Triple Threat Pod

A jam-packed new episode of the “From the Fabricator” podcast is now ready for you.  It’s a rare “3 sets of guests” edition, and each one brings something cool to the table.  I start out with Scott Kennett of AMS/NACC/AGMT & Nicolas Esquivel of CDC, and we talk about certification/licensing and the role it’s playing now and, more importantly, in the future.  Then Pat O’Connor joins, and we talk about the upcoming Glass Symposium, which is a very cool and unique event.  Lastly, I end with Abbie Legara of Aluminum & Glazing Lines.  Just a very impressive person and operator, and it was great to dive into her business, AI, and being a woman-led company.  Really neat insights.  So please take a watch or listen!  I do appreciate it a ton, and each week I am humbled more and more by the numbers!

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AUDIO

Thank you to the fine folks at FHC- Frameless Hardware Company for their support of this episode!

Elsewhere…

-- The volatility of aluminum prices continues, and our industry got a long mention in a recent Wall Street Journal story.  The authors talked to the folks at Awake Window in Arizona, and it was a good piece on the challenges they and our industry face.  Check it out HERE. Also, when I had Troy Johnson of Apogee Architectural Metals on my podcast- he had an excellent explanation on the challenges that this market faces- if you missed it, you can find it on VIDEO or AUDIO or just look up “From the Fabricator” in your podcast app and scroll down to December of 2025 for Troy.

-- While we’re in this mode of market craziness, the latest Dodge Momentum Index was released. Basically, the data center boom is carrying the day, bringing the index up 2%.  The analysis noted that the pipeline is active, and most of us know the pipeline is active, but moving the jobs to the actual “start” has been the problem.  Meanwhile, I know I’ve hit this before here and in my various presentations- do not assume the data center package you see has no glass on it.  There are incredible data centers out there with stunning glass curtain walls, etc.

-- I’m a fan of Chesapeake Glazing.  Great company, and recently they picked up a very prestigious award. They were recognized as 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟓𝟐 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞 to receive the ABC National 2025 National Safety Excellence Award.  Huge. Think about how many contractors are out there… Super.   Safety matters, and these walk the walk there.  Plus, I love that they are NACC Certified- but even more so, how they did it and what they learned.  Great case study HERE on that journey.  Congrats to the team at Chesapeake!!

-- I teased a few weeks ago that things are going upside down over at CSI, and the adventure continues.  CSI/CIN wants your $$ for using something that's been around forever.  Or, as one person compared, it’s like being charged to use the Dewey Decimal System.  What am I saying?  CSI now has a for-profit side (CIN) that is planning on charging for using the typical specification classes- (Division 8- or 8800, etc.) in your brochures, bids, etc.   And those charges are not cheap, though supposedly manufacturers who DON’T “consult” won’t be charged...  Easier way to understand this and the rancor involved?  Read THIS post to learn more.  Interesting and surely more on this to come.

Last this week…  Have you registered for the Texas Glass Conference yet? I know there’s a segment of people who feel like they don’t need to attend, that they have everything under control.  And I am sure they do for the most part.  But I am reminded of an old commercial (and I am old- guessing many of you won’t know this one) from a brokerage firm named E F Hutton. The line was pretty big back in the day, “When EF Huton Talks People Listen,” and so when you have this event, and you have the great Urmilla Sowell talking about the latest codes… ones that can truly affect your business… it's not a good business call to miss it. When you have, as I just found out, Jeff Haber of W&W on a panel- yeah, time to register because Jeff (and I am confident the rest of the panel) will bring it to you straight and real. So, get that and more- with the best networking in Texas.  Check out the full schedule and sign up HERE.

LINKS of the WEEK

Crows attack Rapunzel at Disney in Tokyo.  Wild.  May have to have a conversation with Disney expert Zach Perilstein on this one. https://nypost.com/2026/04/02/lifestyle/crows-give-disneys-rapunzel-bot-an-impromptu-haircut/

I’m excited for the World Cup this summer.  But would I sell my house to go? Nope.  This guy is though (his 2nd house but still) https://apnews.com/article/england-fan-sell-house-world-cup-ac6b6f4597feda5c68487299dd544c62

What’s hot in the streets?  The Mac Mini and AI.  May have to look into this one. https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/10/tech/apple-mac-mini-ai-openclaw

 PROJECT of the WEEK

Let’s go to Iowa this week for the spotlight.  Saw this from George Davis, owner of G Davis & Associates, and this is the Health Sciences Academic Building at the University of Iowa.  The glass-and-panel mix really works, and it’s a very striking design.  Eye-catching.  Kudos to George and all that worked on this one- including- I believe- the glass from my friends from Viracon- though I’ll need Seth Madole or Garret Henson to confirm.  And if not- my apologies- and yikes.  In any case, love the way this one looks!

