ISFA Names Chuck Sawyer As Executive Director

The International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA) has named industry veteran Chuck Sawyer to the position of Executive Director of the industry trade association for the surfacing industry.

Chuck has been part of the surfacing industry since 1974, originally owning fabrication shops in Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. One of the first DuPont certified trainers, he pioneered some of the early fabricator training in the US and South America and was one of the original faculty members of ITEC.  He served as co-chair for the ISSFA Solid Surface Conferences and was selected Associate Member of the Year in 2001.  Additionally, he has extensive sales, marketing and product development experience at both the distributor and manufacturer levels.  In 2009, he was one of the first individuals to be accredited as a LEED Green Associate by the USGBC.

“We are very pleased to have Chuck working on advancing the association,” said Mike Langenderfer, ISFA President. “His knowledge, experience and industry contacts, along with the great ideas he brings to the table, will help us to revamp ISFA’s programming in the coming years.”

“I am extremely pleased that I will have the honor of leading ISFA,” said Sawyer. “The industry as a whole has been through tough times in recent years but things are starting to move in the right direction. ISFA has some amazing things in store over the next few years and I can’t wait to launch the next generation of this outstanding organization.”

Among the initiatives for the coming year at ISFA will be:

Review and development of existing and new standards:  This will include comprehensive fabrication and installation standards for solid surfacing and quartz surfacing.

Broaden the ISFA educational offering:  Continuing in its tradition of providing excellence in fabrication and business training, ISFA will be introducing a process for more accessible fabrication training on a regional level, increased opportunities for training of middle managers and a special program for senior managers. The popular Million Dollar Mentor program will also be upgraded.

Provide increased networking opportunities:  Networking has always been a valuable part of the ISFA experience. In 2013 we will bring some exciting regional and local opportunities for ISFA members to work, connect and learn together for the benefit of members and the industry as a whole.

“Through input from fabricator members, manufacturers, associates and industry experts, and the creation of standards, training opportunities and networking events that represent the best in the business,” said Sawyer,  “ISFA can serve all stakeholders – consumers, architects & designers, contractors, fabricators, specifiers, manufacturers and suppliers – assuring that we represent all that is the best there can be in our industry.”