The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) announced new staff appointments during the AAMA Fall Conference, held Oct. 14-17 in Albuquerque, N.M., which include Ken Brenden, technical director; Dean Lewis, educational and technical information manger; and Rich Rinka, certification manager. These new appointments were made as part of AAMA’s strategic objectives to add value to the association’s membership by expanding the AAMA educational platform and accelerating the development of standards based on gap analysis.

Ken Brenden, Technical Director

As AAMA’s technical director, Brenden will review content of all AAMA technical document drafts and ballots; represent AAMA at selected industry organization events; oversee all code and regulatory activities as well as certification-related programs and supervise all department staff and areas of responsibility including guidance and monitoring of new department employee training. Additionally, Brenden will provide input to Rich Walker, AAMA’s president and CEO, regarding strategic objectives and daily operation of the association.

Brenden has been an employee of AAMA since 2005 and has more than 35 years of window and curtain wall experience in manufacturing, testing, engineering and designing. As an AAMA member in 2004, Brenden was the recipient of AAMA’s Architectural Products Group Distinguished Service Award.

Dean Lewis, Educational and Technical Information Manager

As AAMA’s educational and technical information manger, Lewis will develop and review all educational course content, including FenestrationMasters™; review and edit content of all AAMA marketing materials and media inquiries pertaining to technical activities, as well as review recommended revisions to the InstallationMasters™ training manual and related materials. The role also involves assessing marketplace and member needs to identify needed educational course content, plus maintenance and identification of education accreditations that AAMA should hold.

Lewis has served on the AAMA professional staff since 1999. He began his career in the fenestration industry at PPG Industries in 1973, holding positions in project engineering and product design, sales and customer technical support. Following that, he served as training director for the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society for 16 years where he managed research, editing and publishing of all technical training and reference manuals. Lewis also administered the Society’s, as well as its educational foundation’s, training courses. He has more than 25 years in technical training, publishing and certification in the industrial and military sectors, and has served on standards and certification committees of several national and international standards organizations.

Rich Rinka, Certification Manager

As AAMA’s certification manager, Rinka will direct all certification-related activities of the association with direct management responsibilities for the AAMA air, water and structural Gold Label Certification Program, as well as the AAMA Thermal Certification Program (silver label). Also, Rinka will manage all aspects of the ANSI accreditation requirements in addition to certification-related audits and act as advisory staff liaison to assigned member groups within the association.

Rinka, formerly of AAMA member company Momentive Performance Materials, began his employment at AAMA on Oct. 13. Rinka has a long employment history in technical and engineering support and customer relations, as well as compliance and quality control.

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