Kevin Zuege is Senior Director, Technical Services and Marketing, Industrial Products Group for Tremco. He leads the IPG’s Technical Service and Product Management teams, focusing primarily on fenestration applications. We sat down with him to talk about the importance of networking and how to move forward in a fulfilling career and life.

What product(s) does your company manufacture?

Our Commercial Sealants and Waterproofing Division manufactures a wide range of weatherization solutions for industrial and construction applications, including all six sides of the building envelope. My specific areas of focus are IG components, glazing sealants, tapes and ERP gaskets.

What is a typical day like for you?

Typical is not typical! We do most anything needed to help our customers (or our customers’ Tremco representatives) understand or use our products to grow their businesses. On any given day, I may work with team members to provide guidance on design, product selection, specification and drawing review, installation assistance and/or training.

What is your professional background and how did you become involved in the industry?

I was trained in the 1980s as an engineer and started in product development. I started testing sealants, metal construction panels and windows, and mostly learned all I could from dozens of great teammates. Sealant and spacer knowledge is specialized and must be handed down from experts. Meeting people within AAMA and IGMA is a major chapter in the book of fenestration knowledge.

How long have you been involved with AAMA?

I have been involved with AAMA since achieving FenestrationMasters^® status back when it was launched in 2012. [Editor's note: Kevin was the first person to achieve FenestrationMasters certification in 2013.] 

What accomplishment are you most proud of in regard to your work as an AAMA member?

Simply reaching out and making connections. I love the interaction with the great technical peers. The quality of people drives the quality, breadth and depth of any endeavor.

Where do you see the fenestration industry in the next 10 years?

I believe the fenestration industry will continue to be healthy. Innovation is the key to drive upgrades on new installs and aging stock. IG design will advance more and more triples and quads, and automation will continue to advance to improve quality and efficiency.

How can the industry work together to be more successful?

Partner to innovate. Finding pioneering risk-takers drives the technology forward.

What advice do you wish someone would have given you as you began your career?

I wish I had been encouraged to get in the field more. Early, as a designer, the job was in the office. That is not where the action is. My Tremco experience starting 27 years ago let me learn a lot more, a lot faster.

What is the best advice you’ve received in your career so far?

Early on, someone advised me to build relationships! They are cumulative and complementary.

Who has been most influential for you in your professional life?

My family has been most influential! Early on, they gave me the support to be curious and always learning, and then in my adult life, they have always supported and encouraged me to challenge myself.

Anything else you’d like to share (i.e., what you like to do outside of work, something people wouldn’t know about you or what you see for the industry in the future)?

My pastimes involve getting outside and enjoying the big, wonderful world! I love travel, organizing fishing trips and seeing new places.