Speaker 1 00:00:04 Welcome to the Clear Impact Podcast, brought to you by P G T I University. Thanks for joining us today. My name is Sherry Connor and I am your host.
Speaker 0 00:00:16 Well,
Speaker 1 00:00:17 Good afternoon. We are here on the Clear Impact Podcast and today we are talking to Jim Heis and Ty Cranford. And we're gonna be talking about a i A and Title 24. And so Jim Heis, you've been part of our team and you sort of retired and then we didn't really let you retire because you're so smart and knowledgeable. We needed to have you in our lineup still. So Jim, tell us a little bit about what you're up to these days.
Speaker 2 00:00:45 Well, in reality, I needed the extra work, not only monetarily but also to keep my mind sharp <laugh> so to speak. So I'm semi-retired at this particular point. My history very briefly, I'll, I'll cut through it, is I spent um, almost 20 years with P G T University from shortly after it first was initiated and have done a lot of different war and a lot of different hats over the years. I'm not gonna go through all the hats, but the one that ties into this, probably the closest is the one where I was spent about 12 of the years, those last 12 years working with the Florida Building Commission and writing codes and then for our industry and then worked with Florida a i a very closely after I discovered an unusual fact that I wasn't aware of that architects can go to school to get an architect license but there's no requirements and how many hours they have to have on building codes, which kind of scared me a little bit.
Speaker 2 00:01:37 So I confronted Florida a a a with that and they agreed. So there is now a current regulation in Florida. Anyway, it's the only state that I know that does it is that they are required if they're going to work in the state of Florida, no matter where they live, if they're gonna work in the state of Florida, they have to have at least two hours of an advanced building code class every two years. So I've been writing that class Florida a i a for the past eight to 10 years I guess. So that's really where it ties down to without getting into all the other hats.
Speaker 1 00:02:04 Okay. And Ty Cranford, tell us about you. Sure.
Speaker 3 00:02:07 <laugh>, I've been in the window and door industry for about 30 years. I've worked for uh, two different companies the first part of my career, first half, about 17 years of it. Um, worked in the distribution part of the window and door business, but also with retail. So that's basically the first half. But the most more exciting part of the half is the uh, past 15 years I've worked for one of the family of brands, Western Windows Systems and started out as an architectural representative, which gave me a good visual of the company itself and then helped the original owners with their vision of creating a national brand and what it is today. And through my journey, um, I've been a business development manager where I did a good part of the United States selling specifically the Western Windows Systems brand and then went into an architectural director's role where I created a team of 12 architectural consultants across the country to further help grow the company and then eventually into a director role. And then my current role today is working for PT t i over all of the family brands to help them develop an architectural consultant team across the whole United States with all the P G T brands. So that's my current role today. So that's a, a quick snapshot of 30 years as briefly as I could do that. <laugh>,
Speaker 1 00:03:29 That doesn't even seem possible because I met you a couple of weeks ago and I wouldn't have pinned you for a day over 40. So you must've started when you were young <laugh>,
Speaker 3 00:03:38 Uh, that'd be about 19
Speaker 1 00:03:39 Then. You were definitely the right two people to be talking about this topic. So Jim, you've had a lot of experience in, as you mentioned, just in developing courses and working with architects and helping provide these C e U credits. And so why is it important for architects to understand these things that you're teaching? Let
Speaker 2 00:03:59 Me explain a little something. First is that one of the hats I wore is for about eight to 10 years I had traveled around the country, mostly not the entire country, but mainly from Texas to Florida and and up to North Carolina. But I was a guest speaker at different associations, whether they be building official associations, architects, et cetera. And I've literally found if someone asked me what do I miss today? More than anything it's the architects because they were the most gracious and grateful people whenever you could teach them. And it just, like I say, they always made me feel very, very welcome. So I, again, they, they don't know what they don't know and they're anxious to learn type of a deal. And they're professionals and they're very gracious and easy to deal with. At least that's what I have found over the years.
Speaker 2 00:04:40 So I think that they wanna know as much as they can because they want to get away from mistakes. I could say for example, like indoor, it's not unusual for a sliding glass door to be put on a blueprint one direction where it needs to go the other direction type of a deal. So they would always get accused of making mistakes and they would consider it not a mistake, but it was architectural rendering and that the contractors should know better. So they're very anxious to learn and like I said, very grateful. That's why I always loved working with them.
Speaker 1 00:05:07 And so like the Florida building code that's updated every three years. And so how difficult is it for you to stay current on these topics? Of
Speaker 2 00:05:15 Course, I have three years to make the change. It was easier before because I was involved in the last, we're now in the seventh edition of Florida Building Codes and during the fifth, sixth and seventh I actually helped write everything for our industry. So that was very easy. I had three years in between to do it. Now it's a little bit different 'cause I don't attend the commission meetings anymore. So now I'm relying on background checking and also my contacts that I still have there at the Florida Building Commission to keep me updated and what is changing basically within our industry. I don't care about roofing or anything else. Mm-hmm <affirmative>, I just wanna know what's happening in our industry.
