Faces of the Industry – Joseph D. Calvert, CSI, CDT, AHC

Don’t hold it against me that I am always behind in reading the many industry magazines that I receive.

I just read a great article about Architectural Hardware Specifications written by Joseph D. Calvert, CSI, CDT, AHC published in the June edition of The Construction Specifier. Yes, June of 2011 so I am not that far behind

Joe is a third generation hardware professional, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.  His career history is diverse and includes time as a manufacturer representative and working in contract hardware distribution.  He currently is the owner of Calvert Independent Hardware Specifications,  LLC

I love that Joe touches on the difficulty in answering the question “what do you do for a living”.  I think I would pay someone good money to come up with the perfect elevator speech for the door & hardware industry.

Joe explains that in order to distinguish between a “tradesperson” and a “professional”, one should follow the money.  Here is a clip from and link to the article:

“It is altogether germane and appropriate to ask a hardware specifier from whom do they receive compensation.  People and corporations do not pay someone for fun: they pay to get results.  If the answer includes suppliers or manufacturers, then it stands to reason these individuals, in some cases, could be subjugating an owner client’s interests for monetary gain.”

I have been in this industry for 16 years and have always felt the way specifications are written benefit everyone but the owner.   Considering it is the owner who is financing the project, I find this an injustice.  It is more of an atrocity when it is tax payer money footing the bill.

Our industry needs more independent specification writers who truly have the end-user’s best interests at heart.   Thanks to The Construction Specifier and Joseph Calvert, CSI, CDT, AHC for a great article.