Make Plans

I’ve noted a few times that coming this June is the new NGA Glass Fabricator Conference- GFAB, and now registration is open and questions are flowing in about it.  So, here’s my take- this conference is focused on the glass fabricator space.  The content is geared towards that audience, and it’s delivered in a “track” style so the messaging can be targeted to the right attendees.  After all, we’re not a “one size fits all” sort of industry, and this event takes that into mind.  There are three tracks.  Executive, Glass Conference, and Workshop.  The “Executive” has content geared towards company management and includes presentations that support planning and execution in the future.  The Glass Conference is basically a traditional technical gathering that used to be a stand-alone meeting.  This is where the best technical minds in our industry gather to develop standards and guidelines that are so crucial for our space.  If you care about those standards and how they affect you, you should be there.  The last track ‘workshop,” is built for plant leadership and personnel.  Improving performance and quality, with a big emphasis on tempering, is on tap.  So especially if you’re new to tempering OR want to learn the latest tips and tricks- that’s for you.  The event is this June in Chicago.  More info can be found HERE, and you know I’ll keep pinging it here too.

Elsewhere…

-- FYI- the next edition of the From the Fabricator podcast drops next week, and it’s a pretty unique episode. Four people total from different backgrounds, all serving the industry well.  Was very enjoyable getting to know each one better. I think you’ll enjoy it.

-- Recently, my guy Travis Nevins of IUPAT had a great feature in Glass Canada magazine on certification. Travis delivers a passionate appeal for licensing, and I think he hits all the high points.  And this is not a union/non-union issue- it is an INDUSTRY issue.  We need to be at our best out there, and since many other trades have licensing and certification that give owners/architects/GC’s peace of mind, we should have that as well.

-- Congrats to FHC President & CEO Chris Hanstad for being nominated for the 2026 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Greater Los Angeles program.  Chris deserves any and all recognition he can get as he’s worked tirelessly to deliver the best for our space.  And yes, I know and agree that FHC is a massive team effort, so I am sure Chris shares this honor with each and every person there.  I am just thrilled to see mainstream honors hitting one of our own.

-- Saw two moves from the fine folks at Viracon.  Brian Savage, who always keeps me posted on the blizzards in Minnesota (which I hope are done for 2026), has taken on a new role as Senior Manager, Project Operations and Supply Chain.  Love it- Brian will be great.  Then I noticed Seth Madole is now Vice President, Customer Experience and Supply Chain.  Seth is an off-the-charts talented guy, and his effect on customer service and logistics/supply has been huge.  He represents the best side of our industry at all ends- and it is awesome that he continues to be impactful out there.

-- Last this week… I am late to this, but Major League Baseball has begun, and I need to make my predictions.  Plus, for the third straight year, the Mayor of Glasstown, Jon Johnson, got me into a fantasy league, and it’s been an incredible distraction for me. So grateful to Jon there.  On to the predictions… is it too easy to say the Dodgers win it all again? They’re so good… I really have no choice but to pick them, and they’ll take on Seattle in the World Series (Seattle is so overdue there). For Jon and me, our Detroit Tigers may make some waves, but I don't think they have the bats to get there.

LINKS of the WEEK

-- The JPMorgan Chase – Charlie Javice story is a wild one- and now news that she billed them for “cellulite butter” – umm do I even want to know what that is?https://nypost.com/2025/11/14/business/charlie-javice-billed-jpmorgan-for-personal-products-as-part-of-74m-legal-tab-claim/

-- Older story…She thought she had jet lag. Doctors found parasitic worms in her brain. Watch what you eat, folks! https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/02/21/rat-lungworm-brain-travel/

-- Is WKRP in Cincinnati back?  Well, maybe not as a show (bummer) but as an actual, real station. https://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/2026/04/03/wkrp-call-letters-are-coming-to-cincinnati-radio-report/89452633007/

 PROJECT of the WEEK

To Nashville we go, and the D concourse extension by NGG.  Great work by them installing YKK AP curtain wall, Sage electrochromic, FHC’s glass wall system and much more. Really well done, everything looks great, and I look forward to seeing it one of these days.  Congrats to all on a job well done!

April Show Time

As we roll into the new month, there are two excellent regional events on the calendar, and I think they are well worth attending.  First, in the great state of Texas, the Texas Glass Conference is on April 23/24. This is the conference that is held in the years between TEXpo, and it keeps growing and growing.  Truly a fabulous event and this year they loaded up on great sessions and speakers including the awesome Urmilla Sowell on Industry Codes, Kyle Jones of PGP leading a panel (where he is fantastic) a Keynote from Russ Bartlett on Leadership and Life Lessons from the Blue Angels, Winning Strategies from Scott Kimpland of FMI and the next evolution of Estimating with Mark Green of Shape Exchange.  Plus, strong networking as always! The TGA and Brian Risinger and company always deliver!

