Terry Schaefer is Vice President of Administrative Management Systems, Inc. (AMS) based in Sackets Harbor, New York. Since 1998, AMS has coordinated certification and inspection programs in the glass and fenestration industry. AMS serves as an independent third party to the products, processes, services, companies, and people it certifies. Impartiality and trust are hallmarks of the operation.
Terry joined AMS in 2013 and was named to the C-suite in 2022. He holds a degree in organizational leadership and supervision from Purdue University. His credentials include a Six Sigma Green Belt and Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE) certification. Terry is passionate about construction quality in the glazing industry and has helped lead and grow North America’s only certification programs for glazing installers – North American Contractor Certification (NACC) for glazing subcontractor companies and Architectural Glass & Metal Technician (AGMT) certification for glazing installation personnel. Read more at GlazingCertification.com.
In the following Q&A, Terry shares more about the two certification programs, why quality matters in glazing installation, and how building owners can take advantage of credentialed teammates to build better, smarter, and more efficient buildings.
Glazing | Your organization has been instrumental in improving construction quality in the glazing industry. What’s glazing and why is it a critical part of construction?
Glazing comprises all of the glass elements of a building – from windows and exterior façade systems to interior wall partitions between offices. Because so much of glazing installation involves the building envelope – it has the potential to impact every other building system. For example, windows that leak could damage the structure, cause mold that impacts indoor air quality, or create drafts that make occupants uncomfortable. Glazing installed correctly not only looks beautiful but can mean long-term energy efficiency, reduced utility expenses, and improved building performance – things that everyone from owners to occupants care about.
AMS | Administrative Management Systems, Inc. manages and administers North America’s only two certifications for glazing installation. What are these certifications and why are they important?
The Architectural Glass & Metal Technician (AGMT) personnel certification program recognizes individual glazing installers (usually called glaziers) for their knowledge, skills, and abilities. Individuals pass a rigorous series of written and hands-on tests to earn the credential. The North American Contractor Certification (NACC) program recognizes glazing contractors for both business practices and construction methodology. Contractors undergo office and jobsite assessments of their work, financial data, and business operations to earn certification. Our team of assessors travels across the country to validate information and activities.
Through certification of companies and people, the two programs work in tandem to mitigate construction risk by ensuring glazing is installed as designed. They give peace of mind to owners and security to the entire design and construction team that projects with AGMT and NACC teammates will be completed safely, efficiently, and with the highest quality commitment.
Certifications | What should building owners know about the AGMT and NACC programs?
Today’s projects can be complex and multifaced, utilizing the latest in technology and requiring the utmost attention to detail, yet also relying on the hands, knowledge, and skill of a tradesperson to carry out correctly – it’s these factors that can contribute to failures in the field. Owners who want their glazing projects to be built as the architect designed, and who expect quality and craftsmanship, can have that with AGMT and NACC. AGMT and NACC take away the risk factor because they validate people and companies who abide by the highest standards in the industry. An owner can require that AGMT and NACC credentials be held by the glazing installers on their construction teams. They can do this in two ways – by encouraging their architect to add the credentials to their specifications, and by encouraging their general contractor or construction manager to uphold the specification by hiring certified installers. It costs nothing to specify a certified installation team, but the value-add can be priceless.
Career | How did you get involved with certifications for glazing?
I joined AMS as a quality assurance manager, after spending several years in quality control and fabrication engineering for the RV industry. I’ve been involved with the AGMT and NACC programs since they began, working with partners from across the construction industry to make the certifications meaningful. I also spearheaded the effort to get both programs credentialed by ANAB, the ANSI National Accreditation Board, further recognizing their value and objectivity.
Growth | How has your team been instrumental in program growth?
The AMS team has reached beyond the construction community to legislators across the country to articulate the value of these programs and credentials. In June 2023, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee signed a bill requiring certain public works projects be completed by glazing contractors certified by the NACC program. The companies must also employ at least one glazier certified under the AGMT program. The law took effect in 2024.
We have personnel in the field across the U.S. and Canada, talking to stakeholders at construction industry events, legislative affairs meetings, and in contractor offices. Both programs have grown rapidly since the initiative began in 2015, with certified contractors in 22 states and Canada and over 1,800 certified glaziers. We continue to network and share the value in hopes that other states follow Rhode Island’s lead. We were very proud that the International Risk Management Institute, Inc. (IRMI) awarded NACC its Horizon Award for commitment to improving construction risk management.
Recent Advancements | AMS recently launched a new website, GlazingCertification.com. Tell us about the strategy behind the new site.
Our strategy for the new site aims to show how better glazing installation quality can impact so many stakeholders. Prior to the launch of GlazingCertification.com in October 2024, the AGMT and NACC programs each had separate websites. The sites were geared toward people and companies considering certification, but they didn’t provide much information for other members of the construction industry or the general public. The new website explains how the programs are connected and offers many resources to share the value of hiring certified glazing installation teams. Building owners can read case studies. Construction managers can access information about hiring credentialed glazing contractors. Architects can access certification language for their specifications. And everyone can read more about the AMS team behind the certifications – from our test proctors and field assessors to the program managers and IT professionals who keep everything running smoothly. We’re all committed to making a real difference.
