US Glass - April 2008 - USGlass Magazine
US Glass - April 2008 - USGlass Magazine
US Glass - April 2008 - USGlass Magazine
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NewsMakers<br />
continued<br />
glasstec®<br />
innovative<br />
International Trade Fair<br />
Düsseldorf, Germany<br />
October 21– 25, <strong>2008</strong><br />
Photovoltaics, solar heating,<br />
intelligent and integrated<br />
glass façade systems.<br />
Over 1,300 exhibitors from<br />
more than 46 countries, an<br />
ancillary program with expert<br />
symposia and the “glass technology<br />
live” special show will<br />
give more than just a glimpse<br />
into the future:<br />
Innovative solutions, the latest<br />
processes, trend-setting technologies<br />
– new possibilities.<br />
Secure your access into the<br />
future of glass.<br />
DISCOVER<br />
THE WORLD<br />
OF GLASS<br />
www.glasstec.de<br />
Order your glasstec <strong>2008</strong> entrance passes and show directories in advance of the show!<br />
For show information:<br />
Messe Düsseldorf<br />
North America<br />
150 North Michigan Avenue<br />
Suite 2920<br />
Chicago, IL 60601<br />
Tel. (312) 781-5180<br />
Fax (312) 781-5188<br />
E-mail: info@mdna.com<br />
http://www.mdna.com<br />
For hotel and travel<br />
arrangements:<br />
TTI Travel, Inc.<br />
Tel. (866) 674-3476<br />
Fax (212) 674-3477<br />
Official Airline<br />
AMinuteWith...<br />
Brad Austin<br />
GANA’s <strong>2008</strong> President<br />
During the <strong>Glass</strong> Association of North<br />
America’s (GANA) annual <strong>Glass</strong><br />
Week (see related story, page 44), Brad Austin, senior<br />
vice president of sales and marketing of Viracon in Owatonna,<br />
Minn.,took the reins as president of the association.<br />
Austin is celebrating 30 years in the glass industry,<br />
and has been attending <strong>Glass</strong> Week for more than 20 of<br />
them. For the last five years he has been a board member,<br />
but Austin admits that there is new territory to explore<br />
in the year ahead.<br />
Q. Are there any particular projects you are looking forward<br />
to in the year ahead?<br />
A. The one I’ve been most involved in is helping to put in<br />
place strategies and strategic plans that will carry GANA forward<br />
for the next number of years, that provides the most<br />
value to our members and expands the GANA organization.<br />
Q. Did you receive any words of advice from outgoing<br />
president Andy Gum?<br />
A. He wished me all the best! I’ve had the good fortune<br />
of Andy and, prior to Andy, Julie Schimmelpenningh, providing<br />
me their guidance during my time on the board.<br />
More importantly, I have the utmost respect for their continued<br />
service to GANA. I believe Andy has served GANA<br />
for 11 years in different leadership roles and Julie has<br />
served for 12 years in different leadership roles. It’s pretty<br />
humbling when you stop and think, ‘There have been so<br />
many great people that have come before me that have<br />
given their time and talents on a purely volunteer basis.’<br />
Q. Do you find it challenging to balance your work for<br />
GANA with your duties at Viracon?<br />
A. I could not take on this volunteering role without the<br />
support of Viracon or our parent company Apogee Enterprises.<br />
They’ve been very supportive of my involvement<br />
with GANA over the years and<br />
encouraged me to be a part of the<br />
leadership going back five years.<br />
Viracon has a very long history<br />
of people participating in volunteer<br />
roles for the industry. … I<br />
think the other GANA member<br />
companies have done the same<br />
and that’s really what makes this<br />
association so successful and I<br />
hope it continues on. ■<br />
60 <strong>US</strong><strong>Glass</strong>, Metal & Glazing | <strong>April</strong> <strong>2008</strong> www.usglassmag.com
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