April 20-26 is National Volunteer Week, dedicated to celebrating the impact of volunteer service and the collective power of volunteers to tackle tough challenges and build a stronger, more resilient community.
This week, and all year long, we value and thank our many volunteers in the glazing and glass building products industry who offer their time, talent, support and voice to the initiatives of the organization.
View photos from the recent NGA Glass Conference: Carlsbad and BEC Conference 2025, to see the involvement of some of our NGA volunteers. Also, be sure to review the NGA Annual Report 2024, detailing the value created with the help of our volunteer members, for our industry.
See more #NVW activity on social: National Glass Association on LinkedIn, @GlassNation on Facebook and X (Twitter).
GET INVOLVED
Our Advocacy & Technical Services team is always recruiting new volunteers for our committees. Join an active task group to be part of our work in glazing and glass building products.
FROM OUR VOLUNTEERS
Robert Carlson | Head of Engineering, Tristar Glass
"I regularly use, and have come to rely on, many of the industry documents created through the volunteer efforts of past and current leaders in the glass industry. By getting involved and volunteering myself, I get the opportunity to contribute my own small part to these documents and hopefully help others in the same way."
Julia Schimmelpenningh | Technical Engagement Manager Architectural, Eastman Chemical
"The main reason I volunteer within the industry and especially at NGA is because I believe that the glass industry brings incredible value to the continuation and enhancement of life. It may sound crazy, but by volunteering I feel I can give back to an industry that has gifted me a blessed life. Through something I may do on a committee, I can make someone’s life better or easier or more comfortable. The awareness of products, information on performance and developing an appreciation for a material that to many is “invisible” or taken for granted gives me an energy surge. I personally also feel that through the extensive reach and credibility of NGA, everything I do as a volunteer has the potential to save a life or at least prevent significant injury – and that is powerful.
After being in the industry for a number of years, I hope that I bring experience and efficiency to the processes and maybe a touch of knowledge!"
Michelle Phan | Director of Technology, Cardinal Glass Industries
"I volunteer with NGA because it provides countless opportunities to expand my network, to learn and grow through collaboration with my colleagues, and to make a positive difference in the larger industry landscape. Making new friendships along the way is an added bonus!"
Sam Olson | General Manager, J&A Glass
"Knowledge is power. Volunteering with the NGA allows me to both share what I’ve learned and continue learning, which are both essential to helping my team and clients make informed decisions. From the beginning of my career in the glazing industry over 16 years ago, I’ve always looked for people who were willing to teach and share their experience. I was the persistent punk kid who didn’t accept “I don’t know or no” as an answer, which usually meant we had to dig together for a solution and inevitably find someone who could help.
I originally got involved with the NGA to deepen my understanding of glazing products and solutions. What I didn’t expect was how often I would end up offering insight from a different perspective that others seemed to find helpful. Some of the best learning happens through collaboration, and many times the person doing the teaching walks away having learned something too. That’s why I volunteer. I would have loved to have a centralized resource like the NGA and its many offerings when I was starting out. Although I had to learn many lessons the hard way, those experiences brought me to where I am now, and I’m grateful for the chance to support others as we all continue to grow in this industry."
Melissa Szotkowski | VP Sales & Design, Linel - A Mestek Company
"I think we all volunteer because knowledge shared in a collaborative environment benefits the industry, our companies, and ourselves. Through participation in these task groups, we move the industry forward while growing personally and professionally. This industry is full of amazing people with incredible depth of knowledge, and it is an honor to work with and learn from some of the industry greats."