The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) recognized the contributions and achievements of its members and congratulated winners at the Annual Awards Ceremony and Reception at the end of the second day of the 2025 FGIA Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida. Awards were presented primarily by the previous year’s winners, who recognized recipients for their efforts toward progressing the work of the Association and the industry overall in 2024.
Outstanding Service Award – Lothar Erkens (Winco Window Company)
The Outstanding Service Award was presented to Lothar Erkens, Technical Sales and Engineering at Winco Window Company, by Janice Yglesias, FGIA Executive Director.
The Outstanding Service Award recognizes individuals who have distinguished themselves in their work and dedication to the advancement of FGIA and the industry as a whole.
“Lothar is a man of many talents, who wears many hats within the Association,” says Yglesias. “He is an exceptional engineer and inventor who has developed various types of smart windows, with two of his patents granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.”
Erkens serves as Vice Chair of the Design Guide for Metal Cladding Fasteners Task Group and the Seismic and Wind-Induced Inter-Story Drift Review Task Group. He is the Architectural Products Council (APC) Co-Chair for several groups, including the AAMA Certification Policy Committee, the Fenestration Safety Committee and the Regulatory Steering Committee (RSC) Rapid Response Team.
Architectural Distinguished Service Award – Greg McKenna (Kawneer Company)
The Architectural Distinguished Service Award was presented to Greg McKenna, Director, Field Engineering and Customer Training at Kawneer Company, by Erkens, the previous year’s recipient.
This award recognizes an individual who accomplishes formative work on behalf of the Association and the APC.
“As a leader of the research and development department, he has led seven Kawneer research projects and two university partnership projects,” says Erkens. “He has secured 16 U.S. patents with two additional pending. Some of these patents have even been granted internationally.”
McKenna serves as First Vice President of the Architectural Products Group. He is the Chair of the International Building Code Task Group. He is also the APC Co-Chair of several groups, including the North American Fenestration Standard Committee, the Code Action Steering Committee and the Technical Steering Committee.
Residential Products Group Distinguished Service Award – Rob Luter (Lippert Components)
The Residential Distinguished Service Award was presented to Rob Luter, former Director of Engineering at Lippert Components, by previous recipient Lisa Bergeron, Director of Business Development and Government Affairs at JELD-WEN. Luter, who recently retired, was unable to participate in person, but he sent his regards via a video response to those at the event.
Each year, a member who excels in work toward improving the Association and the Residential Products Council (RPC) is recognized with this distinction.
“Rob is a familiar face to those in the Association, including newer members, to whom he has served as a kind and generous mentor,” says Bergeron. “I am thrilled to share he is enjoying his recent retirement.”
Luter most recently served as Second Vice President of the RPC. He was also the RPC Co-Chair for several groups, including the AAMA Certification Policy Committee, the Acoustical Information Document Development Task Group and the Window Selection Guide Update Task Group.
Glass Products Council Distinguished Service Award – Rob Grommesh (Cardinal Glass Industries)
The Distinguished Service Award in the Glass Products Council (GPC) was presented to Rob Grommesh, IG Technical Service Manager at Cardinal Glass Industries, by Yglesias.
The Association recognizes a member with this award each year as one who excels in work toward improving the Association and the GPC.
“Per FGIA’s own Amy Roberts, he has a passion for driving a successful Glass Products Council,” says Yglesias. “Amy said, and I quote, ‘He wants it to be well attended and engaging. He leads by example and his technical expertise is top-notch. His passion for the Association shows.’ I agree.”
Grommesh is the first GPC representative to serve as FGIA Board Chair. He has stepped into many other leadership positions including Chair of GPC Advisory and Chair of Insulating Glass Technical Services.
Marketing Distinguished Service Award – Mark Hutchinson (INTIGRAL)
The Marketing Distinguished Service Award was presented to Mark Hutchinson, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Quality at INTIGRAL, by previous recipient Josh Wignall, Chief Marketing Officer at Quaker Window Products.
This award acknowledges a single individual who has exhibited leadership and outstanding service in marketing activities for the Association.
“Mark was a critical bridge unifying the former organization of the Insulating Glass Manufacturers Association (IGMA) and the present one here at FGIA,” says Wignall. “During his involvement with IGMA, he demonstrated unparalleled strategic vision and creativity, elevating the organization to new levels of recognition and influence.”
Hutchinson serves as the GPC Co-Chair of the Marketing and Engagement Steering Committee. He is Vice Chair of the GPC Marketing and Education Committee as well. Outside of marketing, he is the GPC Representative of the RSC, the RSC Rapid Response Team and the Code Action Steering Committee. In the last year, he dedicated his time to serving as a mentor for new FGIA conference participants.
Education Award – Moisture Intrusion Solutions
Moisture Intrusion Solutions was chosen for the FGIA Education Award for demonstrating significant support of and distinguished commitment to education excellence within FGIA. The company was presented with this award by Kevin Anez, Vice President of Engineering and Product Development at MI Windows and Doors, the previous recipient of the award.
“In the last two years, Moisture Intrusion Solutions has had 62 total participants in a range of FGIA Education programs, including FenestrationMasters, Fundamentals of Fenestration, InstallationMasters and more,” says Anez. “This was an investment of nearly $9,000, showing their clear commitment to continuing education and employee professional development.”
