Workforce
The Glass & Metal Alliance (formerly AGI) member workforce includes architectural glass and metal workers of District Council 21, Local Union 252. The highly skilled, educated, and safe workforce was built on quality, pride, and progressive training. Many hold the prestigious Architectural Glass and Metal Technician (AGMT) certification, acknowledging their skills, knowledge, and craftsmanship. Glass & Metal Alliance members lead the nation in AGMT certifications. In addition, we were proud to announce we were the first area in the country to require AGMT certification of our workforce in order to achieve the master designation of ‘mechanic.’
Berardo Flores
El Salvador Native and Glazier Since 2003
“I learn something from each brother and sister, it doesn’t matter if the member is an apprentice or a 30-year veteran.”
Read SpotlightGiana Branda
AGMT Certified, 3rd Generation Glazier
“I want to be known for having certifications and working hard, not just for being a girl in the union.”
Read Spotlight2021 Apprentice Graduation
36 Individuals Earn Degrees
“I’m confident when I step on the job site because I was so well prepared by the training center.”
Read SpotlightIan Williams
AGMT Certified Glazier
“If you’re ready for a career that you can make a great living at, if you like working with your hands and being outside, [glazing is] a career that can take you places.”
Read SpotlightMatt Fineran
AGMT Certified Glazier & Foreman
“If you learn a trade, you’ll always have that. You can do anything you want with it.”
Read Spotlight2021 Student Design Competition
AGI & Jefferson Partner for 5th Annual Challenge
“Thank you for giving me and my peers the opportunity to learn more about such an essential material.”
Read SpotlightRichard D’Adamo, II
AGMT Certified Glazier & Foreman
“What you lack in knowledge, you have to make up for in hustle.”
Read SpotlightAlexander Still
AGMT Certified Glazier & Foreman
“If you want to be somebody or make something of yourself, I would really encourage a young person to give [glazing] a shot.”
Read SpotlightJames Coppola
Project Manager, FTI Instructor & Award Winner
“I can teach anyone what to do, but I can’t teach a positive attitude. That has to come from inside.”
Read SpotlightTureka Dixon
FTI Instructor & AGMT Certified Glazier
“I work with some great girls and guys and it’s just a sense of family. I don’t think you get that in most work settings."
Read SpotlightNick Stricker
General Foreman & DC21 Delegate
“I always liked working with my hands. I knew I wasn’t a stuck-in-the-office kind of guy.”
Read SpotlightChris Synder
Executive Board Member & DC21 Delegate
“Because we know each other, and because we’re tight knit, we all want the best for each other. It’s something I’m really proud to be part of.”
Read Spotlight2020 Student Design Competition
AGI & Jefferson Partner for 4th Annual Challenge
“I definitely feel more comfortable and more willing to incorporate and explore glazing systems within my future designs.”
Read SpotlightMichael Russell
Foreman and Health & Safety Instructor
“College wasn’t for me, but glazing is another avenue where you can make good money, earn a pension, and it’s not a bad living.”
Read SpotlightJoe Wojtkielewicz
Journeyperson; Part of First FTI Grad Class
“It gives you a sense of pride to know you were part of something you can see, something that holds value.”
Read SpotlightCurtainwall Boot Camp
Dialogue & Customized Hands-On Instruction
“Being able to build a curtainwall from scratch with the guidance of experienced professionals provided me so much insight.”
Read SpotlightPatrick O’Connor
2019 Apprentice of the Year
“We all want projects to get done well and we’re consummate professionals.”
Read SpotlightKenny Hopkins, III
Journeyperson Glazier & Deputy Fire Chief
“Give 100 percent effort 100 percent of the time and you’ll make it.”
Read SpotlightPat Carroll
Journeyperson Glazier with 20+ Years of Experience
“It seems like the Philly local is leading by example.”
Read SpotlightAGMT Certification
Propelling Glaziers Forward in a Competitive World
“I view the AGMT certification as the mark of a true professional glazier. An AGMT certification means quality craftsmanship and integrity of work performed.”
Read SpotlightMatt Bradley
Foreman & Apprentice of the Year 1998
“Show up every day, pay attention, do what you’re supposed to do, and you won’t have to worry about anything.”
Read SpotlightBrian Keilman
Operations Manager & Apprentice of the Year 2009
“The mutual respect you’ve earned from working side by side translates from field to office.”
