April 2013 |
 President's Message Mary Sue Hermann, Kensington Glass
Happy Spring! (I think). Well my first few months as President have flown by! It's been very interesting and I've learned a lot.
I went to my first hearing on proposed bill #5072 An Act Concerning Automotive Glass Work at the Legislative Office Building. It was really interesting to hear arguments for the bill and some small opposition. I think the bill has a great chance at being passed this year. We hope this bill will help our small independent auto glass repair shops compete with the big monopolizing company out there but your help is still needed! I do not do auto glass repair but that doesn't mean I can't help. I actually spoke with Representative Rob Sampson (he opposes the bill as written) to try to convince him that being for the bill is being for small business. I'm not sure if it had an impact but at least I tried. And that is what I'm asking you to do. Please contact your legislators thru email, snail mail or even a phone call and ask them to support Bill #5072 An Act Concerning Automotive Glass Work. The auto glass shops in Connecticut need your help!
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 Confused about Connecticut's Prevailing Wage laws?
You are not alone!
Please join us on Thursday, April 4, 2013 at CGDA Headquarters, 330 Main Street, 3rd Floor, Hartford, CT for the latest information regarding Connecticut's prevailing wage laws. The seminar is $40 for CGDA members and $50 for non-members. Registration and continental breakfast will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the seminar will run from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Sandra Barrachina, Field Supervisor for the CT DOL will be on hand to discuss the history of the prevailing wage, state statutes, who is covered under the law, payroll, record keeping and more. There will be a brief presentation, followed by a question and answer session. Please submit your questions prior to the seminar by email to krystn@ctcapitolgroup.com or by fax to 860.541.6484.
Ms. Barrachina holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration and has worked at the Department of Labor, Wage and Workplace Standards Division for over 30 years. She has been the supervisor of the prevailing wage unit for over 20 years. Ms. Barrachina developed the Guide to Prevailing Wages in CT book as well as the Quick Review to Prevailing Wages.
You must pre-register for this event. Please click here for the registration form.
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 Registration is Now Open for CGDA's Annual Golf Outing!
On Wednesday, June 19, 2013 CGDA will host the 11th Annual Sal Vece Memorial Golf Tournament at beautiful Lyman Orchards in Middlefield, CT. Each year, GCDA members and supporters of our organization look forward to this opportunity to network while engaging in some friendly golf competition. For $180 per golfer, you will enjoy a pre-tournament lunch, 18 holes of award winning golf with a cart, drinks and dinner. Foursomes are $800 and includes a tee/green sponsorship. This is a friendly, informal tournament and many of our golfers are novices. Don't golf? Don't worry! For $50, join us for our post golf dinner and drinks. You will still have the chance to enter our raffle to win fabulous prizes at our dinner. In order for our tournament to be a success, we need your help. We are looking for tournament sponsors. There are many different levels of sponsorship, so choose the opportunity that offers your company maximum exposure at the right price! For complete tournament information, including registration and sponsorship opportunities, please click here. |
 | | Andre Santamaria, Owner, Auto Glass of New England |
Welcome to CGDA's Newest Board Member
CGDA is proud to announce that Andre Santamaria, Owner of Auto Glass of New England, has joined the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Glass Dealers Association.
Andre has been in the glass business for 25 years. He was the Corporate Manager of Diamond Glass from 1993 to 1994. He was the Manager of Vistar Auto Glass/Windshields America from 1994 to 1995. In 1996, he helped start Glass America in Connecticut, where he remained a manager until 2008. He then started his own company called Auto Glass of New England which he still owns today.
Recently, Andre has been diligently working on passing legislation in Connecticut which would force Third Party Administrators who are also glass retailers to recommend at least one other glass shop to customers when they call to file auto glass claims. To read more about this legislation, please click here.
We are excited that Andre has joined our Board of Directors and we look forward to his input on how CGDA can better serve Connecticut's auto glass industry.
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 Announcing Our Newest Members Only Benefit
CGDA is now offering our members space in our newsletter to advertise items you wish to sell. This service is free to our members. Please provide Krystn Ledoux with a description of the item, asking price, a photo and the best way for someone to contact you if they are interested in purchasing your item. Email this information to krystn@ctcapitolgroup.com. For a complete list of membership benefits and information on how join the CGDA or renew your membership, click here. |
This Month in Our Associate Member Spotlight:
Leed Himmel Industries, Inc.
Located in Hamden, CT Leed Himmel Industries, Inc. is a custom aluminum fabricator and manufacturer. Himmel Brothers was established in 1909, and H.A. Leed Company in 1946. In 1989, the two companies merged to form Leed Himmel Industries, which has continually grown and expanded ever since. The company now serves a much broader customer base and offers more in the way of products and services.
True to its reputation as an industry leader, Leed Himmel is proud to offer architectural products, such as aluminum louvers, aluminum railing systems, column covers, custom wall panel systems, storefront and entrance systems, custom curtain wall systems, interior aluminum fixtures, perforating, water-jet cutting and heavy plate aluminum fabrication. In addition, Leed Himmel serves other industries such as highway bridge rail manufacturers, sailboat mast outfitters, exercise equipment manufactures and more through a wide range of products and services.