Speaker 1 00:05:49 Right? One of the things that I love is how diversified our team is and that we can cover so many different topics and so many different things. And so we offer all of our courses and trainings at no charge. Um, whereas you know, architects are required to keep up with their licensing and their certifications and so they have to have those C E U credits and other providers charge for those. Why do we offer these for free?
Speaker 2 00:06:14 Well first of all, it's probably 'cause it's the right thing to do. We're not out to make financial gains from it other than the fact that if we help them, they help us. One hand sort of washes the other sometimes in every industry. And at least I always looked at and and I think P G T did at the time is that we always wanted to be the person that if they had any questions on fenestration to come to us, not to someone else. And that sort of builds a certain rapport and we get extra business from it and that's really what it comes from.
Speaker 1 00:06:41 Anything else that would be helpful for our listeners to know about this?
Speaker 2 00:06:44 First of all, P G T University has a a, now it's P G T I University, I should be saying. It has a reputation basically within the fenestration industry. For years I was a board member of different national associations and anytime there was something that had to be done education wise, they would always look at, well P G T will do it because they did not have the ability to do it the way we always did it and to reach out to the people and be able to not have to charge for it. So we are well known within the industry across the country.
Speaker 1 00:07:14 Be sure to tune in for upcoming episodes to help you understand the fenestration industry, what you need to know when buying windows and doors and other related topics. You can find out more about
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Speaker 1 00:07:32 That's amazing. And so recently we saw a gap in our content as we have expanded our reach and have taken on some of the Western educational needs. And we saw that there was need for a course, just this little thing that California has called Title 24 and it's kind of a lot <laugh>, it's a lot of information. So you helped us develop that course and you worked with Brian Serwitz and also Kevin Auer and so that content is up on our site and we are gonna be scheduling the webinars very soon so that you can offer that via Zoom to anyone that wants to participate. They just have to sign up under P G T I University and then they can create a login and account and then they can register for that class and receive the A I A credits for it. So what can you tell us about that experience of creating Title 24? What
Speaker 2 00:08:22 It taught me is that I'm glad I lived in Florida
Speaker 1 00:08:24 <laugh>. All right. Okay. Um,
Speaker 2 00:08:27 California, unless you're living underneath a rock, you probably have heard or learned that California is one of the most, if not the most green and advanced energy state in the country without doubt. An example, a brief comparison between one state versus another is that Florida basically has two clima zones, which are very easy to handle and then it only relates to new construction. For retrofit, there are no requirements for energy in reality. And when it comes to California there are 16 different climate zones, each one having different requirements and applications. So you have to determine what climate zone that you're in before you can even go any further with it. It was a very confusing, in fact, when I first looked at it, I think I remember talking to you saying, I'm not sure this is gonna work out so well <laugh> <laugh> because I had to do a tremendous amount of research to find out why are they so fussy on everything like that. And I'm not knocking it that it shouldn't be that way. And I think Florida is at the far extreme the other direction from my own personal feeling, I think we need to increase our energy savings because it is something that's gonna save people money if nothing else. If not, if it's not just because it's the right thing to do.
Speaker 1 00:09:34 Right. Well I was glad because I saw the need for a Title 24 course and you know, I said to our manager, Jim Shank, like, Hey, I don't think this is really something I can manage. And he's like, oh see if Jim Heist wants to do it and your skillset and your background and your history set you up nicely to be able to put that course together for us. And so I was thrilled to be able to announce that and to be able to talk about that. And so we're gonna switch gears a little bit. Ty, I wanna bring you into this conversation. So you've had a lot of time and experience working with architects on a regular basis and I'm thrilled that you were able to join us for this conversation. I know it was kind of a last minute invitation, but how do you see educational content like this being an asset to your teams and to your customers?
Speaker 3 00:10:17 Sure. Well, well content like this, I basically see it as a kinda like a win-win. You know, my team now, you know, has a platform and content to meet with and educate architect firms on a topic that'd be confusing and misinterpreted at times. And it's a win-win for the customer. You know, architects in this case as they get to meet and discuss firsthand with the industry expert in the area together when we work together, it's uh uh, we can make the project a success. And the best part is it's all done over lunch. <laugh>.
Speaker 2 00:10:46 Yeah. Lunch and learn. That's actually what I had in mind when I developed and I asked Sherry rather, I could make it a two hour class or a three hour class, but the best one for architects is one hours for lunch and learn. That's how you get in the door with them.
Speaker 3 00:10:57 Exactly. That's kind of a win-win scenario.
Speaker 1 00:11:00 And so what benefits does a homeowner gain when they work with an architect who understands our products like the ones that we work with do?
