Valspar will be exhibiting at the AIA Expo in booth #3618

A number of Valspar’s associates also will be in the booth to demonstrate the digital resources, to discuss the product offering and specification, and to answer questions about architects’ dream projects and their real-life application needs. Among those on site will be:

 

Tim Tritch, Director of Extrusion Sales

Tim Tritch began his career at Valspar more than 30 years ago as a quality control technician. Quality remains clearly in his focus, whether he is overseeing sales, technical or production processes. For the past two decades, he has grown and strengthened customer relationships. Currently, he manages the extrusion sales team, creating new market opportunities and developing innovative, value-added products. Prior to this, he was as an account executive focused on serving extrusion customers in the southern and western states.

Before joining the customer account team, Tritch was a production superintendent at both Valspar’s paint manufacturing facilities in Garland, Texas. He supervised employees, training, equipment and scheduling. Amongst his previous roles, he also gained experience as part of Valspar’s team of chemists. He progressed quickly to senior chemist where he formulated industrial extrusion coatings, and provided customers in the U.S. and the Far East with technical support.

A resident of Dallas, Tritch graduated Cum Laude from the University of Texas. Continuing his education and professional development, he is a member the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA). Together with his colleagues, he also represents Valspar within the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

 

Laura Giannakopoulos, Architectural Market Manager for North America

Dedicated to anticipating and responding to architects’ needs, Laura Giannakopoulos directs the new “InspireME” marketing, specification and informational resources. During the 2014 AIA Expo, she will help unveil valsparinspireme.com, an online experience for architects and design professionals. Giannakopoulos brings clarity of vision to the architectural market, along with inspiring a “yes culture,” where nothing is impossible and the passion to partner with architects to bring their designs to life.

Giannakopoulos monitors future market needs, architectural trends and next-generation technologies. Drawing from this knowledge, she will be introducing architectural strategic partners to Design Flight color-match app and node for mobile devices. Users will be able digitally save, share, custom-name their swatches and order physical samples.

Along with the launch of Design Flight and InspireME, Giannakopoulos also is involved in launching several new products including Kameleon™ Color coatings and Acropon® 2605 Extrusion Coating System for extruded aluminum product. Before joining Valspar, she assisted in developing architectural metal products and services as an eastern region sales manager for Precoat Metals and Premier Resource Group. A resident of Pittsburgh, she graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a bachelor’s degree in business management, minor in marketing.

 

James Sherwood, Architectural Business Development Manager

James Sherwood collaborates with architectural firms and design professionals to support their largest and most complex commercial building projects. Together with Valspar’s team of extrusion coatings specialists, he provides architectural assistance for AIA-approved continuing education presentations, specification details, color matching and samples. Coordinating with Valspar’s laboratory staff, he ensures architects’ requests receive priority, personalized attention.

Before being promoted to architectural business development manager, Sherwood served as the global segment manager for extrusion coatings. He has been in the aluminum extrusion industry his entire career, starting in the chemical industry for extrusion coatings’ surface pre-treatment. An influential industry leader, Sherwood is a taskforce member of the Aluminum Extrusion Council and an active member of the AAMA. He resides in the Dallas.

 

Isabel Bartig, Architectural Marketing Representative

Enhancing the brand experience for architects, designers and applicators, Isabel Bartig creates and manages Valspar’s integrated, multi-channel marketing campaign. Working closely with her sales and marketing colleagues, she leads the team’s interaction with both industry media and social media channels. Bartig develops and facilitates the group’s marketing communications strategy including website, mobile app, email, event, video and print tactics.

Prior to joining Valspar, Bartig’s career includes branding and marketing responsibilities at Cargill Incorporated and Cochlear Americas. She earned an MBA from the University of Denver, Daniels College of Business and a bachelor’s degree in marketing and economics with honors that include Cum Laude, Mu Kappa Tau and the Dean’s List. She moved from Colorado to Minnesota and currently lives in Minneapolis.

 

Valspar supports architects and building industry professionals with industry-leading technical expertise, color-matching and sustainability resources, responsive customer service and high-priority lead times. For more information please call 888.306.2645 or visit www.valsparinspireme.com.

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