MEDFORD, WI (Feb. 17, 2006) - The single, resounding refrain of three new top-level Hurd Windows & Doors employees is the same: "The opportunity to be a part of something with such potential was just too hard to resist." With decades experience in the window industry, they each knew the sound of opportunity knocking. So it is with great personal and corporate pride that Hurd announces the hiring of Stu Brown as Director of Customer Relations, Val Brushaber as Product Certification Manager and Darrell Diederich as Director of National and International Accounts, all effective immediately.

"Stu, Val and Darrell are crucial elements in building Hurd's winning team," said Dominic Truniger, Hurd Windows & Doors general manager. "Their deep experience within the industry, professional integrity and talent is just what Hurd needs to push forward. We look for dynamic leadership from each and are equally excited about the opportunities for future growth."

For their part, Brown, Brushaber and Diederich each expressed great respect for Hurd's current leadership, stating it was their personal belief and desire to be part of a company on the move. Both Brown and Diederich have previous experience working with current Hurd employees such as Truniger. They all knew the chemistry was there and it didn't take long to see tremendous potential at Hurd. "I just want to be involved in this dynamic company with tremendous growth potential," said Brown. "It excites me to be an active, influential participant in Hurd's future."

For more on each individual new hire:

Director of Customer Relations Stu Brown:
The newest Hurd employee is Director of Customer Relations Stu Brown who started Feb. 1. Hurd is Brown's third window company, having most recently left SNE Enterprises. With over 21 years in the fenestration business, Brown has built an impressive career handling customer relations. He's worked all aspects of it from order processing, pricing, special quotes and resolving customer complaints. Throughout it all, Brown says he's smiling every day he's been at Hurd.

"I'm just excited to be here and to be a part of this growing company," he said. "I truly believe customer service is what will set Hurd apart from all other window manufacturers. Hurd's management is committed to improving on every level and to delivering excellence every day. I'm excited to be an active participant."

Brown left SNE Enterprises as manager of field operations. He started in the window industry at Pella, working in the custom products division. It didn't take him long, however, to realize his true passion. He started handling customer service at Pella by 1986. He's been working in the area ever since.

"Stu is a professional who leads by example, " said Truniger, who first got to know Brown while working at SNE. "He's excellent at overseeing functional areas and extremely experienced in running sales support functions. He always gets the job done right and on time. He embodies Hurd's attitude of perfection."

Product Certification Manager Val Brushaber:
Taking over one of the most critical growth areas for Hurd is Val Brushaber. As product certification manager, it is Brushaber's responsibility to secure certification for all new Hurd products. "Impact is where it's at and there's no one better at understanding ever-changing codes or the certification process than Val," said Truniger. "Impact continues to be a primary focus for us, so Val will be at the forefront of our product development process."

Brushaber comes to Hurd with 25 years experience at WeatherShield. "I'm locally grown so the window industry is what I know," she jokes. She's been testing windows and doors for performance since 1997 and says much has changed in nine years. "There just weren't many requirements when I first got into testing," she said. "Impact wasn't an issue. Today, however, it is front and center. DP ratings have become selling points. The challenge now is to stay ahead of the curve or the next code change."

Brushaber's involvement in professional associations puts her in a unique forward-thinking position. She currently serves as vice president of the door council, a voting member of the Certification Policy Committee as well as the Board Research Committee and Codes & Regulatory Committee at the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA). In these roles, Brushaber often has advance warning of code changes or policies that greatly benefit Hurd. "As an active participant in the certification field, Val brings Hurd invaluable insights for future product development," said Truniger.

Director of National & International Accounts Darrell Diederich:
Considered a "great relationship guy" by all who know him, Darrell Diederich joins Hurd as Director of National and International Accounts with a passion for developing client relations and the window industry. "Darrell has a high level of integrity and credibility that is crucial in sales," said Truniger. "People trust and respect him. He simply exudes a sense of confidence that helps open new doors. National sales is a relatively new and untapped area for Hurd. While we have no intention of going into big box retailers, we do expect Darrell to open new avenues nationally as well as internationally."

Diederich joins Hurd after eight years in sales at Kolbe and 30 years within the window industry. Like Brown, Diederich also spent time at SNE Enterprises and worked with Truniger. The opportunity to work once again with respected peers proved powerful. "Hurd has assembled an impressive and smart management team," said Diederich. "From my perspective, I get to build a national sales program for a company that already enjoys a favorable international reputation. There's a solid foundation at Hurd to work within and infinite growth potential."

A true sales guy, Diederich relishes the opportunity to travel, meet customers on their own turf, understand the nuances of different markets and cultures and, ultimately, provide product support. "Construction is done differently throughout the world as well as within the U.S.," he said. "It's fascinating to learn how different cultures do business and then to be part of their process."