Read Spotlight2019 Student Design Competition
AGI & Jefferson Partner for 3rd Annual Challenge
“Any time [students] can connect to industry, engage with individuals in a client role, and work with real-world constraints, it adds an extra dimension to the academic experience.”
Read SpotlightJim Steiner, Jr.
Steward, Union Treasurer & 20+ Year Glazier
“As a steward, I have to be on top of things.”
Read SpotlightChristopher Bloom
Apparel Designer & Award Winner
“It’s exciting to see the members wearing something you’ve worked on. I’m honored to have the position and take a lot of pride in it.”
Read SpotlightBrian Ford
Shop Steward & Foreman
“If someone has an issue and doesn’t want to go to a superior, they can come to me and I can guide them in a better direction or get them to the right hands.”
Read SpotlightDion Frasca
Safety Representative & Competent Person
“The type of work I’m doing, it’s building America. As the years have gone by, I can say, ‘I worked on that’ for some really important projects.”
Read SpotlightFinishing Trades Institute Update
Building a more diverse, motivated workforce
“Career and technical education programs are now more important than ever as we find alternatives to the traditional four-year college and the inherent debt that comes with it.”
Read SpotlightKendra Battle
Journeyperson Glazier
“We make remarkable buildings. We build serious relationships. I trust [my coworkers] with my life.”
Read SpotlightMike Hagan
Glazier for 30 Years, Longtime Softball Coach
“When you work with good people, it makes it easy to go into work every day.”
Read Spotlight2018 Student Design Competition
AGI & Jefferson Partner for 2nd Annual Challenge
“There were a number of proposals that aimed to push the boundaries of the material (glass) in terms of fabrication and installation.”
Read SpotlightBo Ostrowski
Shop Foreman & Steward
“I use algebra every single day. If you don’t know math, this isn’t the job for you.”
Read SpotlightTito Rosado
1993 Apprentice & 2009 Glazier of the Year
“My second family is the glaziers of Local 252. Over the years, they have treated me like their own son. I couldn’t do it without them.”
Read SpotlightMERGE
2017 Design-Build Architecture & Glazing Team
“I saw MERGE as an opportunity to get exposed to a deeper level of the design process.”
Read SpotlightJoe Valecce
Shop Steward & Executive Board Member
“I like doing something different every day, being outside, and working with the guys side by side.”
Read SpotlightDana Gaeta
Glazier, Boxer & Tech Volunteer
“I like that I’m actually building America.”
Read SpotlightGerard Kots, Jr.
Union Steward & 2003 Apprentice of the Year
“I like to give back and see the younger guys succeed.”
Read SpotlightChristopher Kushner
Shop Foreman, FTI Instructor & Former Marine
“Aside from the Marine Corps, this is my favorite job. I love every day I go to work.”
Read SpotlightEdward Paley, Jr.
Foreman, Competent Person & Safety Advocate
“It’s something I have a passion for. I want to see our guys go home at the end of the day.”
Read SpotlightWilliam Keebler
Foreman & 2015 Glazier of the Year
“Learning your trade to the best of your ability will ensure you have the most success in the future.”
Read SpotlightRoberto Rios, Jr.
FTI Instructor & 2003 Leadership Award Winner
“On my first day of teaching each week, I give a shout-out to the guys I had the opportunity to work with. They made me who I am today.”
Read SpotlightDavid Tomczak
Project Manager & FTI Instructor
“I started at a time when the industry was very busy. I got to learn a lot of different things relatively fast.”
Read SpotlightJimmy Blocker
2011 Glazier of the Year
“The guys you meet look out for each other. We have a tight-knit family in this union.”
Read SpotlightNeil Amadio
Third-Generation Glazier, Steward & Teacher
“Teaching is about building friendships, too. I consider all the guys I’ve taught my friends.”
Read SpotlightMichael Cerasi
Project Manager & FTI Instructor
“Learn everything you can. Take every opportunity given to you.”
Read SpotlightSuzi Person
First Woman Shop Steward
“I always want to learn more. If I don’t know an answer, I’ll be proactive to find out.”
Read SpotlightDoug Drysdale
2014 Apprentice of the Year
“It’s hands-down the best decision I’ve made to be a part of FTI and this local.”
Read SpotlightSteve Metzger
2012 Apprentice of the Year
“It’s rarely one guy doing anything. It’s all about teamwork, and that’s a cool aspect to this work.”
Read SpotlightFinishing Trades Institute
Where Quality Education is Priority #1
“The FTI programs and learning environment produce some of the best journeypersons, supervisors, and project managers in North America.”
Read Spotlight