Glass Inc. - Reflections 1999-2019

Robert Smith, as well as his three chidren — Rob, Justin, and Kristen — are actively involved in civic, social justice, youth, and business or- ganizations. Some of the organizations include: Mississippi Children’s Museum, Meridian (MCM) The mission of MCM-Meridian is to provide unparalleled expe- riences that ignite a thirst for discovery, knowl- edge, and learning in all children. The museum will be a place designed especially for “children to be children” —where they can play, discover, learn, and grow; a place where families will have the opportunity to connect in meaningful ways; and a place that will bring the community to- gether to create more and better resources to educate and care for their children. The mu- seum’s exhibits will focus most directly on health and nutrition; lit- eracy; and science, tech- nology, engineering, and math (STEM). Glass, Inc. is a strong sup- porter of the Missis- sippi Children’s Mu s e um-Me r i d i a n . Kristen Smith serves as the vice president of fundraising. Together, Kristen and Robert have helped raise over $300,000 for the museum. Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national construc- tion industry trade association representing more than 21,000 chapter members. Founded on the shared belief that con- struction projects should be awarded on merit to the most qualified and responsible low bidders, the Mississippi chapter was founded in 1973 and is one of the largest ABC chapters in the nation. Glass, Inc. has been a member of ABC since it opened its doors in 1999. ABC provides a perfect way to network with others in our industry through social gatherings, continuing education courses, leadership programs, summer convention, and most recently the Young Professionals group. Kristen Smith, Glass, Inc.’s director of communications/public rela- tions, is the 2019 ABC Young Professionals chair and serves on the ABC board. This year Kristen and the Young Professionals group cre- ated a student membership for construction students at both USM and MSU in order to network and help give the students knowledge about the industry. The ABC Young Professionals raised $1,200 for MCM- Meridian as well as $5,400 for the Magnolia Speech School in Jackson. Robert Smith currently serves on the ABC Executive Committee, and will serve as ABC chairman in 2023. He will also serve on the ABC National Board of Directors from 2022-2024. Building Construction Science (BCS) program at MSU. The Build- ing Construction Science degree program at MSU, one of just two studio- based construction pro- grams in the nation, is designed to prepare gradu- ates for careers in construc- tion or construction-related fields through an immer- sive, integrative, collabora- tive, and transformational education. Robert Smith helped start the Building Construction Science pro- gram in 2007 and currently serves as chairman of the advisory board. Justin Smith was in the first graduating class of the new program in 2011 and serves on the advisory board. Both Robert and Justin have been involved in the BCS program accreditation. Robert has taught a curtain wall class to the students, and Glass, Inc. sent a crew to the univeristy in the summer of 2018 to help the stu- dents build a small house, where they learned first hand about installing curtain wall systems. Glass, Inc. also hires summer interns from the BCS program. Meridian Community College Foundation Board Robert has served on the MCC Foundation Board for 17 years and currently serves as president. The board is the fundraising arm of the college that supports various programs, including the tuition guarantee program. Over the past 17 years, the board has raised over $25 million. On Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019, Robert Smith was named MCC Honoree of the Year. The American Subcontractors Association (ASA) promotes and protects the rights and interests of subcontractors and suppliers by building strength in community through education, legislation, net- working and professional growth. Kristen Smith serves on the busi- ness development committee and the board of directors of ASA. Glass, Inc. has been influential in membership development through- out the state. COMMUNITY AND INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT “One of the joys of working on the MCM-Meridian campaign has been getting to know our leaders; Robert Smith and Kristen Smith and the Glass, Inc. family are some of the finest examples of leadership in Mississippi. They have selflessly and joyfully poured themselves into bettering our community. They have shared their time, talents, and resources serving as integral members of our team to ensure we realize the transformational resources of the Mississippi Children’s Museum for East Mississippi. Congratulations on 20 years of success, and here’s to the next 20 years.” Elizabeth Wilson, MCM-Meridian Executive Director Cody Crane and Kristen Smith with the ABC Young Professionals’ check for $1,200 in support of the Mississippi Children’s Museum, Meridian Glass, Inc. participated in the MCM-Meridian’s “Take Flight Mississippi” challenge. In honor of their 20-year anniversary, Glass, Inc. donated $20,000 to the museum. Robert and Kristen Smith are leaders in the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). Meridian Community College President, Dr. Thomas Huebner, Jr. presents Robert Smith the MCC Honoree of the Year Award. (Above and below) Justin and Robert Smith teach classes at MSU’s Building and Construction Science program. 141