After 49-plus years in the industry, there cannot be many of us who do not know who Bruce Cooke is. Bruce entered the industry back in 1975 at Glaverbel Glass Ltd. Bruce began working in the industry as seasonal glass fabrication help at the age of sixteen. He worked throughout high school and subsidized his university tuition by returning to the glass fabrication floor each year.

Bruce then transitioned to the contract glazing segment, working initially as a metal mechanic/glazing apprentice, before transitioning into estimating and project management. He then returned to the glass fabrication segment as a Sales Representative. Bruce was privileged to join Dolores Primo, Ivan Martintoni, and Larry Vary in starting up a new entity, Armourguard Glass Products (which became what is now Oldcastle Toronto). He moved into Operations, assuming the GM role at AFG London, and returning to Oldcastle in the same role five years later.

Bruce joined Guardian Industries in 2005 as Sales Manager for the Ontario fabrication divisions. Two years later, he was promoted to the role of Director, North American Fabrication, overseeing divisions across Canada and the United States. Upon the sale of the Fabrication Divisions by Guardian, Bruce was promoted to Regional Sales Manager, Float Sales for Canada, and the Northeast United States. In 2017, Bruce left Guardian to join Saand as Director of Sales. He later joined Glassopolis as VP, Sales, giving him exposure to a new segment of the industry – fire-rated products. He was then asked by Toro leadership to join Commdoor as Regional Sales Manager.

Now I know many of you in the room were not even born in 1975. I first met Bruce back in 1993 when he was my sales manager for Armourguard Glass. Bruce and many of the firms he has been part of have been great supporters of OGMA, and we thank him for his continued support over the years. Please join me in celebrating Bruce Cooke’s Lifetime Achievement. Congratulations, Bruce.

2024 Spring Bursary Award

Joel Scott was awarded the 2024 Spring Bursary Award. Scott couldn’t attend, so Architectural Glass and Metal Contractors Association executive director, Noel Marsella, accepted the award on his behalf.

Here is what OGMA President Steven Ringler had to say about the honour:

Joel was selected by the training staff of the Ontario Industrial & Finishing Skills Centre to receive a joint $1,000.00 bursary from the Ontario Glass & Metal Association and the Architectural Glass and Metal Contractors Association. Our two associations have decided to give back to the glazing trade for the most outstanding apprentice for the term. James Clifford and Mike Pentz, your instructors, selected you for your positive attitude to learn the trade and for helping tutor other apprentices with their work assignments. You have also been recognized for completing the advanced class with a 92.83% grade average. Joel also obtained a Certificate of Qualification as an Architectural Glass and Metal Technician. Congratulations, Joel, on being selected as Glazing Apprentice Honour Student for the term. Keep up the good work.