NGA Glass Conference: Ann Arbor

This interactive session provides an overview of the conference program, NGA committee structure and resources. Find out what to expect at NGA Glass Conference and how to get involved as well as what’s planned for future NGA conferences, including the new NGA Glass Fabricator’s Conference (GFAB) with Katy Devlin. Get to know NGA’s new CEO, Lakisha Woods, and meet your peers. All conference attendees will introduce themselves. 

The NGA Fabricating Committee meeting facilitated by Aaron Thompson, Viracon, Chair, NGA Fabricating Committee, and Bobby Chestnut, Walker Glass, Vice-Chair, NGA Fabricating Committee, will begin with the Fabricating general business agenda.  

Learn how to influence the direction of industry codes and standards at the Industry Standards Update, presented by Urmilla Sowell, NGA, VP, advocacy & technical services.

Welcome to Guardian Glass—tour overview and logistics—Jon Griggs, Guardian Glass LLC.  

Note: limited capacity; advanced registration required.

Katy Devlin, NGA, VP, content & programming, will present key industry metrics to watch that will help glass and glazing companies navigate an uncertain environment.

Tempering:  Jenni Chase, NGA, VP, workforce development, will give an update on the new MyGlassFab tempering courses developed by NGA task group volunteers.

Laminating Liaison Julie Schimmelpenningh, Eastman Chemical, and Vaughn Schauss, Kuraray will present a new standard for hydrostatic pressures.

Industry Collaboration

• Certification program updates for safety glazing (Safety Glazing Certification Council (SGCC)), insulating glazing (Insulating Glass Certification Council (IGCC)), and Architectural Glass & Metal Technician (AGMT) Certification, presented by  John Kent of Administrative Management Systems, Inc. (AMS).  
• Updates on Fenestration Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) activities from Amy Becker, FGIA.  

NGA Advocacy Committee Chair Paul Bush, Vitro Architectural Glass, will facilitate discussions on NGA’s advocacy efforts in 2025, including NGA’s priority topic school security.  

The Sustainability Sub-Committee, chaired by Kayla Natividad, Pilkington | NSG, will include findings from the Purdue Senior Design Study, presented by Georgia Oehler, NGA, senior manager, technical services & sustainability.  

NGA Code Consultant Tom Culp, Birchpoint Consulting, will present updates to the energy codes and green/stretch codes and standards and give an update on the Architectural Glass Circularity & End of Life project with Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) and NGA. 

NGA Forming Committee Chair Steve Marino, Vitro Architectural Glass, and Vice Chair Jon Griggs, Guardian Glass LLC, will facilitate updates from the flat glass manufacturers, including a look into the future of green building programs. 

With interactive metrology demonstration from k-Space.

Robert Hart, LBNL, and Stephen Morse, Michigan Tech University, will give a presentation on Thin Glass, including fabrication and handling considerations, safety glazing testing and next steps.  

Protective Glazing Liaison Vaughn Schauss, Kuraray: Get the latest updates on fire and structural building codes and standards including tornado-resistant glazing and bird-friendly glazing legislation from Thom Zaremba and Nick Resetar,  Roetzel & Andress, NGA Fire and Structural Codes Consultants.  

Julia Schimmelpenningh, Eastman Chemical, will give an update on the development of a new ASTM standard for retrofit of existing school buildings using security glazing systems designed to resist forced-entry attacks.

NGA Volunteer of the Year, Robert Carlson, Tristar Glass, will present Using AI to Optimize Work and Life. 

Insulating Liaison Robert Carlson, Tristar Glass, and Bill Lingnell,  Lingnell Consulting Services, will present insights based on investigating insulating glazing failures.  

Stephen Morse, Michigan Tech University, will outline plans for VIG deflection testing under a joint FGIA/NGA project.  

Decorative Glazing Liaison Michael Saroka, Goldray Glass: a new decorative glazing manual is in the final stages of development.

Task group updates from the NGA Installing Committee with volunteer opportunities.