Glazing Consultants International LLC

GCI employs specialist consultants for each building envelope subcategory. Our glazing, exterior wall systems, waterproofing and roof experts provide a specialized expertise that is second to none.

Paul E. Beers

Paul E. Beers established Glazing Consultants in 1988. He has over 25 years experience in the window and glazing trade and with building envelopes. He is a leading expert with glazing systems and hurricane damage and protection. He was instrumental in the development and implementation of missile impact tests after Hurricane Andrew hit Dade County, FL. His expertise includes windows, doors, glass and wall claddings with an emphasis on water leakage and damage. He has served as an expert witness in federal and circuit courts for windows, doors, glass and wall systems and water leakage. Mr. Beers has been cited as an expert on nationally televised programs such as CNN, along with interviews by local television and radio stations throughout the nation. He has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Popular Science, Engineering News Record and many daily newspapers and trade publications, regarding his work with glazing and hurricane damage and prevention. He has been featured speaker at Florida Department of Insurance, Institute for Business and Home Safety, Construction Specifications Institute, ASTM, Glass Association of North America, and the Glass Association of Florida. He has published articles with Progressive Architecture, Glass Magazine, U.S. Glass and Metal, and CSI Magazine.

     William D. Smith

William D. Smith is President of GCI. He has over 35 years of experience in the design and construction of glazing systems and building envelopes. Mr. Smith has been involved in numerous industry organizations and currently is a member of the Construction Specifications Institute and the American Society for Testing and Materials, and also serves as a director of the Southeast Glass Association, Inc. He is a state licensed building contractor and founder of the Glazier's Apprenticeship Program that trained many young men and women to new careers in the glass industry. Mr. Smith is recognized as an expert in the field of windows, doors, glass, and exterior wall systems, including all aspects of weatherproofing and water intrusion. He is an authority on Exterior Insulation Finish Systems (EIFS), sealants, and waterproofing systems, and has an extensive history of forensic building investigation. Mr. Smith has demonstrated his expertise in the field of hurricane damage and development of hurricane protection systems.  He has performed many post-hurricane damage investigations. Mr. Smith has designed a variety of glazing applications for new construction projects including windows, doors and glazed curtain walls as well as specialty glazing system for exhibits and blast resistance. Mr. Smith has published a number of papers on water infiltration, quality control construction methods, and testing procedures for hurricane resistant glazing systems. He has been a speaker at meetings of the American Architectural Manufacturer's Association, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Building Officials and Code Administrators International, the American Society for Testing and Materials, the and Window and Door Manufacturers Association.

    Christopher Matthews

Christopher Matthews is Vice President and a Senior Consultant, employed with Glazing Consultants since 2002. He has over twenty years of experience working with exterior glazing and wall systems, and specializes in the installation and water resistance of these systems. He has consulted with owners, architects, engineers, and builders on hundreds of projects throughout North America and the Caribbean, and also serves as an expert witness in related matters. Mr. Matthews is a graduate of the University of Florida and a member of ASTM International. He has published articles in several trade periodicals and made many accredited presentations to industry professionals.

     Alfonso Alzamora

Alfonso Alzamora has been a consultant at GCI since 2005. He has a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and a graduate degree in construction management from the North University of Colombia. Mr. Alzamora is a member of the Colombian National Board of Professional Engineers and is currently seeking his licensure with the Florida Board of Professional Engineers. As a first step to his licensure, he has being certified as an Engineer Intern by the Florida Board after passing the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination. Mr. Alzamora has over 6 years of experience in the industry first as Project Manager for a large South Florida Building Envelope Construction firm and later as a Consultant for GCI. He also has several years experience in building construction before coming to the United States to continue his engineering education. As a consultant at GCI, Mr. Alzamora has provided construction consulting services including design, investigation, project management, inspections and testing of new or existing installations of glass, windows, doors, curtain walls and wall assemblies for building hurricane resistance and water integrity, as well as all aspects of waterproofing these and related products at office buildings, hospitals, schools, condominiums, municipal buildings and private residences. His clients include product manufacturers, attorneys, contractors, architects, developers and owners.

     Samuel Chiodo

Samuel Chiodo is a specialist in the field of Roof Technologies and Science. He has over 19 years of experience in the roofing industry specializing in; Modified Bitumen, Built-Up-Roofing, Single Ply Membranes, Cold/Hot Fluid Applied Systems, Metal, Clay/Concrete Tile, Asphalt Shingles, as well as Spray Applied Polyurethane Foam and Coating Systems. Mr. Chiodo is well versed in the principles of roof flashing, insulation and design problems. He is focused on providing water tight roof systems and envelope integrity for Building Owners, Developers and Property Managers. Mr. Chiodo is a member of RCI (Roof Consultants Institute). He has been published in several roof construction and building maintenance magazines. Mr. Chiodo an active participant with GCI's continuing professional education and research program, as well as the development of information relating to the design and construction of roofing, glass and glazing, waterproofing, and building envelope systems.    

     Peter Craig

Peter R. Craig specializes in the exterior waterproofing of exterior walls, decks, and below grade areas. Born and educated in Cape Town, South Africa, he has been with Glazing Consultants since 1997. He has over 25 years experience in the waterproofing industry in both new construction and restoration waterproofing. He combines his extensive knowledge of products, techniques and his practical experience to provide answers, solutions, guidance and long term maintenance programs. His expertise includes stucco, EIFS, vertical wall coatings, expansion joints, concrete repair materials, deck membranes and sealers, and sealants. Mr. Craig is a member of ASTM and CSI and a certified third party inspector for CETCO Waterproofing products. He has also been the featured speaker at numerous Building Managers and Condominium Association meetings and has published articles in the past for Condominium Management Magazine.

     Yussef Saieh Velez

Yussef Saieh Velez, a Colombian born Architect, has been a Consultant at Glazing Consultants International LLC (GCI) since 2005 and has ten years experience with glass and glazing, exterior wall systems, hurricane protection and water leakage. Prior to joining GCI, Mr. Saieh worked for a large glazing contractor in the U.S and Colombia, where his duties included Project Management and coordination of field quality control efforts. Mr. Saieh Velez also assisted in the development of quality control programs that assured the correct installation of glazing assemblies in multi-million dollar projects. At GCI, Mr. Saieh Velez has provided construction consulting services in new and existing projects that include institutional facilities, hospitals, schools, office buildings, hotels, condominiums and private residences. Services provided include design, project management, inspections and water infiltration testing of all types of glazing assemblies and wall systems. Mr. Saieh Velez has also performed and assisted in post-hurricane damage investigations that are helping with improved hurricane resistant glazing construction throughout the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Mr. Saieh Velez is an active member of ASTM International (American Society of Testing and Materials), AAMA (American Architectural Manufacturers Association) and a founding member of AEFAD (Universidad Autonoma del Caribe's Miami Alumni Association).