
GANA Announces Dr. Thomas Culp As Code Consultant
January 21, 2010
The Glass Association of North America (GANA) announced that Dr.
Thomas Culp of Wisconsin-based Birch Point Consulting has been retained
by its new Glazing Industry Code Committee (GICC) to act as a consultant
for the group as it becomes actively engaged in the energy code
process. The group, which formed at the beginning of 2010, becomes
part of the ongoing GANA: Advocacy effort by the association to
represent the glass and glazing industry's interest in the full
gamut of building and energy codes, as well as various rules, regulations
and standards-creating organizations. GICC was previously an autonomous
organization whose members voted to roll the association into GANA.
"I am very excited to continue working with the Glazing Industry
Code Committee and the Glass Association of North America,"
says Dr. Culp. "There is an unprecedented new focus on increasing
energy efficiency in the codes and standards. This can provide positive
opportunities to promote green attributes, daylighting, value-added
products, and building integrated photovoltaics. There are also,
however, a lot of misperceptions about glazing out there, which
can lead to harmful, flawed changes such as recent proposals to
reduce total glazing area."
After earning his Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University
of Wisconsin, Culp worked at ATOFINA Chemicals in Philadelphia for
six years, focusing on the development of low-E glass coatings for
energy efficient glazing. He then created Birch Point Consulting,
which currently provides engineering and strategic consulting services
to glazing and framing manufacturers in the areas of energy efficient
window performance, building code development and interaction with
government and industry bodies.
"Tom has been an integral part of our current efforts with
the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning
Engineers (ASHRAE) and other organizations," says Bill Yanek,
GANA executive vice president. "His leadership and vision have
been vital in preventing punitive changes to codes and standards
that would cause irreparable damage to the glazing industry. We
are glad to have his guidance as part of GANA's future code and
energy advocacy efforts."
The first formal meeting of GANA's GICC group is scheduled for 8
a.m. PST, March 30 at the Paris Las Vegas Resort as part of GANA's
Glass Week activities.
"GANA understands the vital importance of being involved in
that process to ensure the best interests of the fenestration industry
are represented," explained Culp.
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