Staff at the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) were sad to learn of the death of Henry Taylor, industry leader and founder of Architectural Testing (ATI)
Taylor passed on March 9 at the age of 85. He was an active member of the association for many years, supporting a multitude of research and testing initiatives as well as committing several of his exceptional employees to important committee and task group work. A recipient of the AAMA Outstanding Member award, the most prestigious annual recognition offered by the organization, and a member of the AAMA Board of Directors for many years, he was known for his extensive contributions and support. Taylor was also instrumental in the creation of the InstallationMasters program, which continues to this day. He and his wife, Carole, celebrated 65 years of marriage last July.
Image Courtesy of FGIA
“Longtime members will remember Henry for his many years of dedicated service and leadership within AAMA,” said Janice Yglesias, FGIA Executive Director. “I will especially remember Henry as a visionary, an innovator and a wonderful family man. It was inspiring to see the caliber of employees he attracted and cultivated as well as to witness his remarkable leadership and ability to drive initiatives forward. He was a rare gem, and he will be deeply missed by the industry.”
Rich Biscoe, President of Molimo, was Taylor’s son-in-law. But as Biscoe said, their relationship extended beyond that. “Henry was a true mentor who provided invaluable lessons, both in life and in business,” said Biscoe. “He had a way of touching and interacting with those around him that was tough but fair. Firm, but kind. He was a champion of looking first at doing what is right for the industry before looking at what is beneficial to any single company. Our industry suffered a great loss in his passing, and I will miss him greatly.”
Image Courtesy of: FGIA
“He was a strong person and a talented speaker,” said Florence Nicolici, former FGIA Meetings Manager. “He started ATI in his garage and became very successful. He took pride in who he hired, like Scott Warner. He hired the right people. Whatever he did, he wanted to be the best. He was friendly and respectful.”
Warner, who knew Taylor for nearly 50 years, shared his thoughts about his former boss and mentor. “He was a fearless leader and a legendary innovator in the building products testing industry,” said Warner. “As the founder and CEO of Architectural Testing, he instilled creativity and innovation as core company values. Henry was an avid supporter of AAMA and encouraged employees to actively participate in the advancement of industry standards and test methods.”
FGIA’s Jason Seals remembered Taylor from his ATI days, as well. “Henry was a giant, both in personality and in his contributions to the fenestration industry,” he said. “It seemed like he had a hand in everything. He and his team were fixtures at every industry meeting, constantly volunteering ATI’s time and considerable resources for research and development. I’ll always be grateful to him for hiring me as a test tech for the Texas ATI lab way back in 2002.”Nicolici also remembered Taylor’s dedication to his family life. “He was so active in AAMA, his granddaughter, Laura, was known as the AAMA baby,” she said. “He brought her from the beginning. She grew up in AAMA. Not too many people brought their kids or grandkids, but he always did. He was a family man, for sure.”
Image Courtesy of: FGIA
On July 4, 1975, the same day his daughter Marci, was born, Taylor founded Architectural Testing, Inc. What began as a bold new venture quickly grew into a pioneering force in the building products testing industry. Known for his relentless innovation, Taylor developed faster, more accurate testing methods that revolutionized how the industry served its customers. Architectural Testing received the very first AAMA Chairman’s Award for excellence, honors that reflected a lifetime of determination, ingenuity and integrity.
After selling his company, he later became actively involved in Molimo, another building products testing company started by several of his former employees and helped lead that to another growing success story that continues today.
Per the family, a Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Road in York followed by a reception with the location to be determined. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 10, and again from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 11, both at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation or the Wounded Warrior Project. Condolences and memories may be shared online at HeffnerCare.com.
For more information about FGIA and its activities, visit FGIAonline.org.
