Glazing Coordinator Joe McGee retires after 38-year career

Left to Right: N. Amadio, J. Lepone, J. McGee, M. Fox, S. Metzger

Glaziers Local Union 252 member Joe McGee is retiring after an exemplary 38 year career, 18 of which served as Glazing Coordinator at the Finishing Trades Institute of the Mid-Atlantic Region. McGee used his experience as a glazier to guide the 4-year apprenticeship curriculum to ensure apprentices were exposed to all aspects of the ever-evolving trade, recognizing advances in safety and technology along the way.

McGee worked with several creative teammates over the years including Matt Fox, International Finishing Trades Institute Specialist, Steve Metzger, GLU252 Glazing Coordinator, Neil Amadio Jr. GLU252 Glazing Instructor, Jimmy Lepone (retired), and dozens of dedicated part-time instructors and AGMA employer trustees who give of their time and expertise to ensure our workforce is prepared to meet the demands of the job.

During his tenure, and via the collaboration with his team, McGee has been a part of innovative changes to the way glazing is taught to apprentices today. For example, recognizing the technology-driven lives of today’s students, McGee and his teammates designed and built a program to meet students where they are – logging countless hours creating and uploading curriculum, videos, documents, and assignments into tablets so students can learn in a format with which they are familiar. Beyond that, McGee and his team helped bring virtual reality to apprentices, allowing  welding to be learned in an environment where mistakes do not have real-world health/safety implications. But perhaps most importantly, McGee and his partners spent what amounts to years of time contributing to the creation of the Architectural Glass & Metal Technician Program. Because of the capacity of the FTI’s glazing program here in our region, we currently lead the nation with over 146 certified AGMT glaziers, more than any other area in the nation.

AGMA would be remiss not to recognize McGee accomplished these milestones with a sense of humor, rhythm, and upper body strength that is unparalleled (he can do some push ups!). Thank you for all you’ve done Joe, AGMA and the FTI will take what you have built and continue to build, and always with you in mind. Enjoy retirement friend!

Joe McGee, Glazing Coordinator receives award thanking him for 38 years of service from Mike Laughlin, Business Manager of Glaziers Local Union 252.