Robert Rivard selected as Fenestration Canada’s new executive director Canadian Design and Construction Report staff writer. After an extensive process aimed at finding an alterna- tive solution to its existing management structure under the Wood Management Council, Fenestration Canada re- cently announced the appointment of Robert H. Rivard as its new executive director. The association’s board of directors mandated its ex- ecutive committee to find an individual who could lead Fenestration Canada as the Canadian national trade asso- ciation for the window and door industry. Rivard is a fluently bilingual professional with more than twenty years’ experience managing national trade as- sociations and more than seven years’ project manage- ment experience with the sector council program funded by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. “We are very pleased to have Robert as our new direc- tor and we very much look forward to working with him,” Fenestration Canada president Yvan Houle said in a news release. “He was most recently involved with us as the momentum Continued from page 47 Building codes are evolving to make what had been advanced volun- tary energy efficiency levels manda- tory, while voluntary programs such as Energy Star have raised their mini- mums to new, higher levels. The con- cept of “Net Zero” — buildings able to produce as much energy as they consume (combining effective insula- tion with thermal and solar energy generation) – is now a realistic vision. However, the building codes are com- plex, setting out many variables and conditions related to the heat loss through window and doors – creating both challenges and opportunities for manufacturers and distributors. This has created a rapidly-growing demand for information and insights, new products and innovations – re- sulting in increasing WINDOOR ex- hibit space interest. MacLean says manager, association services on a part-time basis under the previous management firm. His passion and dedication to the betterment of our industry will help move the association to new levels in providing services to our membership and advocating on behalf of the industry.” “Having him focus his entire attention to our require- ments in administrative issues, marketing of the associa- tion, membership promotion and retention services, government relations and the Win-Door trade show on a full-time basis will be of tremendous benefit to members who will now have a “go-to” person for all of their needs.” Fenestration Canada represents and supports all as- pects of the window and door manufacturing industry, in- cluding formulating and promoting high standards of quality in manufacturing, design, marketing, distribution, sales and application types of window and door products. sales are higher so far this year than at this time in 2012. He says one of his focuses mov- ing forward will be growing and diver- sifying Fenestration Canada’ membership, with fees structured to support fabricators and the inclusion of regional and sister associations at the national board level. MacLean says while there is a strong regional interest in the indus- try now, in the broader sense national codes affect everyone and he hopes to see more regional members in- volved at the national level. “There are new changes to the building code in Canada now that are just months away from becoming re- ality,” he said. “We’ve done a lot of education already and will continue to provide members with information to help them better understand codes and the impact these changes will have on their business.” He says Fenestration Canada’s 48 – Spring 2013 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report technical advisor, Jeff Baker, and his committee have been involved from the beginning, working with govern- ment to ensure the changes make sense. The new codes will result in better products and better monitor- ing, but will take time and money and require some adaptations. “While most of our members are aware of the changes, there is still ed- ucation to be provided to the wider fenestration community, including ar- chitects, specifiers and government officials,” he said. “We need to make sure that all the stakeholders under- stand and apply the codes properly.” “Fenestration Canada is a valuable source of information for anyone working in the window and door in- dustry,” MacLean said. “The benefits of membership are untold, opening doors and making the work of doing business a lot easier.” For more information, visit fenestrationcanada.ca.