior to joining the commercial glazing contractor in Bradenton, Fla., Bernal was a communication specialist for Captivation Media Group. She earned a degree in interpersonal communication from University of Central Florida.

Steven Perilstein Joins GGI
General Glass International (GGI) in Secaucus, N.J., announced that Steve Perilstein has joined the company as its new national sales manager. According to the announcement, Perilstein will play an important role in the development of the company’s full-service fabrication division and will aid in strengthening relationships between GGI, glazing contractors and other fabricators.

Formerly vice president of sales with Arch Aluminum & Glass and president/chief executive officer of PDC Glass, Perilstein brings many years of national leadership experience.

Niklas Returns to JEB
Mike Nicklas has returned to J.E. Berkowitz L.P. (JEB) in Pedricktown, N.J. He re-joined the company on August 30, and is serving as the company’s new business development manager.

Last fall, Nicklas had left JEB to serve as national sales manager for Tubelite Inc. Prior to that he had been JEB’s architectural sales and marketing manager.

Michael Augustine Named Tubelite’s Indiana Rep
Tubelite Inc. in Walker, Mich., has added Michael Augustine as its manufacturer’s representative providing storefront, curtainwall, entrance and daylight control systems to commercial building teams throughout Indiana.

Augustine draws from 14 years of experience partnering with architects, contractors, building owners and consultants in the central states.

Glass Guru Hires Two New Employees
The Glass Guru announced it has made two additions to its executive management team. Glen E. Greenfelder, Jr. was named director of franchise sales and Derek Pearson was appointed to the newly created position of director of franchise development.

Greenfelder is a 14-year veteran in business consulting with a focus on sales and marketing. Pearson has ten years of experience in all aspects of business development in large corporations operating internationally, as well as growth companies.

Morse Industries Announces New Hires, Promotion
Morse Industries in Kent, Wash., recently announced two new employees as well as one promotion. Tracy Tughan has joined the company as purchasing manager. She will be responsible for purchasing functions including logistics, vendor relations and product development.

Jonathan Henning has joined the company’s inside sales team as inside sales specialist. Henning was previously with T-Scan LLC.

In addition, Jeremy Nolan was recently promoted to inside sales manager. Nolan started with Morse Industries four years ago as an inside sales specialist.

Joseph Machine Appoints Sales and Marketing Director
Joseph Machine Co. in Dilsburg, Pa., has appointed Rick Wilson to the position of director of sales and marketing. Wilson has more than 25 years in a variety of manufacturing industries, mostly in the fenestration industry where he focused on sales and sales management roles. His new duties include directing all machinery sales and marketing efforts for the company.

USG
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