Longtime PPG Auto Glass Exec Frank Archinaco Passes Away
February 18, 2011

Frank Archinaco, who spent many years with PPG Industries' auto glass business (now Pittsburgh Glass Works), passed away on Thursday, February 17, at his home in Sewickley, Pa. He was 67.

Archinaco joined PPG's glass contract and supply department in 1965 as a management trainee in Newark, N.J. He subsequently held a series of management posts in Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Puerto Rico and Illinois. He became director of marketing and development for PPG's automotive and aircraft glass business in 1979, general manager of auto replacement glass products in 1981, and general manager of European glass operations in 1984.

Archinaco returned to the United States as vice president of automotive original equipment glass products in 1986. Five years later, he was named vice president of automotive and aircraft glass. He was made vice president, glass, in 1994, and a year later was promoted to senior vice president, glass. In 1997, Archinaco was elected corporate executive vice president for glass and chemicals, prior to his retirement on July 1, 2002.

In February 2008, Archinaco rejoined PPG as president and CEO of PPG's automotive glass and services business, a position he held until PPG divested the business to Kohlberg and Co. in September 2008.

Archinaco was born in Elizabeth, N.J. He graduated from Villanova University in 1965 with honors. He subsequently earned a master's of business administration (MBA) degree at Seton Hall University and attended the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University.

During his time with PPG, Archinaco was responsible not only for playing a key role in the development of the U.S. manufacturing market, but also in the development of LYNX Services.

"PPG has lost one of its most beloved leaders," says Chuck Bunch, PPG chairman and CEO. "Throughout his career, Frank was held in extremely high regard by customers and employees alike for his judgment, integrity, wisdom, and straight-forward management style. He was also an extraordinary communicator with a great wit and sense of humor. On a personal level, Frank was a good friend and mentor to me, and I will miss him greatly."

Archinaco is survived by his wife, Linda; two sons, Jason (and his wife, Paula), and Christopher (and his wife, Margaret); a brother, James, and his wife, Susanne; a brother, Paul, and his wife, Debbie; a sister, Nancy; several cousins; three stepdaughters, Kristen, Laurette and Karen; and three grandchildren, Samantha, Matthew and Grant. (CLICK HERE for full obituary.)

Archinaco had been diagnosed with terminal, inoperable pancreatic cancer in October 2010.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, February 19, and Sunday, February 20, at the William Slater II Funeral Service, 1650 Greentree Road, Scott Township, Pittsburgh, Pa. Services and interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that contributions be made to The Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research.

CLICK HERE to read an interview with Archinaco from the March/April 2002 issue of AGRR magazine. (Scroll down to sixth story.)

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