Opening Thoughts from the President and CEO

Both exemplified characteristics that comprise great leadership—dedication, decisiveness and passion—each maintaining different skill sets and expertise. While they weren't cast from the same mold, Lyon Evans and Charles "Charlie" Everly set a high standard for current and future industry leaders.



Lyon passed away on December 8, 2011 at the age of 93. During his 42-year tenure with AAMA, Lyon helped form the origin of AAMA—Architectural Aluminum Manufacturers Association—and worked to establish and organize AAMA’s many initial technical committees, as well as facilitate in the development of our product certification programs, standards, specifications, test procedures and criteria. For his dedication and service to our organization, Lyon was inducted as an AAMA Honorary Member on May 2, 1989.



Not unlike Lyon, Charlie, who passed away on April 8, 2012 at the age of 81, also contributed to some of AAMA’s “firsts.” Charlie’s voice and unwavering determination were instrumental in gaining acceptance for the first joint window standard, now international in scope and known as the North American Fenestration Standard (NAFS), in the International Building Code. After “retiring” in 1996, Charlie began practice as a Code Consultant for PGT Industries, where he served as chair of our Codes Working Group.



While both men’s active participation and noteworthy contributions helped steer the course for AAMA, it was their high level of expertise that made them invaluable to our organization and industry as a whole.



Lyon, hailing from the Empire State, graduated in 1940 from Colgate University with a degree in architecture. Today, Lyon is credited with developing a library of technical bulletins that serve as the foundation for fenestration education.



Charlie spent the majority of his youth and early adulthood Alexandria, VA, continuing on to graduate from Virginia Polytechnic Institute (now commonly known as Virginia Tech) with a degree in architectural engineering. During his career as a professional engineer, Charlie became one of the world’s foremost experts of wind effects and wind resistant design.



Although often absorbed in their work, both men found time to appreciate the outdoors. Lyon enjoyed cross-country skiing, waterfowl hunting, fishing in Canada and traveling. Charlie, too, was an avid hunter and fisherman with a great appreciation for wildlife. He enjoyed identifying hundreds of species of birds on their yearly migrations.



In attending the recent Western and Southeast Region Spring Meetings, I was reminded of both Lyon and Charlie and how their ideals are echoed throughout AAMA’s regional leadership. These meetings provided an excellent opportunity for attendees to learn about the industry’s most relevant topics, including Building Information Modeling, designing for blast mitigation and the NFRC’s Independent Verification Program.



We are proud of our regions for following in the footsteps of Lyon and Charlie by establishing their commitment to leadership, education and the advancement of the industry.