William M. Yanek, Executive Vice President

As Executive Vice President, Bill Yanek serves as the senior executive leader of GANA.  He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and the University of Kansas School of Law. Licensed to practice law in the State of Kansas, Bill is a member of the Kansas Bar Association and the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). At ASAE, he serves as vice-chair of ASAE's Association Management Company Section Council.

Ashley M. Charest, CAE, MBA, Account Executive

Ashley Charest is the account executive for GANA. Her duties include setting up all educational seminars, conferences, and trade shows, working to increase GANA membership, coordinating Committee meetings for the non-Technical groups, supporting the Glazing Industry Code Committee, and acting as a liaison on behalf of GANA with organizations interested in a cooperative relationship. Ashley graduated from Washburn University in 1999 with a Bachelor's of Arts degree (magna cum laude) in Mass Media with an emphasis in public relations, and she received her Master’s of Business Administration degree from Washburn University in 2006. She gained her Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Washburn University in 2009 and also earned her Certified Association Executive (CAE) in 2010. Ashley is also a Leadership Greater Topeka graduate in 2011.

Urmilla Sowell, PE, Technical Director
Urmilla Sowell is the Technical Director of GANA. She earned both her Bachelor and Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Texas Tech University, Lubbock TX, and is a licensed Professional Engineer.  Urmilla was previously employed by Hurricane Test Laboratory, LLC, where she served as the Assistant Operations Manager after serving as a Test Engineer and Technical Writer for that company. She joined GANA in 2007. She also serves as the GANA liaison for the Protective Glazing Council (PGC).
 

Kim D. Mann, Esquire - General Counsel

GANA's General Counsel is Kim Mann, an attorney in private practice in Washington, D.C. with the firm of Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary.  Kim is a graduate of Yale University (1962) and Vanderbilt Law School (1965). He has served as general counsel of many glass and glazing industry trade associations over the years, starting with the Flat Glass Marketing Association in 1973, now part of the Glass Association of North America.

Carol Land, Office Manager
Carol Land is the Office Manager for GANA.  She has responsibility for maintaining all databases, directories, coordination of mailings, maintenance of records, processing of orders for the various technical publications and processing GANA meeting registrations. Carol has been with GANA since its inception.

Sara Neiswanger, Technical Coordinator
Sara Neiswanger is the Technical Coordinator for GANA. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in marketing and management from Washburn University in May 2006. Professionally, she is a member of the Kansas Society of Association Executives and the American Society of Association Executives. She joined GANA in 2006.