BuildBlock announced that Russ Nicely has joined the company as commercial development director. Nicely will focus on continuing education and promotion for architects, engineers, general contractors, specialty subcontractors, owners and developers, as well as working to further develop commercial construction projects across North America.

BuildBlock Building Systems, the manufacturer of BuildBlock Insulating Concrete Forms, announced the addition of Frank Gordon, Assoc. AIA, as the vice president for strategic development. Gordon will be leading the marketing, sales and technical teams and bringing them together to build relationships with industry leaders, stakeholders, developers, industry professionals and more, supporting BuildBlock’s growth initiatives.

Tubelite announced the addition of Jessica “Jess” Brooks as a client development manager, covering Alabama and north Georgia. She will work closely with glazing contractors and architectural teams to help them select and specify high-quality, aluminum-framed storefronts, curtainwalls, entrances, windows and daylight control systems.

Simpson Strong-Tie announced the promotion of Scott Lang to the newly created Vice President of Market Development for Residential Digital Solutions position. In his new role, Scott will help expand the company’s residential digital solutions, including developing innovative strategies that cater to customer needs and broaden market reach.

The Tranzonic Companies, a respected manufacturer of personal care and protection, contamination control and cleaning products, has named Joe Vitale to the newly created role of chief corporate development officer.

Construction has officially begun on a $500 million development with two towers and green space at the site of the previously planned Chicago Spire. The Related Co. project begins with a 72-story residential tower, to be followed by a smaller high-rise, on a site where the earlier plans called for a 2,000-foot-high condominium tower.

For its efforts in establishing a solid foundation to attract private investment and further build on municipality assets, the Village of Blissfield, Michigan, has been awarded the Redevelopment-Ready Communities certification, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced on June 18.

Batteries are increasingly being used in a vast array of applications, from consumer products and micromobility devices, known as e-bikes and e-scooters, to electric vehicles and utility-grade energy storage systems. As use of these devices has grown, so too has the number of fire incidents associated with them.

Registrations are now being accepted through April 30 for the fifth installment of the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance Leadership Development Program. FGIA is pleased to unveil an innovative hybrid format for this edition, combining the flexibility of online, self-paced training spanning 10 main topics with the dynamic interaction of three live Zoom webinars.

Linetec has added Aaron du Pont as a client development manager serving Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Mississippi. He will assist manufacturers of architectural aluminum components, products and systems with their selection and specification of paint coatings, anodize and specialty finishes.