AAMA recognizes member leadership during 75th anniversary celebration

Award presenters noted the importance of these member contributions as they serve to further the industry as a whole.

"The 2012 Annual Conference marked AAMA's 75th anniversary as the leading trade association representing both the residential and commercial sectors in the fenestration industry," says Rich Walker, AAMA's president and CEO.

Outstanding Member Award -- Gantt Miller (Winco Manufacturing Co.)

Gantt Miller, CEO of Winco Manufacturing Co. (St. Louis), was named Outstanding Member, as presented by the previous year's award winner, Mike Kinard (Kinro, Inc.).

The Outstanding Member Award is given to an individual who has distinguished themselves in their work and dedication to the advancement of AAMA and the industry as a whole.

Miller has been a part of 50 different committees and task groups during the ten years that he has been active in AAMA and has served as a co-chair on five of these committees. He is the former chair of the AAMA Board of Directors, but continues to serve in numerous other groups and roles involved in guiding the day-to-day operations of AAMA.

In presenting the award, Kinard noted that Miller's career is "as diverse as it is stellar, being a registered AIA [American Institute of Architects] architect and venturing successfully into entrepreneurship as a builder and real estate developer."

Miller has worked at Winco Manufacturing for 30 years, having previous experience as a residential developer and maintaining an architectural practice.

Architectural Products Group Distinguished Service Award -- Mike Turner (YKK AP America, Inc.)

The Distinguished Service Award for the Architectural Products Group was presented to Mike Turner, vice president of marketing for YKK AP America, Inc. (Austell, Mo.), by Steve Fronek (Apogee Enterprises/Wausau Window and Wall Systems), president of the Architectural Products Group.

This award is given to an individual who accomplishes formative work on behalf of the association and the Architectural Products Group.

Fronek noted that Turner "has being exceptionally active in forming AAMA's input to code groups and for regulatory deliberations from his current involvement on both the Code Action Committee and the Regulatory Affairs Committee." In his 10-year involvement with AAMA, Turner has been a contributor to 74 different AAMA committees and task groups and is currently involved in 37 of those committees. He serves as a representative of the Architectural Products Group on the AAMA Board of Directors, as well as roles dealing with fenestration anchorage, frame member deflection, operating hardware and test methods.

Turner started working at YKK AP America as an assistant engineer 20 years ago. Since then, he has held the positions of project manager, Tech Center design engineer, supervisor of technical planning, technical administration manager and director of technical services.

Residential Products Group Distinguished Service Award -- Kim Flanary (Milgard Manufacturing, Inc.)

The Distinguished Service Award for the Residential Products Group was presented to Kim Flanary, director of engineering for Milgard Manufacturing, Inc. (Tacoma, Wash.), by Rod Hershberger (PGT Industries), president of the Residential Products Group.

This award is given to an individual who accomplishes formative work on behalf of the association and the Residential Products Group.

In his eight-year involvement with AAMA, Flanary has participated in 51 AAMA task groups and committees and currently serves as chair on eight of these committees. He is the immediate past president of the AAMA Western Region and current vice president of the Residential Products Group.

During the award presentation, Hershberger said that Flanary's "efforts have contributed substantially to AAMA's position of authority on cutting-edge issues, such as green construction and sustainability, security hazard mitigation and integration of fenestration within the building envelope."

Marketing Distinguished Service Award -- Brent Slaton (Keymark Corporation)

The Marketing Distinguished Service Award was presented to Brent Slaton, national sales coordinator for Keymark Corporation (Fonda, N.Y.), by Kathy Krafka Harkema (Pella Corporation), recipient of last year's award.

This award is presented to acknowledge a single individual who has exhibited leadership and outstanding service in marketing activities for the association.

Since attending his first AAMA conference five years ago, Slaton has served as chair of the Aluminum Material Council (AMC) Marketing Committee, second vice president of AMC, a FenestrationMasters™ subject matter expert on aluminum finishes and profiles, as well as a number of other roles on marketing-related committees and task groups.

Krafka Harkema stated that the Marketing Distinguished Service Award is "a highly respected, peer-driven award," and Slaton "has remained dedicated to the marketing mission, and AAMA is the better for it." Krafka Harkema went on to relay members' praise of Slaton, calling him an "excellent role model for marketing attendees."

Also during the Awards Banquet, previous years' Outstanding Members who were in attendance were recognized for their prominent contributions to AAMA's progress.

Additionally, chairs of AAMA's committees and task groups and other leaders were recognized at the banquet. Walker commented that "it is essential to recognize the AAMA members who faithfully share their time, experience and knowledge to further the goals and initiatives at the task group and committee levels. The membership's contribution of time and effort plays an integral part in the continued success of the association."

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