President / CEO
As the son of J. Warren Gardner, the original founder of New Orleans Glass and Southern Walls and Windows, Billy has been exposed to the glass business much of his life. He graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1981, and after moving back to New Orleans, received a Masters of Business Administration degree from Tulane University in 1983.
Billy joined Crasto Glass and Mirror Co. that year as an Estimator Salesman, and served in that capacity until 1993 when he was promoted to Vice President. He would later become the President/CEO in 2007.
Under his leadership, the family of companies have thrived. They have continued to build on the foundation of providing quality conventional and custom glazing installations at a reasonable price, and serve the New Orleans community to this day.
Vice President of Sales
Chris joined the firm in 1979 as a Salesman. His professional career within the company progressed from Salesman, to Project Manager, before finally settling into the position of Vice President of Sales. Chris has been instrumental in fostering long term business and professional relationships with architects and construction professionals locally, regionally and nationally.
Chris earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from the University of New Orleans in 1975. He would go on to earn a Master of Business Administration, with Honors, from the University of New Orleans in 1980. A former Chapter President, Chris is a current member of the Construction Specifications Institute, New Orleans Chapter. He is also an active Associate Member of the American Institute of Architects, New Orleans Chapter. In his time away from work, Chris avidly enjoys sailing, and proudly treasures a Gulfstar 41 Ketch.
Chief Estimator
Jim was hired in 1973 by J. Warren Gardner as an Estimator for Crasto Glass & Mirror Co. He was trained by the master estimator himself! At the time of his hire, the office staff was only seven people, and when they sold a $25,000 project, it felt like the big time had been struck.
In 1985, Jim left the company to pursue other interests. After a fourteen year absence, Jim returned to Southern Walls & Windows in January 2001, again as an Estimator. Jim and Mr. Gardner worked together until Mr. Gardner’s retirement. Since then, Jim has handled almost all major projects for the company. Backed by a talented office staff and an excellent field team, SWW, NOG and Crasto Glass continue to be a major force in the commercial glazing industry.
Vice President
Ronnie has 44 years’ experience in the glass industry. He spent 10 years with Binswanger Glass and 34 years with New Orleans Glass. His experience includes project management, curtain wall design, test lab certification of designed products, and responsibility for installations of materials sold to glazing contractors nationwide.
Ronnie graduated High school in Sulphur, Louisiana. He studied for 2 years at McNeese State in Lake Charles, LA. He majored in Mechanical Engineering. Ronnie has been married for 50 years. He and his wife, Debbie have 3 sons, and 8 grandchildren. He currently holds a private pilot’s license and is an aircraft owner.
Vice President
Ben Wilson graduated from college in 1973, pursued learning carpentry and woodworking, and became a general contractor, renovating older houses in New Orleans for 10 years. He joined Crasto Glass and Mirror Company in 1984 as an estimator and salesman. In 1990 he became Vice President of Crasto, continuing to estimate and sell Glass & Glazing, Storefront and Curtainwall to general contractors and commercial real estate management companies. He has worked directly with many or the New Orleans community’s schools and office building management groups, and has steadily grown into a project manager, handling large jobs with many of the city’s major General Contractors. He has worked extensively with many local Architects during design and construction and enjoys and appreciates good relationships within the New Orleans construction community.