Flushing, NY According to national manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems, COO Steve Chen has been named in the Crain's New York Business Magazine March 28 edition to its 2016 40 Under 40 list of top New York area young executives. With literally hundreds of thousands of young executives in New York City and the surrounding area, the selection process is highly competitive and being named to the list is quite an honor. Crain's, the New York metro area's premier weekly business news magazine, was one of the first to introduce the concept of recognizing successful young leaders who are redefining their industries and markets. Crain's 40 Under 40 List was launched nearly 30 years ago and has been replicated by numerous other publications across the country ever since. "Crystal is one of the few remaining true manufacturers in New York City," said Chen. "I'm thrilled the company and I have been selected for this honor by one of the most prestigious business periodicals in the nation." Past recent 40 Under 40 winners include Robert Reffkin, vice president of Goldman Sachs; Kenneth Chenault, executive vice president of American Express; congresswoman Grace Meng; Marissa Shorenstein, president of AT&T in New York State; Jason Ackerman, CEO of Fresh Direct; and Nick Cannon, well known celebrity and president of Ncredible Entertainment Crain's receives over 500 nominees each year for the 40 Under 40 List from a broad spectrum of industries. Reporters for the publication vet nominees as to their professional success, community service and participation in professional and trade groups. Editors and senior reporters then meet to review the results of the vetting process and make the final 40 selections. For more than a decade, Chen has had overall responsibility for the operations of Crystal's growing national family of vinyl and aluminum window companies, its 600 employees and nearly one million square feet of manufacturing space. Born in Taiwan, Steve came to America with his parents at an early age. He grew up in the family window business, working through high school and college wherever needed, on the factory floor making windows, in accounting or even loading trucks. Since taking the helm of the traditional "brick and mortar" manufacturer in 2005, he has grown sales more than 70%, acquired properties and launched production facilities in California and Pennsylvania, expanded distribution to 40 states and added 200 employees. The company's flagship factory in New York City produces nearly 2,000 windows and doors each day. Chen's aggressive adoption of new technology has improved products, operations and grown sales to keep pace with today's demanding construction environment not only in the New York area but also across the nation. Computerized in-house product testing, 3D printing design capabilities, mobile connectivity with all the company's facilities and personnel, website upgrades, social media promotion, and a new multi-million dollar company-wide computer system are just some recent examples of technology Steve and Crystal have incorporated into the national enterprise. Tags: