There’s no blog next week- so consider this one a double edition! Leading off with a new episode of the From the Fabricator podcast! This time around is a fascinating one, featuring leaders in two areas that are part of our daily lives. First up was Tara Cristel of Total Glass and The Subcontractor Project. You may have seen Tara on social media (absolutely connect with her on LinkedIn) talking about the grind/battles subcontractors go through to get paid. It’s a wonderful talk with an extremely impressive person. Tara got into our industry, was tossed into the deep end, learned some lessons and NOW is working hard to share with as many people as she can. So if you’re chasing money, dealing with retainage, etc., you will want to listen to this and also get Tara’s new book “The Subcontractor Trap” – see THIS LINK for more. Then I got to another unique talent and author- Nasheer Mohammad. Nasheer works for Sisecam, but what caught my eye was a book he wrote called “The Silent Saboteur.” This was an extremely helpful read, with Nasheer’s journey through many challenges, including brain fog, leading up to sharing the lessons he learned to overcome it all and become a better version of himself. Mental health folks. Means so much, and Nasheer gets it. Thanks for checking this out- one way or another, you’re going to pick up a nugget or two!
AUDIO (Search From the Fabricator on Apple or Spotify)
Thank you to the fantastic team at FHC-Frameless Hardware Company for supporting this episode!
Elsewhere….
-- This week I was at the AGMCC annual meeting, and it was a tremendous experience. A room filled with people who are determined to do the right things for our industry. And a room filled with very smart people too! Here’s the thing- those who know me know that certification is something I am completely in favor of and something I will continue to push. We need it, folks. It makes us better at every turn. Going to a meeting like this and seeing how this process comes together and the approach that is taken just makes me more determined to push the certification issue. I am grateful to all involved!
As for the meeting and the people I got to see —kudos to Scott Kennett, Terry Schaefer, and the team at AMS for a first-class event. Matt Fox of IUPAT is the current chair of the board there, and his immense pride in all he does is impressive. It was great to visit with a few of his cohorts. Loved seeing Steve Metzger and, of course, Pat O’Connor. Plus, meeting Matt Dietrich was an added bonus. I got to hang out with Bruce Murray of Façade Encounters. He may be the easiest person to talk to in our space. So cool. You know I tend to give nicknames/monikers to people in our space (ie: the Gold Standard, The Nicest Guy in the Industry, etc.) and I have a new one. Brian Risinger of Country Glass gets the tag, Captain America. Dude is everywhere doing everything to support and protect our industry. Very appreciated! I got to actually talk in detail with Ahlam Al-Qudah Qaimari and that was so enjoyable. Much more to go there! Seth Madole of Viracon was there and it’s always a pleasure to chat with him. Past Glass Industry MVP Bill Sullivan is BACK! He joined the board of AGMCC and that is huge. His experience will be so beneficial to the organization and of course the industry. Super to visit with Pat McIntyre of Synergy Glass and Door. I’m loving all he’s accomplished and I see that trend continuing to go upward. Of course, one of the main highlights for me was seeing Andrew Haring. At an event like this, I can actually get to chat with him and watch him in action. Aside from his otherworldly creativity, his technical chops are strong, and his drive to keep pushing this industry forward is unbelievable and appreciated.
Before I move on, I was excited to expand my network & and also get great ideas for future podcast guests! Shannon Crawford of AGA is talented as heck and very cool too. His focus on safety and quality is something else. Plus, being from Australia, he brings a great accent to the game too. Poor guy, though, deserves a medal after being stuck with me in an Uber to the airport. Greg Lyon of Lockheed Architectural Solutions brings an energy to the space that I am envious of- it was enjoyable to learn more about all the good work he and the team at Lockheed are doing. And last, it was wonderful to hear a presentation and then meet Amanda Dainis of Dainis and Company. I love when someone who isn't from our industry goes full throttle into learning it, and she does. And I think now she’s an expert in nickel sulfide too! Great event and I look forward to more in the future!
-- Congrats to old friend Sterling Guyette on his new gig at Tristar Glass. Sterling brings the A game all the time and I’m happy for him in taking a new step with a great organization.
-- Folks- let’s jump on this one for the good of our space. Ted Baumgardner of Guthrie AI was nominated for the 2026 Technical.ly Philadelphia Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year! Go to THIS LINK, select Philadelphia to vote! If we can get Ted to win, the positive industry pub will be something to yell from the mountaintops about! Plus, for what he’s done? He deserves it! At least in my opinion.
-- Registration for the NGA Glass Conference is now open. GO HERE to register, and if you care about codes, standards, technical details, etc., this is absolutely worth your time. Plus, that gathering always attracts the best of the best – so why not want to be among them!
-- As noted above- no blog next week- so this is the time for me to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving (in the US). This, of course, is my favorite holiday! Family, Food, Football- can’t beat it. Times are a challenge these days, but we all have a ton to be thankful for, and let’s not forget that. Hope everyone enjoys the holiday, and I’ll see you again the week of 11/29 as we come down the final stretch of 2026!
LINKS of the WEEK
Here’s another headline that you rarely see: ‘Princess pig.’ Well-groomed, chubby porker found wandering SoCal streets” https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-11-10/la-me-pig-on-the-loose-pomona
Staying in So Cal- a plane is evacuated because of a video game! https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/plane-evacuated-at-california-airport-after-call-of-duty-gameplay-is-mistaken-for-bomb-threat-police-say/
A vibrating mattress. Could this be the key to helping the fight against Alzheimer’s?https://www.reddit.com/r/Biohackers/comments/1xnemk9/vibrating_mattress_helps_clear_alzheimers_protein/
PROJECT of the WEEK
Apax Glass in Cleveland, Oklahoma gets recognition this week for this beauty—the Pryor Development Center & Head Start Facility, Pryor, OK. From their post:
The project included more than 40 storefront and entry systems in dark bronze anodized aluminum, 1-inch insulated glass units and 1/4-inch tempered glazing, wide-style doors with 10-inch bottom rails for accessibility and durability, and transom-framed systems up to 8 feet high. Every unit was custom-fit to its own opening and coordinated with the architect on hardware to meet ADA and safety code requirements.
Nice work team! And kudos to everyone else who may have collaborated on this gig. Keep that all rolling!!
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