Steve Chen takes up new role at Crystal Window.

Crystal window & door systems. recently named Steve Chen, son of company founder Thomas Chen, as executive vice president of company operations.

The title represents a significant promotion for Steve, and the transition from the company's founder to the next family generation. To facilitate further transformation of the firm, seasoned executives are being brought on board.

As executive vice president, Steve Chen now directs the efficient integration of sales and marketing strategy with production and customer service for the parent company and its domestic fenestration subsidiaries. This move enables the company's founder, entrepreneur Thomas Chen, to focus more on business development opportunities overseas, direct Crystal's international subsidiaries and explore a wide range of innovative building products.

Steve Chen has already acquired a significant background in window manufacturing and installation.

"I grew up in the business," he said. "As a child, I helped out at the factory on Saturdays, in the office or accompanying my father to customer business meetings. In high school and college, I worked each summer wherever I was needed, on the factory floor making windows, helping in accounting or with computers, even loading trucks. I got to see the entire business, from every department."

The challenge for any family-owned and operated business that grows from the entrepreneurial stage to a larger corporation is how to manage the growth carefully, create a well-functioning organization structure and plan for succession and continual growth. Especially difficult can be the transition from the first generation, the entrepreneur that started the business, to the second generation that will manage the established company.

"These types of transitions don't take place overnight," explained Thomas Chen. "We want to move thoughtfully and put in place the right skills and experience to effect the changes we envision."

To assist with its transition, Crystal engaged David Ewing, a seasoned manufacturing industry executive with experience in the building products industry at the CEO level. Ewing was previously with Four Seasons Sunrooms, Rockwell International and other industry leaders. His role is to facilitate change and provide guidance for Thomas, Steve and other senior personnel. The transition has progressed well for the past several months: the first phase has been to establish Steve and David Ewing as "co-leaders," jointly running operations and collaborating on major decisions. In the next phase of transition, Steve will take more of the lead, with David continuing to provide consulting and guidance.

Steve graduated with a degree in economics from Penn State University. Upon graduation, he worked with First Union Asset Management as leader of a team of investment account managers. While there, he was responsible for portfolio accounting, working with pension and investment plan brokers and their customers and honing his skills in client relations.

"I always knew I would return to Crystal, but I wanted some experience in other businesses first," he said.

Steve joined Crystal as a project manager in 2003, gaining experience in marketing, sales, accounting, product design, aluminum extrusion and manufacturing processes, before taking his current role over the entire window and door operation.

Crystal is establishing a team of senior management personnel, essential to give the company a solid organization structure with experience and skills. It will also provide the framework for Crystal's continued growth in the future. The company is expecting to announce more information on senior personnel appointments in the coming months.