With heavy hearts, we announce Bob Linford’s plans to retire from Giroux Glass at the end of this month. Although he’ll be leaving his most recent role as vice president of California operations, Bob has worked with us for 15 years, in various roles and over several stints.
Bob literally grew up in the business, starting at the age of seven, in his dad’s company, Linford Brothers Glass, in Ogden, Utah. Since then, Bob has put in a good 50 years in the industry, except during his years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He started with Giroux Glass as a project manager in 2003, then also became an estimator. In 2004 Bob was promoted to general manager, where his keen ability to problem solve and maximize efficiencies greatly contributed to unprecedented operational profit. In 2008, Bob left to seek greener pastures, but returned within four years, recognizing that the other side of the fence was decidedly over-rated and simply not Giroux. He has managed operations in our California locations ever since, including the installation of a fabrication facility in San Bernardino and new offices in Fresno and Orange County.
Part of the reason Bob returned to the company in 2011 was for the culture here at Giroux. He missed the people, what he describes as what he’s loved most about working here. “The Giroux culture is why I have stayed here so long. It starts and is maintained at the top.”
The years have not passed without significant challenges. Some of the biggest hurdles Bob has experienced have been the company’s recovery from the “Great Recession” and the financial crisis then in Las Vegas due to CityCenter; two major technology system overhauls, and in just this past year, a global pandemic and a glaziers’ union strike. All challenges tested Bob’s resilience and proved his ability to persevere.
Bob also recalls some of the exceptional projects on which he feels fortunate to have worked. “One of my favorites was in in downtown LA, in 2005 or 2006, at 717 Olympic: ‘Fig & Oly,’ as we called it. I estimated and negotiated it – then assigned it to a PM, and managed that PM,” he recalls. “It was a big job that the company really needed at the time and ended up a little better than on-budget . . . a nice 21-story curtainwall project.”
A few other favorite projects are more recent: the Jurassic World ride at Universal Studios, with its jumbo oversized glass, and the UCLA Anderson School of Business, and in particular, its unique atrium. (UCLA was one project that contributed to our award for the ENR California “Specialty Contractor of the Year, 2020.)
Related Link: Get a video tour of Bob’s vintage glazing tool collection in Toolbox Talk with Bob Linford.
Bob will watch from afar the completion of another pet project, the current Pacific Life renovation project in Newport Beach. “I’ve been involved deeply in that job from initial bid through design, demolition and into construction. It’s a fun and different job because no plans or specs existed — the job has many unique features and details. It’s quite an effort. The entire project is based upon our replacing old window systems which were vinyl, clad steel windows — the likes of which I have never seen before.” That’s something we don’t hear often from Bob, in reference to any type of window.
CEO and president, Nataline Lomedico, says, “It’s been a pleasure working with Bob and watching him enthusiastically mentor others. His wit, humor and knowledge have inspired others to want to learn. My heart is full knowing that Bob, a man of great integrity and passion for the glazing trade, will leave a piece of himself with so many of us here at Giroux. He is a rare gem indeed!”
When asked why now seems to be the right time to step away, he explains that his wife, Cindy, has been eager for him to retire for the past few years. An upcoming milestone birthday was another motivator for him — not that we’re keeping track. It’s clear that we will be saying goodbye to one of the most experienced and knowledgeable experts in glazing. And it’s as clear as the glass on a newly installed curtain wall that he will be missed — a lot — by so many. You’ll be gone but never forgotten, Bob.