--- title: "Get to Know Vitro: Joanne Funyak" description: Her first interview at PPG was for a research chemist position. But Joanne Funyak, manager, sales support and MSVD products, has been formulating quality customer relationships for decades. image: https://vcn.vitroglazings.com/hubfs/VCN/Joanne-Funyak2.jpg --- [![VCN_Hor_RGB.png](https://vcn.vitroglazings.com/hs-fs/hubfs/VCN_Hor_RGB.png?width=320&name=VCN_Hor_RGB.png "VCN_Hor_RGB.png")](https://blog.vitroglazings.com/vcn) # Vitro CertifiedTM Newsletter ### The Vitro Certified Newsletter is a quarterly newsletter for glass fabricators, laminators and window manufacturers within the Vitro Certified Network. For more information about the Vitro Certified Network, visit Vitro Architectural Glass (formerly PPG Glass) at [VitroGlazings.com](http://vitroglazings.com). --- ## Get to Know Vitro: Joanne Funyak Posted by [Vitro Architectural Glass](https://vcn.vitroglazings.com/author/vitro-architectural-glass) on Jun 18, 2019, 7:36:15 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ## Meet Joanne Funyak ### Manager, Sales Support & MSVD Products, Vitro Architectural Glass For Joanne Funyak, Manager of Sales Support & MSVD ![Joanne-Funyak2](https://vcn.vitroglazings.com/hs-fs/hubfs/VCN/Joanne-Funyak2.jpg?width=300&name=Joanne-Funyak2.jpg)Products for Vitro Architectural Glass, her team is doing its best job when it is building person-to-person relationships. As part of a customer-focused organization, she understands that her staff is the first line in resolving issues, and that knowing customers on a personal level helps her team to get it right. “Building trustful relationships is the focal point for improving not just customer service, but enhancing the whole fulfillment process,” she says. “Interpersonal skills and problem-solving are key attributes for our team. Industry knowledge can be taught. The skill in providing service for our customers is gained through our ability to grow and nurture relationships.” Joanne has a broad perspective on the industry, having worked in a host of positions at PPG and Vitro. She started with PPG immediately out of college, doing shift work as a quality supervisor at the coatings facility in Springdale. The glass industry nearly missed out on a great people-focused leader, as her background and a degree in Chemistry from Slippery Rock University almost led her to an entirely different career. Joanne’s first interview was for a position as a research chemist at PPG’s Allison Park coatings research facility. As she progressed through the interview process, it became clear to her potential employer that her interpersonal skills were better-suited for a public-facing position rather than being tucked away in a research lab. “After the interview process ended, I was told that I was too people-oriented and that I would not be happy in a research lab,” Joanne said. “It was the best thing, I think, that happened to me.” While working at PPG’s Springdale coatings plant, Joanne obtained a master’s degree from Duquesne University. That led to several increasingly responsible posts within PPG, from Product Manager in the company’s Chlor-Alkali’s Calcium Hypochlorite business to Global Market Manager for Building Products in the Industrial Coatings business. Honing her interpersonal skills over the years has enabled Joanne to shape the personal customer service approach that she uses to guide her staff. “Our team needs to handle fast-paced inquiries and react to challenging situations,” she explained. “In those circumstances, communications and interpersonal skills are critical to assuring our customers that we are responding quickly to their needs.” Joanne stresses that having customer relationships is more than just good business, it also makes her department operate more efficiently.  “Every direct customer interaction is an opportunity to improve responsiveness and eliminate unnecessary steps,” she explains. “I could not be prouder of my team,” she adds. “The range of challenges they have to face, especially when we’re so busy, changes all the time, but they’re always focused on putting the customer first. Plus, day-in and day-out, they’re just great people to work with.” Joanne’s work is not limited to managing her sales support team. She also maintains her leadership role as product manager for Vitro’s tempered and MSVD-coated products.    “It’s something new every day. It’s fun,” she said. “\[The two jobs\] keep me going and focused on whichever hat I’m wearing at the moment. Communication and feedback are how we bring them all together and improve systemwide.” The bottom line is this: Whether you need to check on the delivery of a shipment or get technical guidance on the use of an MSVD-coated Vitro Glass product, Joanne Funyak is the right person to contact. As a decades-long Pittsburgh Penguins season ticket holder, she’s also ready to talk power plays and penalty kills at the drop of a puck. To reach Joanne, email [jfunyak@vitro.com](mailto:jfunyak@vitro.com) or call (412) 820-8018. She’s always ready to help. #### Newsletter Archive:  - [June 2026](https://info.vitroglazings.com/a-trusted-and-proven-partnership-2) - Project Showcase: Hillman Library, Pittsburgh, PA - Technical Forum: *EcoArmor*™ Protective Topcoat  - Get to Know Vitro: Meet Johnny Lorigan - [March 2026](https://info.vitroglazings.com/a-toast-to-25-years) - Project Showcase: Lincoln Yards, Chicago, IL - Technical Forum: *Vitro Certified*® Network Online Training Resources - Get to Know Vitro: Honoring Women’s History Month - [December 2025](https://info.vitroglazings.com/vitro-drives-meaningful-progress-1) - Project Showcase: Nashville Airport Hilton, Nashville, TN - Technical Forum: The Growing Role of Glass Reflectivity in Buildings - Get to Know Vitro: New Roles for Chris Fronsoe and Trevor Hall - [October 2025](https://info.vitroglazings.com/vitro-drives-meaningful-progress) - Project Showcase: 700 Santana Row, San Jose, California - Technical Forum: *BirdSmart*® Bird Safe Glass Research & Testing - Get to Know Vitro: Logan Tautkus-Berry - [June 2025](https://info.vitroglazings.com/were-a-glass-half-full-kind-of-company) - Project Showcase: FirstHealth Cancer Center - Technical Forum: FramingFactor™ - Get to Know Vitro: Ben Rider - [March 2025](https://info.vitroglazings.com/2025-has-already-taken-off) - Project Showcase: National Aviary, Pittsburgh, PA - Technical Forum: Bird Safe Glass Advancements and Trends - Get to Know Vitro: Dan Plotnick - [January 2025](https://info.vitroglazings.com/2024-was-a-certified-success-for-vitro-architectural-glass) - Project Showcase: Hugel Welcome Center (Lafayette College) - Technical Forum: Center of Glass vs. Framing Performance - Get to Know Vitro: Patrick (PJ) Campbell - [September 2024](https://info.vitroglazings.com/vitro-certified-network-members-q3-check-in-1) - Project Showcase: RIDC Mill 19 - Technical Forum: Methods for Improving U‑Value - Get to Know Vitro: Larry Withrow - [July 2024](https://info.vitroglazings.com/second-quarterly-update-for-vitro-certified-network-members) - Project Showcase: Amazon HQ2 - Technical Forum: Sustainability Certifications - Get to Know Vitro: Patty Fisher - [March 2024](https://info.vitroglazings.com/first-quarter-for-vitro-certified-network-members) - Project Showcase: UC San Diego Torrey Pines Living & Learning Neighborhood - Technical Forum: Condensation - Get to Know Vitro: Fernando Diez - [January 2024](https://info.vitroglazings.com/first-quarterly-update-for-vitro-certified-network-members) - Project Showcase: BancFirst Tower  - Technical Forum: Embodied Carbon  - Get to Know Vitro: Meet Erin Casci  - [October 2023](https://info.vitroglazings.com/q3-update-for-vitro-certified-network-members-1) - Project Showcase: Hanna Gabriel Wells Architects  - Technical Forum: Pros and Cons of Gas-Filled IGUs  - Get to Know Vitro: Bill Davis  - [June 2023](https://info.vitroglazings.com/q2-update-for-vitro-certified-network-members) - Project Showcase: Pittsburgh Produce Terminal  - Technical Forum: Framing and Performance Values  - Get to Know Vitro: Chris Fronsoe  - [April 2023](https://info.vitroglazings.com/q1-2023-update-for-vitro-certified-members) - Project Showcase: Pikes Peak Summit House  - Technical Forum: Color Rendering Index  - Get to Know Vitro: Heather Brion  - [December 2022](https://info.vitroglazings.com/fourth-quarter-update-for-vitro-certified-network-members-2022) -  Project Showcase: 345 4th Street  - Technical Forum: Vacuum Insulating Glass FAQs  - Get to Know Vitro: Andre Kenstowicz  - [September 2022](https://info.vitroglazings.com/third-quarter-update-for-vitro-certified-network-members) - Project Showcase: 70 Rainey  - Technical Forum: Codes & Climate Zones  - Get to Know Vitro: Dan Sutton  - [July 