Gorell Executive Biographies

Wayne Gorell

Gorell Chairman and CEO

Wayne C. Gorell founded Gorell Enterprises in Indiana, PA, in 1993, starting the company at the site where the first commercially available replacement window was manufactured. Mr. Gorell is credited locally and nationally for bringing back hundreds of jobs to Indiana, PA.

After serving in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam conflict, Gorell returned to work at one of the largest window-manufacturing companies at that time, where he eventually rose to the position of president. Over time he gained invaluable expertise—in all facets of the window business—that he used later in building a new window company from the ground up.

It was from his decades of experience in the fenestration industry that Wayne Gorell later said he came to understand the critical importance of quality and service to building a successful business. He often has stated that both elements could only be achieved through good people, advanced technology and superior design and engineering.

In addition to leading his company to Inc. 500 distinction as one of America's "Fastest Growing Companies," Gorell has been recognized locally, regionally and nationally for his achievements. In 1998, 2002, and 2003 he was an Entrepreneur of the Year finalist. In 2004 he was honored as the winner of the Master Entrepreneur of the Year award for Western Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. He was also named to Pennsylvania Business Central's "Top 100 People" list for 2004 and 2005 and received Pittsburgh Business Times' Diamond Award in 2006.

Gorell has held numerous leadership positions in the window industry. He has served as chairman of the Manufacturers Council of NARI (National Association of Remodeling Industries) and President of the AAMA (American Architectural Manufacturers Association). In addition, he has served on the boards of numerous charitable, educational and service organizations.

Brian Zimmerman

President & Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Brian Zimmerman is President & Chief Operating Officer of Gorell Enterprises. In this position, Zimmerman is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company.

Zimmerman previously served as executive vice president of Gorell. He started with the company in 1998 and was named executive vice president in August 2007. In this position, Zimmerman was responsible for operations, materials management, human resources and customer service. Prior to that, he was responsible for mergers and acquisitions, new product development and Gorell's Grand Additions patio room division.

Zimmerman holds a bachelor's degree in business management and economics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Michael Rempel

Gorell Vice President of Administration

Michael Rempel is Vice President of Administration of Gorell Enterprises. He has worked in the window industry since 1974. Rempel has held a number of key positions in the company, including operations manager, sales manager, contract coordinator, manager of purchasing and inventory, general manager of manufacturing, manager of MIS and vice president of administration.

Rempel served on the board of directors for the Indiana County Chamber of Commerce and as ex officio. He currently is also president of the Indiana County Manufacturing Consortium, a role in which he helps grow manufacturing interests in the area.

Steve Daukas

Gorell Vice President of Operations

Steve Daukas is Vice President of Operations for Gorell Enterprises. In this position, he is responsible for all aspects of operations, including production, safety, scheduling, quality, engineering, shipping and maintenance.

Daukas has diverse manufacturing and leadership experience that spans over 30 years in operations and manufacturing. He brings extensive practical and hands-on experience in Lean and Continuous Improvement implementations. His primary focus will be improving the operations area and assisting the president in implementing a Lean Journey to Excellence.

Daukas graduated from California Coast University with a Bachelor of Science, and holds an associate degree in Computer Science. He is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt, certified as a Lean Master and Kaizen Expert.

Rick Robson

Gorell Vice President of Materials Management

Rick Robson is Vice President of Materials Management for Gorell Enterprises. In this position, he is responsible for all aspects of raw material purchases and their control at Gorell. The primary duties of Robson and his department are to ensure that raw materials for production are obtained on a timely basis and at a competitive cost and high level of quality. He also is responsible for ensuring reasonable inventory turns for the manufacturer's product mix. He reviews all bill-of-material items for order requirements and competitive cost evaluation. Robson is also actively involved with product improvement, cost reduction and new product development activities.

Robson has been with Gorell since the company opened for business in 1994. He has more than thirty-five years experience in the building products industry. Most of his past 30 years has been dedicated to purchasing and inventory control for three major window companies. As a manufacturer representative, he has sold window components and serviced window fabricator accounts in a four-state territory. Robson has also sold windows, screen enclosures and storm doors at the wholesale level, and has worked in customer service within the industry. Early in his career he was an assistant store manager at a regional building products chain store.