MITER Brands Deepens Florida Roots with Key Board Appointment

FORT MYERS, FL – April 14, 2026 – MITER Brands, a prominent national residential window and door manufacturer, has solidified its commitment to regional industry leadership with the appointment of Chris Curwood, Plant Manager of its Fort Myers facility, to the board of the Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association (SRMA). The move signals a strategic effort to influence policy, foster economic growth, and address the pressing workforce challenges facing Florida's manufacturing sector.

Curwood, a veteran with 25 years at the company, will begin his two-year term on the 15-member board on March 1, 2026. His appointment places a key operational leader from one of the region's largest employers at the table where critical decisions about the future of local manufacturing are made. The SRMA is a vital organization tasked with providing manufacturers with resources for growth, building talent pipelines, and serving as a unified voice in government advocacy.

“Chris’ appointment is not only a reflection of his individual expertise, but of our company’s longstanding commitment to industry leadership,” said Chris Davis, Vice President of Operations at MITER Brands. This move is seen by industry observers as a significant step in aligning corporate leadership with regional economic development goals.

A Strategic Push for Regional Influence

Curwood's appointment is not an isolated event but part of a broader, deliberate strategy by MITER Brands to embed its leadership within Florida's key manufacturing corridors. This move complements the ongoing service of Chris Ruff, Senior Director of Operations for PGT Custom Windows and Doors (part of the MITER Brands portfolio), who currently sits on the board of the Sarasota-Manatee Area Manufacturers Association (SAMA). Together, these two appointments give MITER Brands a significant voice in shaping industry standards and advocacy efforts across a large and economically vital portion of the state.

Both SRMA and SAMA share a core mission: to advance manufacturing to improve the quality of life in their communities. They focus on peer-to-peer networking, connecting members with resources, and, most critically, workforce development. By having representation on both boards, MITER Brands can help guide a coordinated approach to shared challenges, from supply chain logistics to talent acquisition.

Rob Harris, Executive Director of SAMA, highlighted the value of this deep engagement. “It is a privilege to have PGT Custom Windows and Doors represented on both the Sarasota-Manatee and Southwest Regional Manufacturing Association’s board of directors,” he stated. “As one of the region’s largest and most successful manufacturing employers, PGT brings significant value to the associations and its members. Their willingness to open their doors and share best practices exemplifies the benefits of membership. PGT’s board participation ensures their expertise helps guide the associations’ direction and advance our mission.”

From Plant Floor to Policy Board

Chris Curwood brings a wealth of ground-level, operational expertise to his new strategic role. His 25-year tenure at PGT Custom Windows and Doors, which was acquired by MITER Brands, saw him advance through a series of increasingly responsible positions, including Field Service Manager, Director of Manufacturing, and Operations Manager. This extensive experience provides him with a deep, practical understanding of the entire manufacturing lifecycle, from product development to service.

In his current role as Plant Manager in Fort Myers, Curwood oversees a team of more than 1,200 members and has a proven record of improving both safety and efficiency. Under his leadership, the facility has implemented significant process improvements, such as reconfiguring production lines with new lift-assist systems to safely handle the larger and heavier impact-resistant window and door systems popular in the region. This hands-on knowledge of modern manufacturing challenges—from ergonomics and safety to process flow and capacity management—makes him an invaluable asset to the SRMA board.

“Joining the SRMA board provides a valuable opportunity for me to become better acquainted with the Fort Myers manufacturing landscape,” Curwood said. “I’m looking forward to supporting efforts that ensure Florida’s manufacturing industry has a strong voice in government, particularly around grants, training, certifications, and other important initiatives.” His journey from managing factory operations to influencing regional policy exemplifies a powerful trend of leveraging practical expertise to solve systemic industry problems.

Tackling a Critical Workforce Crisis

Perhaps the most critical area where Curwood’s expertise will be applied is in addressing Southwest Florida's acute manufacturing workforce crisis. The state's manufacturing sector is grappling with a significant demographic challenge: more than half of its current workforce is 45 years or older, creating a looming talent cliff as experienced workers approach retirement. Compounding this is a pronounced skills gap, with employers struggling to find applicants with the necessary foundational skills, such as critical thinking and basic math, let alone specialized technical abilities like CNC programming or blueprint reading.

Curwood's role on the SRMA board places him at the forefront of tackling this issue. The association's strategic priorities are heavily focused on workforce development, including building robust talent pipelines by connecting manufacturers with local educational institutions. Initiatives like the Industrial Manufacturing Technician (IMT) Apprenticeship program and partnerships with organizations like the FutureMakers Coalition are central to this effort. These programs aim to attract new talent, upskill incumbent workers, and create clear career pathways within the manufacturing industry.

By contributing his company's insights into the real-world skills needed on the factory floor, Curwood can help ensure that training programs, certifications, and educational curricula are directly aligned with employer needs. This collaboration is essential to closing the skills gap and securing a sustainable talent pipeline that can support the industry's continued growth and increasing reliance on automation and advanced technology.

A Legacy of Industry and Community Engagement

This board appointment is a natural extension of MITER Brands' long-standing corporate culture, which emphasizes leadership, responsibility, and community investment. The company's commitment extends far beyond its factory walls, as evidenced by its robust safety mentorship programs and the charitable work of The MITER Foundation. Since its inception, the foundation has raised over $36.5 million and its team members have volunteered thousands of hours for causes supporting veterans, children's health, and local communities.

This holistic approach is what Chris Davis, the company's VP of Operations, refers to when he speaks of a commitment to shaping the industry. “We’re incredibly proud to have multiple team members across our brands serving on association boards and playing an active role in shaping things like Florida’s building and hurricane codes,” Davis explained. “Being at the table where important decisions are made allows us to lead responsibility, advocate for innovation and safety, and help propel our industry forward.”

Ultimately, Chris Curwood's appointment to the SRMA board is more than a personnel announcement; it is a clear indicator of MITER Brands' deep-seated strategy to actively invest in the health and future of the manufacturing ecosystem where it operates. By contributing leadership, expertise, and resources, the company is helping to build a stronger, more resilient industry for the entire Southwest Florida region.