Guardian names Scott Thomsen president of its Flat Glass Group

The board of directors at Guardian Industries appointed Scott Thomsen to president of the Guardian Flat Glass Group, effective Sept. 1, 2011, according to an April 18 release. He will oversee the worldwide operations of Guardian’s float glass manufacturing, marketing, distribution and product development.

Thomsen succeeds Russ Ebeid, who will retire Sept. 1, after 41 years with the company. Most recently, Thomsen was group vice president of North American Flat Glass, reporting to Ebeid. He will immediately assume the new role of chief operating officer during this transitional period, working closely with Ebeid.

“Scott has been instrumental in making Guardian a world leader in glass coating technology and increasingly has been involved in our global glass and coating business,” Ebeid said in the release. “During this past year as group vice president of North America, he has succeeded in building a highly effective and energized team with a powerful focus on enhancing growth. Everyone at Guardian looks forward to Scott expanding that success around the world.”

Thomsen came to Guardian in 1999 to establish the Science & Technology Center.  He has been a key leader in bringing an innovation mentality and capability to Guardian and in establishing Guardian as a global leader in the development and production of value-added glass products. 

“Scott has a unique understanding of Guardian’s product, marketing and business development opportunities around the world,” Ebeid said in the release. “He is the right person to take on the challenges and opportunities that face our global glass operations.”