The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) regrets to announce the passing of Rich Walker, 74, former President and CEO of the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) and an industry figure of momentous proportions. Walker retired from the Association in 2018 prior to its unification with the Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance (IGMA) to form FGIA. He is survived by his wife, Diane Walker, who shares with Rich the namesake of the Rich and Diane Walker Cup golf event held at FGIA conferences, their two adult children, Kate and Adam and their granddaughter, Maddie Mae.
An industry veteran, Walker joined AAMA in 1996 as Technical Director and advanced to Southeast Region Director before accepting the President and CEO position in 2000. Under his leadership, the organization experienced tremendous growth and success. Beyond expanding AAMA’s technical offering, which serves as the cornerstone of the association, Walker led the implementation of strategic objectives expanding the scope of services to include comprehensive education such as the FenestrationMasters® Program, legislative and regulatory monitoring and validation of fenestration product performance in Florida.