In an effort to spotlight the people who make the Glass Magazine Award-winning products and projects possible,this year's program included people-centric categories,for which the industry submitted their picks for best installer,production supervisor,project manager and sales rep.
After narrowing down the nominations to three finalists in each category,the Glass Magazine editors asked the industry to decide the winners.The response was overwhelming,with thousands of people voting in this first ever awards program.Many voted directly on GlassMagazine.com,but just as many voted via the special Thursday e-glass weekly July editions.
The winners are revealed below.Click through to get to know them better personally and professionally.Congratulations go to the winners—and the finalists—in each category.And,a special thank you goes to everyone who participated in this program,from the people who submitted nominations to those who cast their vote.The Glass Magazine Awards will return in 2013,so get your nominations ready!
Best installer
Richard Poirier,lead foreman,Alumiglass LLC
For Richard Poirier,the glazing business is the family business."My father was a glazier,and he taught me the trade,"he says.Poirier started his career in 1983,joining Alumiglass in 1989 as a glazier before quickly advancing to foreman
Best production supervisor
Waylon McCall,branch manager,Aldora Architectural Aluminum and Glass Products
Waylon McCall's stepping stone into the glass industry:the financial business."I got bored being a financial analyst,"he says."A friend asked if I wanted to help turn a glass plant around,and I said yes.I'm always looking for a new challenge."
Best project manager
John McGee,manager of safety&training,Binswanger Glass
McGee's career in the glass industry began in high school,when he became involved in a vocational education program."I attended classes for half the day and worked the other half,"he says."The job I found was as a helper in a glass shop.I liked the challenge of performing a variety of tasks with very little repetition."
Best sales rep
Bryan Abrisz,president,The Snead Co.
Bryan Abrisz'career in the glass industry began in 1989,when he was hired to work in manufacturing at EFCO Corp."Because EFCO understood the importance of promoting from within,I was able to apply for a job in estimating,and was hired on as a curtain-wall and storefront estimator,"he says."This position offered me the opportunity to learn about products and how they were utilized in the industry."