Speaker 3 00:11:08 Well, that topic is definitely important for the architect to know our products. This is a little heavy, but when they do understand our offering, they can make a substantial impact on the customer's lives. Basically. Kind of an example is whenever an architect uses like sliding glass doors or window walls or to do maximize the daylight, we know that fresh air and natural daylight enhances people's lives, makes them healthier. And yes, there's documented studies on this and we have CEUs specifically on that topic and that particular topic. We have a C E U called Windows to the World Wide Open Spaces. And of course if there's interest in that, I'm happy to engage on that too. Yeah,
Speaker 1 00:11:45 Heather Bergeron teaches a lot of those 'cause I help her with the certificates for those after she does them. So yeah. And I think more and more people are starting to recognize that that sunshine's important and daylight's important and you know, there's a lot of research out there and it's all available now so you can just go online and find it. So Ty, what would you like to share regarding working with architects? Because that's a lot of what you do, right?
Speaker 3 00:12:07 Absolutely. I do appreciate that question. You know, I just, like I'd said before my 30 years in the window industry, you know, I've worked for two companies in every part of the process, whether it's inside sales production, outside sales and sales management. But today, you know, being the director of architecture is my passion is where I'm at 'cause it's what I'm most passionate about. And then specifically is, you know, you get to be a part of someone who has a dream and then you have the ability to make it a reality. You know, and that's why I love what I do every day. Sometimes I look at my title, you know, and see the word sales in it. And I often coach my team to be consultants first. And the construction process, I mean there's 48 divisions in that process and architects are expected to be professionals in all of them. And if we can help them with division eight openings, which is just one of the 48, we can create value for 'em, you know, which goes back to that win-win scenario that we kind talked about earlier, you know, with that partnership.
Speaker 1 00:13:06 And I would imagine if I'm hiring an architect, because I want a house built, I don't wanna have to research all the details. I'm trusting them. And so I wanna know that they know what they're doing and then I don't have to be concerned. That's why I'm paying them.
Speaker 3 00:13:20 Absolutely. You know, and then like I said, it just goes back to, you know, the ability to, if if they know about our products, it's they, you know, it can be deeper in knowing products of how them live better. It's kind of always been our theme with Western and and and some of the other companies and the PTT I brand is we have the ability, if we partnership and consult, we can enhance the lives of people every day.
Speaker 1 00:13:44 Alright. Anything else?
Speaker 3 00:13:46 There's one thing that I'd just like to mention is in my years of doing this, I've met with different people throughout the industry and all the different roles that I've had. We do a, uh, flying event and have done it for about the past eight years. We're bringing in 50 architects and we do the plant tour in the, in the normal things. And then we do like a Topgolf event. We'll do, uh, tally us in West and we'll, you know, go out and have fun and just something just kind of a fun fact is when you pull architects out of the office and we do events like that, I look back in my career and all the different venues that I've done and every single time I make it come to the conclusion that I've had more fun with that group than any other group. So it's kind of a <laugh>, I
Speaker 2 00:14:28 Totally agree.
Speaker 3 00:14:28 Know outta the, out of the typical stereotypical thought process. You pull 'em out of an office and they're the funnest group of people that you'll ever <laugh> that you'll ever engage in. I
Speaker 2 00:14:36 Totally agree with you and that's why I, the people ask me what do I miss the most Yep. Is going as a guest speaker at the architect's conferences because again, they're the most gracious and grateful people and you just love doing whatever you can for 'em.
Speaker 3 00:14:50 Absolutely. That's why I said I've done so many things and I've always rounded into where my passion is and that's where it's at. <laugh>.
Speaker 1 00:14:55 Nice. Well you can't not have fun when you're at Western because there is a twirly slide for crying out loud, which I've done. And a really fun thing, we actually did an episode with some architects. So we were at Western last fall and we recorded with several of the executives and there happened to be one of those events when we were there and Jeremy said, Hey, do you guys wanna talk to some architects? And we were like, uh, sure. So <laugh>, these three gentlemen came in and they were from California modernists and we actually recorded and posted an episode with them and got a little bit of an insight as to what it's like to be an architect designing homes in Malibu. And so that was super interesting and no script, no prep, no whatever. They just sat down and we just all talked. It was amazing. But it was great insight for us too, to just kind of broaden our scope and broaden our horizons as to how the university can serve not just the Florida base, but also the national base and the Western base. And now having a Title 24 course available just, you know, rounds that out even more. So. All right. Well I think this has been a great conversation, guys. I'm so thankful for your time today and your expertise. Thanks for being willing to chat with me and we will look forward to another one soon. Awesome.
Speaker 3 00:16:12 Thank you so much. All right,
Speaker 1 00:16:13 Thank you. All right, take care. P G T I University is the customer education team for an entire family of brands. We began with the original Easy Breeze, porch enclosure line then became P G T, America's leading brand of impact resistant windows and doors. We then added C G I C G I C window, Western Window Systems, new South Windows, echo windows, and doors and land, windows and doors, and our latest acquisition Martin Garage doors. We create products built to withstand major storms, keeping people safe, secure, and prepared. Our exceptional brands give you the protection you need without compromising design or functionality. P G T I University is here to educate you, our listener, so that you can be a more informed consumer of window and door products.