Then, on April 29th, the premier event for the Philly/Jersey area is the Annual Glass Symposium in Atlantic City.  I missed it last year and said no way I'd miss it this time. Pat O’Connor and the crew at the Glass & Metal Alliance really work hard on this one.  This year's event will feature great networking and unique, strong educational presentations. (People who do incredible projects- like my project of the week below- will be there)  Final touches are being put on it- but I can tell you the speakers are bringing subject matter we haven’t covered much of in the past, and there are 31 and counting vendors on the floor, which is super. To learn more about Texas, click HERE, and for the Symposium, click HERE.

I’ll be at both and hope to see you there!

Elsewhere…

-- ICYMI: last week's shower door-focused pod has been burning up the podcast airwaves.  Danny Donahue of FHC was off the charts with so many items, and then Christina Elia (yes, I spelled her name wrong last week- I am mortified there and have apologized to Christina) and Shannon McKinney really delivered, as I’ve gotten so much positive feedback – it really makes me happy.  So please take a look or listen!

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Thank you to FHC-Frameless Hardware Company for the sponsorship of this episode!

-- Time for the monthly Glass Magazine review.  This edition was epic.  Norah Dick set the tone with a tremendous piece on all that glass can do, and it just continued positively from there. The NGA 2025 Annual report was in this issue, and my guy Stanley Yee had an excellent article on recycling.  So much in this one to take in- it was also geared towards educating on protective glazing too- which is a pretty major product line these days.

The ad of the month once again was a challenge for me to choose.  SO MANY great ones in this issue.  But the nod goes to Kuraray for an eye-catching ad on flood-resistance interlayers.  Great use of imaging and design, and it was exactly what you want in an ad- some education and a call to action.  Nice work by the team there- I assume the talented Ron Hull had to have his fingers on this one!

By the way, the Glass Magazine awards deadline is March 31st, so get those nominations in!

-- Congrats to Diamon-Fusion International on their latest hire of Jill Read as Director of Marketing and Sales.  I have known Jill a long time and have always been a massive fan of her vast skill set.  This is a great combo- Adam Zax and company are always on the move, and Jill being a driver- it makes perfect sense.  Kudos to all on this one!

-- Last this week… With the college basketball March Madness here, you get a whole new set of commercials.  There was one that absolutely stuck out and won the day.  MC Hammer is back in the spotlight with a take-off of “U Can’t Touch This” from 1990 (YIKES) and set on a construction site.  It was fantastic.  If you haven’t seen it- check it out HERE.

LINKS of the WEEK

Yikes- Power wires are not for hanging on to https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/us/news/pennsylvania-mother-faces-charges-after-child-tries-to-hang-on-power-lines-from-roof-while-she-was-out-on-a-task-heres-what-happened/articleshow/129715325.cms

Rough and large product recall and glass (as in jars) is involved. https://mynorthwest.com/local/food-recall-glass-trader-joes/4221569

Banging on the wrong hotel door at Disney.  It’s actually a pretty common occurrence- but this one was over the top. https://nypost.com/2026/03/26/lifestyle/drunk-disney-guest-arrested-after-banging-on-wrong-hotel-door-in-wild-viral-meltdown-video/

 PROJECT of the WEEK

As noted above- the project of the week comes from a company that will be proudly represented at the Glass Symposium. And look at the work they do!  This is from Ronald Kudla and the team at Advanced Glass & Metal, LLC.  And instead of me going on about it, this from a LinkedIn post from the Architectural Glass & Metal Association sums it up nicely.

Completed in March 2025, the University of Pennsylvania Vagelos Institute for Energy Science and Technology (VLEST) in Philadelphia is a cutting-edge, 62,000+ sq. ft. research facility designed to support the university’s leading energy scientists. The 7-level building features flexible labs, collaborative spaces, and offices—all brought together with a high-performance facade. Advanced Glass & Metal installed the unitized curtain wall system, along with storefronts and multiple entrances, delivering both precision and performance. 

The facade’s design is driven by solar orientation, incorporating: 

🔵 6’ deep ETFE sunshades on the East/West elevations 

🔵 Increased glazing with vertical fins on the North 

🔵 Horizontal brise-soleils on the South 

The result? A visually striking, energy-conscious structure that earned LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council

Absolutely tremendous work- more pictures of this project can be seen on the post HERE.  Check it out and then get to the Symposium!!