The Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) announced the election of Ruskin President Keith Glasch to the group’s board of directors, and Ruskin Director of Architectural Solutions Jim Smardo as Chair of the AMCA Louver Marketing Task Force. 

Glasch will serve a three-year term for the not-for-profit association of the world's manufacturers of fans, louvers, dampers, air curtains, air flow measurement devices, ducts, acoustic attenuators and other air system components. As a board member, he will help guide AMCA in all matters pertaining to growth of the organization and air movement and control technology, especially fans, dampers and louvers.

“It’s a privilege to be asked to serve on the board of directors of an association that has supported our industry in many important ways during its 100-year history,” said Glasch. “I look forward to applying my more than 25 years of experience in HVAC technologies and products, as well as my business expertise, to the association as we celebrate AMCA’s rich past and engage in exciting new opportunities for its growth in the future.”

Meanwhile, Smardo will serve approximately two years as Chair of AMCA’s Louver Marketing Task Force, which includes representatives from five louver manufacturers. The Task Force champions louver certification, advocating to the industry the value of AMCA-certified products in accordance with AMCA codes, such as AMCA 550 (test method for high-velocity wind-driven rain-resistant louvers). Additionally, the Task Force supports AMCA initiatives around louvers through educational efforts such as webinars, presentations and white papers.

“The AMCA Louver Marketing Task Force is relatively new, and was developed because we deal with a tremendous amount of codes,” said Smardo. “Our goal is to help educate the industry about the value of AMCA’s certification programs, which ensure louvers have been tested to meet AMCA codes. I’m excited to help with this effort as Chair of the Task Force.”

Glasch joined Ruskin in 2015. Most of his career has been spent working with applied engineered products and the commercial HVACR industry. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Dallas and a Bachelor of Science in human factors engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In addition to his new role with AMCA, Glasch is a member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

Smardo has been with Ruskin for over 20 years and brings nearly 40 years of architectural experience to his role. Since joining Ruskin, he has worked in engineering, sales, marketing, estimating and new product development, all in the louver architectural group. He holds a degree in drafting technology and building design from Pittsburg State University in Kansas. In addition to his leadership role on the Louver Marketing Task Force, Smardo is active with other AMCA committees, including the Advocacy Committee.