Urmilla Sowell Talks About her New Role as GANA's New Technical Director
November 23, 2009

Earlier this month the Glass Association of North America (GANA) announced Urmilla Sowell P.E. as its new technical director, replacing Greg Carney who recently formed his own glass industry consulting business (CLICK HERE for related article).

Sowell joined GANA as assistant technical director in 2007, has been involved in many of the group's technical activities and projects and in her new role will take over the management of all GANA technical activities, continuing to serve as the liaison with other industry organizations. She is GANA's representative at the ASHRAE SSPC 90.1 Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings Committee, ASTM International activities including the new Glass for Solar Applications Subcommittee and to the Protective Glazing Council (PGC) International, where she serves as that association's president.

Sowell earned her bachelor's and master's degree in civil engineering from Texas Tech University, and is a licensed Professional Engineer. Prior to joining GANA she was employed by Hurricane Test Laboratory LLC as the assistant operations manager.

Though her new responsibilities are keeping her busy, Sowell found a few minutes to share with USGNN.com™ some of what she's most excited about in her new role with GANA.

Q. What have been some of your most rewarding projects so far?
Working on the 50th edition of the GANA Glazing Manual, as well as visiting a float glass plant and seeing a beautiful, pristine ribbon of glass and knowing the possibilities for that ribbon are endless.

Q. What are some things you are looking forward to as GANA's new technical director?
I am excited about working closely with GANA's members on different projects such as creating new technical resources. I am also looking forward to educating more [people] about glass through our resources such as the Glass Informational Bulletins and other documents.

Q. What have been some of your biggest lessons learned so far?
I have learned that there is a lot about glass that those outside the glass and glazing industry are not aware of.

Q. For the association, what are some things you'd like to see it tackle?
GANA is continuing to expand its technical activities and we are now focusing more and more on areas that include energy and advocacy issues, so I think [this shows] that our members are seeing that their requests are being answered and addressed.

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