The FGIA Staff

Executive & Membership Staff

Directs the overall vision, mission, beliefs and strategic goals of the association as well as oversees all operational departments. Oversees recruitment, retention and support of FGIA members.

Headshot of Janice Yglesias

Janice Yglesias, Executive Director

Janice began her career with the association in 1999 serving in an administrative support role. Over the years she has directed or consulted on all operations activities. In 2008, she was included as one of the 50 most influential people in the glass industry by USGlass magazine. Since 2018, she oversees the full organization with specific focus on strategic planning, financial management, operational efficiency, systems capabilities, program development and customer needs assessment.

Portrait of Samantha Leeke.

Samantha Leeke, Senior Business Development Coordinator

Samantha’s primary focus is recruitment, onboarding and retention of corporate members and product certification program customers. She also participates in the annual renewal process for these services and helps to coordinate some executive-level projects.

Portrait of Victoria Leal.

Victoria Leal, Database Coordinator

Beginning in 2010, Victoria had various student service roles in higher education. She earned her BA in Interdisciplinary Studies from Governors State University, graduating with honors. Over the years one thing remained constant, a passion for helping others achieve their personal goals and non-profit work. At FGIA, she continues this by serving as the Database Coordinator. This role includes data maintenance, member renewals, record maintenance, and membership billing.

Accounting Staff

Responsible for all financial and accounting practices.

Portrait of Melissa McCord.

Melissa McCord, Accounting Manager

Melissa began her career with the association in 2009. She manages the development of the annual budget process, oversees the annual audit of the association and approves cash flow and general ledgers. She also prepares financial reports for each department and those submitted to the Finance Committee and the Board of Directors. She is responsible for processing payroll, the monthly financial close and cash forecasting.

 

Portrait of Daniel Hernandez.

Daniel Hernandez, Staff Accountant

Daniel began his career with the Association in 2022. He is responsible for month end close, check runs and ACH/EFT payments. Daniel also reconciles department and expense schedules. He has worked in the accounting field since 2017 in the printing, energy and water system management industries. Daniel has a BS and MS in Accounting. He also served in the U.S. Navy and is CPR certified.

Portrait of Amber Orce.

Amber Orce, Accounting Assistant

Amber is responsible for reviewing and posting cash receipts, creating bank entries and publication orders, monitoring accounts receivables and sending collection notices. She also enters accounts payable invoices, assists with month end bank reconciliations and the annual audit and responds to customer service emails. Amber has worked in an accounting capacity since 2016, and she has previous experience in purchasing and customer service.

Human Resources

Responsible for personnel administration, employee recruitment functions, and operations.

Portrait of Cassandra Ortiz.

Cassandra Ortiz, Human Resources and Office Manager

Cassandra’s primary responsibilities include personnel and benefits management, office operations and IT management. She previously served as a People Experience Team Leader and Office Manager. Cassandra has a strong passion for people operations and organizational development. She has extensive experience in the social services non-profit industry. Cassandra holds an MS in Management & Organizational Behavior from Benedictine University (2018) and is SHRM-CP Certified.

Portrait of Tiffany Chiu.

Tiffany Chiu, Office Coordinator

Tiffany provides office support to FGIA headquarters as well as FGIA staff members, ensuring that projects and goals are met at a timely manner. She maintains equipment and supplies for the office, and assists in customer service inquires. Tiffany is a seasoned notary since 2023 and has been working in an administrative capacity since 2019 focusing on finance and business. Tiffany’s alma mater is University of Illinois at Chicago. Connect with Tiffany on LinkedIn.

Marketing Staff

Oversees the association’s communications activities, website development and maintenance and all other marketing opportunities for our members and certification licensees.

Headshot of Angela Dickson.

Angela Dickson, Marketing and Communications Director

Angela began her career with the association in 2004 and has worked in varying roles within the Marketing Department. Since 2017, she has served as the Marketing and Communications Director, developing and recommending marketing objectives, strategies and tactics. These responsibilities include oversight of digital communications, promotional efforts, market research, website development and industry events. She is also the co-chair of the Window Safety Task Force.

Portrait of Lori Benshoof.

Lori Benshoof, Web and Online Technology Specialist

Lori’s primary functions include website development and maintenance, managing online services and serving as the lead in managing the development of the association’s membership database. She also works on council marketing-related projects and provides creative support using image and video editing tools. Lori joined the organization in 2005 and in 2007 moved into the Marketing Department. Previously, she worked for a magazine publisher as the Marketing Promotions Manager developing in-house ad copy. Lori has extensive experience working in a marketing and promotional development capacity.

Portrait of Meryl Clark Williams

Meryl Williams Clark, Senior Communications Coordinator

Meryl produces national and regional newsletters, writes editorial content and helps lead the association’s social media outreach, including the Socially Speaking blog. She has extensive professional communications experience in both journalism and public relations.

Education Staff

Oversees all of the association’s webinars, online education courses related to fenestration and glass, and initiatives related to professional certification programs, including FenestrationMasters® and InstallationMasters®.

Portrait of Kaydeen Laird.

Kaydeen Laird, Education Manager

Kaydeen has worked for the association since 2003. She oversees all education initiatives and is responsible for the execution of all webinars and professional certification programs, including FenestrationMasters and InstallationMasters.

Headshot of Aaron Blom.

Aaron Blom, Technical Training Specialist

Aaron joined the association in 2021 and is responsible for conducting and developing FGIA’s professional education programs. He began his career in 2007 as a technical representative for an aluminum framing systems manufacturer and represented a major fenestration producer, where he was focused on the specification and sale of fenestration systems for monumental commercial construction projects. He has also worked for a multi-divisional specialty sub-contractor.

Portrait of Bobby Hoffman.

