Unification process is expected to commence late in 2017 or early in 2018
The Boards of Directors of the National Glass Association (NGA) in Vienna, Virginia and the Glass Association of North America (GANA)in Topeka, Kansas have unanimously approved combining the associations into one unified voice for the glass and glazing industry.
The new association will combine the best elements of NGA and GANA to better serve members and the industry. GANA’s technical and advocacy work will be supported and magnified through NGA’s robust delivery platforms, including Glass Magazine, e-glass weekly and GlassBuild America, the largest industry trade show in the Americas. Both organizations are committed to training the industry’s workforce, and their dedicated volunteers will leverage the growing capabilities of MyGlassClass.com and other education resources.
“The combination of our associations will unify our industry, giving stronger voice to our advocacy and industry standards efforts, our technical resources and many other initiatives to ensure the continued use of glass in buildings the world over,” said Doug Schilling, GANA President.
NGA and GANA will continue to operate as separate and collaborative entities until the transaction is complete and a closing date is established, likely by the end of 2017 or early 2018. Between now and then, the leadership will establish a joint integration working group to create a roadmap for the integration.
“The industry thanks the Joint Task Force members who worked to get us to this important threshold,” said Ken Mariotti, NGA’s incoming chair.
The NGA task force was represented by Michael Albert of S. Albert Glass, Angelo Rivera of Faour Glass Technologies, NGA President & CEO Nicole Harris and NGA General Counsel Jerry Jacobs.
The GANA task force was represented by Stanley Yee of Dow Corning Corporation, Doug Schilling of Schilling Graphics, Gus Trupiano of AGC Glass Company North America, Steve Marino of Vitro Architectural Glass and GANA General Counsel Kim Mann.
Nicole Harris, NGA president & CEO, continues as staff head of the combined association. Urmilla Jokhu-Sowell and Sara Neiswanger will join her staff.
“We’ve collaborated with Urmilla and Sara for many years; my staff and I look forward to working together as we transition to build the new association,” said Ms. Harris. “With a ROI member-service mindset, we will execute on the goals articulated by many in the industry: eliminate redundancies and overlap to produce focused, relevant meetings, programs and products that reduce costs, save time and deliver on member company needs.”