Crystal Windows executives expand roles

According to Crystal Window & Door Systems, Steve Chen, the company's executive VP, will also assume the title of COO. This promotion reflects his expanded role, directing all the critical operations of the company. Crystal founder and president Thomas Chen assumes the title of CEO. Crystal Windows, a national manufacturer of vinyl and aluminum products, has numerous production and sales operations throughout the country. Since joining the company's executive ranks in 2005, Steve Chen has dramatically expanded his scope of responsibility for the general operations of the company. In addition to running all the New York-based main production and headquarters operations, he directs Crystal's branch offices and national sales organization, and provides oversight for the window and door production facility in Chicago. Steve is also president of Crystal Extrusions, the company's wholly owned aluminum extrusion subsidiary, and he coordinates operations with an affiliated manufacturer in California. Steve currently serves as president of the 100-member Northeast Window & Door Association and as a Board member of a New York Federal Reserve Bank Advisory Council. Steve's fenestration and general business expertise has led him to be a much sought-after presenter at many conferences and in recent years also to be a judge for Window & Door Magazine's national annual industry achievement award program. Despite the challenging economic times, Steve has driven company and subsidiary sales to new heights, closing 2013 with double-digit percentage increases. He has championed environmentally responsible practices throughout the company, introduced new business technologies, improved Crystal's energy efficient products and targeted new markets and trade customer-relationship building for long term company growth. Thomas Chen launched Crystal Window & Door Systems in 1990 and with his entrepreneurial spirit has led company growth and expansion, with products now distributed in over 35 states nationally. In his new CEO role, Thomas will focus primarily on strategic initiatives related to new markets, manufacturing expansion plans, entrepreneurial ventures into related industries and overseas activities. In 2012, he established a fenestration manufacturing operation in California to serve the southern West Coast market, and continues to explore opportunities for related new endeavors serving the design and construction market.