2022](https://info.vitroglazings.com/second-quarter-update-for-vitro-certified-network-members) - Project Showcase: Moody Center - Technical Forum: *Titan* oversized glass - Get to Know Vitro: Annissa Flickinger  - [March 2022](https://info.vitroglazings.com/first-quarter-update-for-vitro-certified-network-members) - Project Showcase: KOI Sky Residences  - Technical Forum: Embodied Carbon  - Get to Know Vitro: Mike Hammond  - [December 2021](https://info.vitroglazings.com/fourth-quarter-update-for-vitro-certified-network-members?hs_preview=wuFvkqXz-68122100225) - Project Showcase: Watershed  - Technical Forum: *Vitro Certified*™ Network Professional Training Modules  - Get to Know Vitro: Adam Polcyn  - [October 2021](https://info.vitroglazings.com/committing-to-innovating-sustainably) - Project Showcase: Congress Square  - Technical Forum: *VacuMax*™ Vacuum Insulating Glass (VIG)  - Get to Know Vitro: Nathan McKenna  - [June 2021](https://1977288.hubspotpreview-na1.com/_hcms/preview/content/48387080968?portalId=1977288&_preview=true&cacheBust=0&preview_key=bfZWBlMX&from_buffer=false) - Project Showcase: McMaster University  - Technical Forum: BIPV Q&A - Get to Know Your New Sample Order Website - Get to Know Vitro: Lauren Black, Ph.D.    - [March 2021](https://info.vitroglazings.com/new-product-update-and-more) - Project Showcase: HOPE Tower  - Technical Forum: Glass Options for School Safety  - Get to Know Vitro: Emily Losego  - [November 2020](https://info.vitroglazings.com/innovation-and-our-people) - Project Showcase: Old Chicago Post Office  - Technical Forum: Keys to Diagnosing Glass Breakage  - Get to Know Vitro: Steve Marino  - [August 2020](https://info.vitroglazings.com/vitro-vcn-september-1-2020) - Technical Forum: Bird-Safe Buildings Act Closer to Law  - Project Showcase: Rolex Tower  - Get to Know Vitro: Martin Bracamonte  - [May 2020](https://info.vitroglazings.com/here-for-each-other) - Decontaminating Glass Surfaces  - Personnel Training Series  - Contactless Bills of Lading (BOL) Now Available  - [January 2020](https://info.vitroglazings.com/the-solarban-acuity-opportunity-1) - Technical Forum: The Latest in Bird Safe Glass Legislation  - Project Showcase: Calgary Central Library  - Get to Know Vitro: Paul Bush  - [September 2019](https://info.vitroglazings.com/the-solarban-acuity-opportunity) - Our *Solarban*®-Coated *Acuity®* Glass Journey  - Technical Forum: Specifying Heat-Rated Glass  - Project Showcase: Kinects Tower  - Get to Know Vitro: Julia Giba  - [July 2019](https://info.vitroglazings.com/invested-in-our-people) - Technical Forum: Silicone Strength  - Get to Know Vitro: Joanne Funyak  - Project Showcase: 181 Fremont  - [March 2019](https://info.vitroglazings.com/two-new-chapters) - Technical Forum: Eliminating the Stress Over Strain Patterns  - Project Showcase: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine  - Get to Know Vitro: Carlisle, PA  - [January 2019](https://info.vitroglazings.com/eyes-on-quality) - The Hallmarks of Product Quality  - Vitro Survey: Insights on General Contractors  - Get to Know Vitro: Salem, Oregon  - [August 2018](https://info.vitroglazings.com/the-future-is-here) - Technical Forum: Diagnosing Glass Breakage  - Project Showcase: UCSD Jacobs Medical Center  - Get to Know Your Glass Supplier: Carlisle, PA  - Gearing Up to Transport Jumbo Glass  - [March 2018](https://info.vitroglazings.com/vitro-certified-newsletter-march-2018) - Technical Forum: Focusing Beyond Glass Construction in Specifications  - Project Showcase: BioSteel Centre  - Technical Articles to Share with Your Customers  - Vitro, on the Road  - Get to Know Your Glass Supplier: Wichita Falls, Texas  - [November 2017](https://info.vitroglazings.com/365-days-in) - Technical Forum: Temporary Film Fabrication Guidelines  - Project Showcase: ProMedica Health and Wellness Center  - Lunchtime Training Seminars  - Get to Know Your Glass Supplier: Fresno, California  - [August 2017](https://info.vitroglazings.com/introducing-the-vitro-certified-newsletter-1) - Technical Forum: New Vitro Glass EPDs Are An Industry First  - Project Showcase: 7 Bryant Park  - Your Show, On the Road  - Get to Know Your Glass Supplier: A Preview  #### Recent Stories:  [![Vitro_PPG_Horiz_RGB.png](https://vcn.vitroglazings.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Vitro_PPG_Horiz_RGB.png?width=353&name=Vitro_PPG_Horiz_RGB.png "Vitro_PPG_Horiz_RGB.png")](http://www.vitroglazings.com/en-US/Glass.aspx)