Meet the Team

Dave Steele President, CEO

Dave grew up in Saint Mary’s County, Maryland. A low draft number in the early 70’s resulted in his relocation to Augusta. Dave’s first job after leaving the service was with a church in Augusta serving the inner city. Dave then shifted his attention from the ministry to social work. When the energy crisis hit in the early 1980s, he was working at the Council on Aging in Aiken, South Carolina. Witnessing firsthand how devastating high energy bills were to folks on a fixed income influenced him to become an expert on energy conservation. This passion ultimately led him and his friend Kurt Eyrich to start The Window Gallery. The listening skills he developed as a social worker allow him to understand what his clients want in their dream home. Over the years, Dave has earned a reputation as a pioneer in the window and door industry. He has been recognized by Andersen Windows as one of the top dealers in the nation.

Dave and his wife, Cindy, have raised four wonderful children who all live close enough to enjoy their mother’s cooking on a regular basis. They’re looking forward to a house full of grandchildren. Dave loves his family, reading, fly-fishing, travel and architecture. Helping people solve problems motivates him to do his best.

Kurt Eyrich Vice-President, COO

Kurt serves as Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of The Window Gallery.  Besides overseeing all operations of the business, he brings years of custom-millwork experience to the table to assist in commercial applications. Kurt has managed small businesses since graduating from college in 1973. He is acutely aware of the challenges faced by the small business and can help you meet the challenges you face in building homes or commercial buildings. As a member of the Architectural Woodwork Institute, he has learned the requirements of fine architectural wood products and has acquired critical project-management skills.

He has lived in Augusta since 1980 and enjoys the wonderful climate and the many friendly people. When Dave and Kurt started The Window Gallery, they had no idea how many wonderful people they would have the opportunity to meet and serve.  It has been a great experience for Kurt, and he is ready to assist you in any way he can to make quality windows a part of your home or office.

John MacLean CFO

John is a financial professional who has more than 20 years of corporate and international experience with companies such as Revlon Inc. and Precision Valve Corp. in New York City. He moved south 10 years ago and changed his focus to entrepreneurial, closely held businesses as a partner in Tatum CFO LLP. He is currently serving as the CFO for The Window Gallery.

Jeff Claflin Sales

Originally from rural Upstate New York, Jeff earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and served four years in the Army before joining Andersen Windows as a customer service representative in New England. The knowledge and practical experience he gained has proved invaluable to Augusta-area homebuilder customers since he joined The Window Gallery in 1995. His main goal is always to “make their job easier.”

Jeff knows price is always important, but he believes architectural integrity, performance, long-term durability and the homeowner’s individual tastes and needs must also be considered.  His experience and dedication to assisting his customers in choosing the best windows and doors for their project mean long-term satisfaction and long-term friends for The Window Gallery.

Ken Allan Sales

Ken got an early start in the construction business in Florida, where his family ran a small commercial construction firm, building mostly banks, churches and medical offices. A residential contractor for 10 years, he built custom homes in the Dublin, Lake Oconee and Macon areas. After six years in window sales, Ken came on board The Window Gallery in September 2007. An associate member of the Augusta chapter of the American Institute of Architects, he works with architects to develop specification- and added-value-engineering techniques. Ken’s greatest joy is to ensure that your window package does not end up “womper-sided”, as his friends from South Georgia would say.

Mark Hanna Sales

A lifelong resident of the Central Savannah River Area, Mark has been involved in the construction industry for over 20 years, 13 of them as a licensed contractor in South Carolina. He specialized in residential remodeling and construction as well as small commercial projects. He came to The Window Gallery in 2001 to oversee the start-up of the area’s first in-house window and door installed sales program. Mark has a passion for traditional architecture in new and restoration projects and works with many of the area’s premier homebuilders and remodelers. He adds to his knowledge by attending workshops led by leading architects, builders, designers and preservationists. He wants to see every project have a classic, solid and timeless look defined by the proper placement, proportions and details of the exterior windows, doors and trim.

Mark and his wife, the former Jeanna Lowe, are restoring their 1906 late-Victorian home in North Augusta. He has two grown children. He spends his free time on trail rides, enjoying the beauty of God’s creation on the back of his Appaloosa gelding, Reno.

Steve Gerard Service Manager

Steve grew up near Duluth, Minnesota. From an early age he was fascinated with building. As time progressed, he became a land surveyor. His skills got him a job in the U.S. Navy Seabees building military installations in Vietnam at the height of the war. After the war he earned a bachelor’s in Building Science from the University of Minnesota while working as a draftsman and engineering technician for several architectural and engineering firms. He joined the sales and marketing efforts of Andersen Windows in Bayport, Minnesota in 1977. His attention to detail earned him many leadership roles over the years, including new business and product development based upon researching consumer needs. Most notably Steve was an integral part of the team that developed Andersen’s window replacement products. Steve retired from Andersen in 2007 and now brings his many years of window and door knowledge, attention to detail and desire to serve the customer to The Window Gallery. He strives for value-added solutions to window and door challenges and is looking forward to working with you.

Steve is our “go-to-guy” for all replacement and remodeling projects. We are honored to have someone of Steve’s caliber and experience as part of our team. We know of no one in the industry that has his depth of knowledge about replacement windows.

Matt Steele Installation Team Manager

Matt has extensive experience in all aspects of window and door installation. He has completed all Andersen Windows continuing-education programs and has earned his certification through Andersen’s Dealer Service Training. He is continually called upon to provide solutions to complex window- and door-installation and operation issues. Matt’s can-do attitude, his attention to detail, and his quality-control approach to managing the Install Team at The Window Gallery ensures our products’ long-term operation and performance for our valued customers.

Robert Shanks Installation

Robert has called Augusta home for more than 30 years. A civil engineer, he brings a wide range of experience, public and private, from construction to project management to The Window Gallery. His team approach creates a win-win environment through all phases of a job. He can be counted on to solve complex structural and installation issues as well as schedule and complete work to customer satisfaction.

Obi Osondu Manager

Amaobichi (Obi) N. Osondu, received his early education in Enugu State, Nigeria, his native country. After graduating from Government Technical College, Awka, in 1994, he started a business selling motorcycles and spare parts. He came to the United States in January 2002 to visit his brother, a seminarian in the Catholic Diocese of Savannah. His brother asked him to stay in the U.S., and Obi agreed. An Augusta priest, Father John Lyons, introduced him to David Steele and The Window Gallery. Obi started in shipping and receiving and is now the department’s manager. He has shown great dedication to helping us give the best service possible.

Joseph Wilson Product Service Manager

Joseph has been with The Window Gallery for 17 years. Currently he serves as product service manager. He has acquired product training and has been certified to service the products we sell. His goal is to provide our customers with a pleasant, personal and professional customer service experience.

April Sammons Accounting Administrator

April is a native of Augusta and joined The Window Gallery in February 2007. She brings with her seven years of accounting experience and excellent organizational skills.

April works alongside John, our CFO, to manage accounting. She also plays a key role in maintaining and developing our proprietary back-office system.

Lillian Land Logistics Administrator

Lillian serves our customers by timing deliveries to suit their preferences and schedule.  She is the go-to person for questions, requests or issues before and after delivery.  She also assists in solving product-service issues.  She came to The Window Gallery in 2002 with more than 20 years experience providing high-level customer service, including more than 15 years exposure to the building industry.