Leed Himmel has a 125,000 square-foot facility in Hamden. This facility houses their state-of-the-art, computer controlled aluminum extrusion plant, anodizing and painting departments, and a 50,000 square foot fabrication area with CNC bending, shearing, waterjet cutting, and machining, not to mention welding and fabricating stations.
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Dave Goldfarb, VP of Operations,
Leed Himmel
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Leed Himmel Industries has been a CGDA member for many years. During that time, the CGDA has developed a warm relationship with Leed Himmel's Vice President of Operations David Goldfarb. David is a past member of our Board of Directors and we asked him to share a little bit about himself and why he values Leed Himmel's CGDA membership. Here's what he told us:
"Leed Himmel originally joined the CGDA because we feel it's important to support the local economy and local contractors. It's been a great way to network, get feedback on what is happing in the industry locally, stay on top of important legislation, and find out how we can we can better serve our customers.
I have been back with Leed Himmel for 10 years following a 12 year hiatus. My two young boys (ages 4 and 6), my wife, and I currently live in Middlefield, CT and spend our time boating, snowmobiling, and trying to keep up with the kid's activities."
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 Calling All Apprentices! The current CGDA Flat Glass Apprentice Semester started on Monday, March 18, 2013 and will conclude in June. If you are an apprentice and you have not received your current syllabus, please contact Krystn Ledoux at (860) 727-0166 or krystn@ctcapitolgroup.com as soon as possible. The CGDA was honored to welcome 3 talented new apprentices into the program this semester and we want to offer our sincere congratulations to Mario Lopez of of Plymouth Glass on the completion of his apprentice education. Did you know that CGDA also offers a State Approved Auto Glass Apprentice Curriculum? This one year program covers everything from auto glass repair and replacement to customer service and marketing! A one-time fee of $600 covers all course materials and online learning through the National Glass Association's MyGlassClass.com learning portal. For more information on our apprentice programs, please click here or call Krystn Ledoux at (860) 727-0166. |
  It's Not Too Late to Join CGDA or Renew Your Membership!
2013 CGDA Membership is now available.
In December 2012, CGDA membership renewal notices were sent to all our existing members. We have received many renewals so far and we sincerely thank each of you for your continued support of the CGDA! Not a member already? You can find complete information on CGDA Membership here. Membership for glass shops with 1-4 employees begins at just $185 per year. Members enjoy many benefits such as: - Your Voice at the State Capitol - CGDA, through our lobbyists at TCORS, advocates on your behalf to protect the interests of you and your trade. All CGDA members receive timely alerts on legislative and other regulatory issues affecting your business as they arise.
- Glazier's Point Newsletter - Jam-packed with the latest information on industry trends.
- Insurance - Your CGDA membership will save you money on your insurance needs. Liability, disability and workers' compensation insurance are just some of the ways CGDA members have saved money through CGDA endorsed plans.
- Discount Admission - The CGDA offers the best in educational seminars, social events, and even our annual golf tournament. Active CGDA membership guarantees you and your staff the best rates for all these events.
- Free Technical Support from CGDA - Help is just a phone call away with the CGDA HR Hotline. Whether you're in auto glass or flat glass, we have the information you need. Our HR Hotline is brought to CGDA by Robert Noonan and Associates of New England who is a prominent attorney and consultant in the HR field and it's FREE.
- Exclusive Rights to Use the CGDA Logo - Only CGDA members may use the CGDA logo in the Yellow Pages, on business letterhead, business cards, etc.
- State Approved Flat Glass and Auto Glass Apprentice Programs - CGDA offers these apprenticeship education programs exclusively to our members. The flat glass apprentice education program is a three-year course and the auto glass apprentice education program is a one-year course. At the end of these courses, apprentices will be prepared to sit for the appropriate state licensing exam.
- Website Opportunities - CGDA's website provides the most up-to-date information on industry trends, and provides immediate access to the CGDA membership directory and publications, licensing info, legislative issues and event information.
- CGDA Members Prosper - Statistics prove that trade association participation increases profitability. You'll be more professional and a better informed business owner!
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President's Welcome Message
(Continued)
I want to welcome our newest board member, Mr. Andre Santamaria of Auto Glass of New England. I believe Andre will be a great asset to the CGDA! He has already shown an incredible drive to help the auto glass industry in Connecticut!
We have planned an informative seminar about prevailing wages! It's April 4th in Cromwell. It's open to members and non-members alike. If you have ever done a prevailing wage rate job you know how difficult it can be to figure out the rates especially if you have to do a blended rate. Please take this opportunity to learn and ask questions. The registration form is on our website.
Check out our new associate member spotlight! This quarter we are featuring Leed Himmel. If you would like to be featured in our next issue, please contact Jessica. You can email Jessica at jessica@ctcapitolgroup.com.
Lastly, I want to remind everyone to mark your calendars for our 11th Annual Golf Tournament at Lyman Orchards on June 19th, 2013. Last year was blistering but the way the weather is going so far this year we may luck out with a much cooler day for golf. Please remember, you don't have to be a golfer to attend, we top the day off with a nice dinner and raffle, so, please come and enjoy!
I hope spring brings everyone bountiful, blooming bouquets of profitable projects!
Sincerely,
Mary Sue Hermann
President CGDA
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Contact:
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Connecticut Glass Dealers Association
330 Main Street, 3rd Floor, Hartford, CT 06106| 860.727.0166
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