Posts from — March 2010

Wayne Gorell, Chairman and CEO of Gorell Windows & Doors, has been selected one of “Pennsylvania’s Top 100 People” by Pennsylvania Business Central. The publication recognizes individuals in a 16-county coverage area who stood out in 2009 for either their business acumen or their contributions to their communities.

Wayne Gorell founded Gorell Enterprises in 1994; the window manufacturer is now one of the largest independent employers in Indiana County and is recognized nationally for its highly energy-efficient products and leadership in the manufacturing of “green” ENERGY STAR® qualified windows. In addition to leading his company to Inc. 500 distinction as one of America’s “Fastest Growing Companies,” Gorell has been recognized locally, regionally and nationally for his achievements. In 1998, 2002, and 2003 he was an Entrepreneur of the Year finalist. In 2004 he was honored as the winner of the Master Entrepreneur of the Year award for Western Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. He was also named to Pennsylvania Business Central’s “Top 100 People” list for 2004 and 2005 and received Pittsburgh Business Times’ Diamond Award in 2006.

Gorell has held numerous leadership positions in the window industry. He has served as chairman of the Manufacturers Council of NARI (National Association of Remodeling Industries) and President of the AAMA (American Architectural Manufacturers Association). In addition, he has served on the boards of numerous charitable, educational and service organizations.

Gorell—2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 ENERGY STAR® Sustained Excellence Award winner and Partner of the Year from 2004 to 2010—manufactures windows for replacement and new-construction applications, patio doors and aluminum storm windows and doors. The company markets its products through a network of dealers and distributors. Acknowledged as one of the most innovative and fastest growing manufacturers of windows and doors in North America, Gorell is consistently recognized for its high product quality and excellent customer service. Gorell was the first vinyl window manufacturer to have its double-hung windows certified by Green Seal™, an independent, nationally recognized non-profit green organization based in Washington, D.C.

Gorell Windows & Doors has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as the winner of the prestigious ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Award for the seventh straight year. Gorell received the “Sustained Excellence” Award—bestowed only on organizations that have won the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year award three or more consecutive times—for the fifth consecutive year. Gorell won for its continued leadership in protecting the environment through manufacturing highly energy-efficient windows and doors and promoting the ENERGY STAR program as part of its green efforts.

“EPA is recognizing Gorell with our highest ENERGY STAR award—the 2010 Sustained Excellence Award,” said Gina McCarthy, EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation. “Gorell’s continued leadership and commitment to energy efficiency is a testament to what we can accomplish to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect our global environment.”

The “Sustained Excellence” award reflects Gorell’s long-term commitment to manufacturing ENERGY STAR qualified products as well as the company’s work in promoting the ENERGY STAR program. The EPA and DOE also recognized Gorell for consistently exhibiting leadership, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by setting and achieving aggressive goals, employing innovative approaches and showing others what can be achieved through energy efficiency. Award winners are selected from more than 17,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR Program. Other Sustained Excellence winners include General Electric, Whirlpool Corp. and Sylvania Lighting. Gorell’s accomplishments will be honored at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 18, 2010.

“We’re proud—and honored—to achieve seven straight years of national recognition from the EPA and DOE,” Brian Zimmerman, Gorell President & COO. “ENERGY STAR is an integral part of Gorell’s business—it’s become the cornerstone of our commitment to energy efficiency. Our employees continuously strive to produce not only the best, most innovative windows and doors in the industry—but the most energy-efficient products available. We also place great emphasis on educational and training materials to ensure that our employees, dealers and consumers have a clear understanding of the ENERGY STAR program and the benefits that energy-efficient products provide.”

Since its inception in 1993, Gorell Windows & Doors has made energy efficiency a top priority in every facet of its business. In 2009, 97.9 percent of the windows and doors Gorell manufactured qualified for the ENERY STAR label, one of the primary reasons Gorell won the Sustained Excellence award. Gorell’s efforts to get its dealers signed up as retail partners—as well as the company’s significant investment to ensure that it would comply with the new ENERGY STAR windows and doors criteria on January 1—also played a major role in capturing the award.

Gorell windows and doors are made of vinyl, a highly sustainable material. Gorell manufactures dozens of different energy-efficient window designs and offers seven high-performance Low-E glass systems that feature double- or triple-insulating glass, low-emissivity coatings and inert gas fill between the panes. Every Gorell vinyl window or door that incorporates one of the company’s optional Low-E glass systems qualifies for the ENERGY STAR label.

Gorell manufactures windows for replacement and new-construction applications, patio doors and aluminum storm windows and doors. The company markets its products through a network of dealers and distributors. Acknowledged as the most innovative and fastest growing manufacturers of windows and doors in North America, Gorell is consistently recognized for its high product quality and excellent customer service. Gorell was also the first vinyl window manufacturer to have its double-hung windows certified by Green Seal™, an independent, nationally recognized non-profit green organization based in Washington, D.C.

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The Scheduled speaker for February 11th is Petra Mitchell, President of Catalyst Connection.