Alvernia University's Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes people who demonstrate the valuable contributions to their professions, community and their nation. All biographical information current at the time of the award.
Degree:
- Bachelor of Science in Management '97
Bio:
Greg Header is the founder of Solar Innovations® Architectural Glazing Systems, which designs and manufactures high-performance greenhouses, conservatories, and other commercial and residential glazing products. He served as its CEO for 24 years until its recent acquisition by Fortune Brands Home & Security, which he now supports as Vice President of R&D and Innovations. An accomplished entrepreneur, he has founded and led four companies with a combined 49 unique patents, along with others pending.
Shortly after his high school graduation, Greg founded Header Trading Company while also taking evening college courses. He transferred to Alvernia to complete his business degree. He founded Solar Innovations® in 1998 with a six-member team. As the company grew, his team developed comprehensive product lines that included sunrooms, folding glass walls, skylights, and other door and window solutions that quickly earned a reputation for industry-leading performance, architectural detail and reliability. The company now employs approximately 150 associates and has delivered more than 30,000 commercial and residential projects. Solar Innovations® is also known for its commitment to environmental sustainability. Its LEED Gold-designed facility in Pine Grove, PA, utilizes more than 3,600 solar panels, and intensive recycling policies ensure that the company’s waste is 98.5 percent landfill-free.
In 2007, Greg founded IRT® Reels, which manufactures best-in-class, American-made fishing reels. The fully customizable product line, which offers reels small enough for backyard hobbyists and large enough for commercial tuna fishing, has been recognized as the Best American-Made Spinning Reel. Greg continues to lead IRT® Reels, which is also headquartered in Pine Grove, PA.
Greg is an avid hunter and fisherman and lives in Richland, Lebanon County, with his wife, Stacey, and his daughter, Sophie. His other daughter, Allie and her husband, Riley, reside in East Petersburg, Lancaster County.
Alvernia names School of Business
The largest alumni gift in the university’s history from Greg ‘97 and Stacey Header will be used to establish the Header School of Business.
Distinguished alumnus prevails despite setbacks
“In the years ahead, I know that the knowledge and faith fostered here at Alvernia will guide my path forward,” Gregory Header says.