Bobby Hoffman, Education Coordinator

Starting his career with the organization in 2022, Bobby’s main focus is the FenestrationMasters and Fundamentals of Fenestration programs where he assists with enrollment, test coordination and certificate distribution while also supporting all other aspects of the education department.

Portrait of Maria Getner.

Maria Getner, InstallationMasters Program Assistant

Maria began her career with the association in 2022. Her main responsibilities consist of assisting in the coordinating and processing of the InstallationMasters Program classes. This includes the Combined, Replacement and New Construction programs.

Portrait of Shanice Smith.

Shanice Smith, Education Assistant

Joining the organization in 2022, Shanice provides administrative support to the Education and Marketing departments including staff liaison support.

Events Staff

Responsible for all aspects of the planning and onsite administration for the association’s conferences and regional meetings.

Portrait of Florica Vlad.

Florica Vlad, Events Manager

Florica is a Certified Event Planner (CEP). Since 2006, she has worked together with the Events team to achieve successful events for the association. Florica loves to bring people together and tackles challenges with positive energy. Her experience and creativity allow her to design, produce, execute and mindfully develop the framework for optimal event success. She treats members like her own family and loves bringing the FGIA events to life.

Portrait of Kate Cobanova.

Kate Cobanova, Senior Events Coordinator

Kate’s current responsibilities include preparing and coordinating content for FGIA event announcements, monitoring and assessing feedback and effectiveness of events to enhance future events, and providing on-site coordination and support at all events for the association. She also coordinates on-site registration and a/v set up. Prior to FGIA, Kate began her career with the Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance ( IGMA) in 2014 as Administrative and Certification Coordinator. She earned a BA in Psychology from Carleton University.

Portrait of Christina Brondi.

Christina Brondi, Events Assistant

Christina began her career with the association in 2023. She assists in the preparation for FGIA conferences and regional meetings. Her responsibilities include processing registrations, broadcasting announcements and reminders of upcoming events, and attending conferences to provide on-site support.

Technical Services

Oversees the association’s technical operation including standards, other industry organization involvement, product certification, and codes and regulatory affairs.

Headshot of Kathy Krafka Harkema.

Kathy Krafka Harkema, APR U.S. Technical Operations Director

Kathy leads FGIA’s U.S. technical operations team, responsible for development of FGIA’s regulatory and legislative advocacy, building codes positions, fenestration certification programs, standards and publication creation and more on behalf of FGIA members. She designed her own home to ENERGY STAR® guidelines, and led renovation of her family’s farm after it was struck twice by severe storms. A longtime window safety and energy efficiency educator, she’s a versatile leader, negotiator and communicator.

Headshot of Amy Roberts.

Amy Roberts, Director of Canadian and Technical Glass Operations

Amy oversees the FGIA Canadian standards and regulatory building and energy codes, as well as the IGMAC Certification Program for Insulating Glass Units. She has more than 20 years of industry experience in glass and insulating glass (IG) manufacturing, and in both residential and commercial window manufacturing.

Fenestration
Headshot of Richard Rinka.

Rich Rinka, Technical Manager, Fenestration Standards and U.S. Industry Affairs

Rich began his career with the association in 2012. He oversees the development of fenestration standards and provides representation at other industry organizations’ meetings to help keep our members informed.

Fenestration Certification
Professional headshot of Jason Seals.

Jason Seals, Certification Services Manager, Fenestration

Jason began his career in testing fenestration products both in the laboratory and in the field. He then continued this work by running the testing and certification program for a major window and door manufacturer as well as managing their in-house testing facilities. In his current role at FGIA, Jason manages the AAMA product certification, component verification and laboratory accreditation programs used by FGIA members and licensees to bring quality fenestration products to market.

Glass Certification
Headshot of Amy Becker.

Amy Becker, Glass Products Specialist

Amy oversees the operation of the IGCC/IGMA and IGMAC insulating glass certification programs and serves as the internal auditor for FGIA fenestration certification programs. With over 20 years of industry experience, she is also a staff liaison for glass-focused committees and task groups and represents FGIA and its members at meetings of other industry organizations.

Fenestration
Headshot of Glenn Ferris.

Glenn Ferris, Fenestration Standards Specialist

Glenn began his career with the association in 2018. He has extensive experience in the fenestration industry dating back to 1992. Glenn is a liaison for many councils, committees and study/work/task groups guiding them in the completion of the scope of each group.

Fenestration Certification
Portrait of Tamara Baskin.

Tamara Baskin, MBA, Senior Certification Services Coordinator

Tamara joined the association in 2012. Currently, she serves as an overseer of all billings and record maintenance, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in financial processes. In addition, Tamara provides administrative and liaison support to the Certification Department, maintaining effective communication with manufacturers and suppliers regarding certification policies, procedures and program status.

Fenestration
Portrait of Julia Reeder.

Julia Reeder, Technical Standards Coordinator

Julia has worked for the association since 2015. She assists with document development, administering ballots and publishing documents. She also manages documents in the FGIA online store and the Fenestration and Glazing Virtual Library (FGVL).

Portrait of Ali Vanhouten.

Ali VanHouten, Technical Services Coordinator

Ali joined the association in 2023 as part of the Technical team. Her background in administration since 2008 helps her fulfill her position. In her role, she coordinates technical content development for FGIA conferences, maintains committee and task group data in the association management database, and provides liaison support and administrative support for the U.S. Technical Operations Director.

Glass
Portrait of Florence Nicolici.

Florence Nicolici, Canadian and Glass Products Assistant

Florence began her career with the organization more than 38 years ago. After retiring from her role as Meetings Manager in 2021, she worked for FGIA in several capacities on a contract basis. In 2024, Florence returned part time providing administrative and staff liaison support for the Canadian and Glass Products Council committees and task groups.