EIMA Staff
![]() CEO/Executive Director
Stephen T. Sears, MBA, CEP [email protected] (703) 538-1616 Stephen Sears has been the CEO and Executive Director of the EIFS Industry Members Association since June 2021. During his tenure, EIMA and its membership have launched a new industry strategic plan, a new governance structure and a new dues structure to help prepare the EIFS industry for the future. Prior to joining EIMA, Stephen spent 16 ½ years at the Brick Industry Association in successive marketing and member services roles until he became Chief Operating Officer in 2014. In his last role, he facilitated the development and rapid growth of an “Addie” award-winning consumer marketing program for the brick industry and also provided strategic leadership and oversight for BIA’s successful advocacy efforts at the state and local levels. Before his work in building materials trade associations, Stephen spent several years in account management in Manhattan-based advertising agencies, including Ogilvy and Mather, a global advertising agency that is part of WPP in London, and a boutique marketing firm for Computer Associates International (now known as CA Technologies). Prior to entering the business world, he held several appointed positions in the Administration of President George H.W. Bush – including a political appointment at the U.S. Department of Labor. Stephen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington & Lee University and a Master of Business Administration from The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. ![]() Program Manager
Aggie Sterrett [email protected] (703) 538-1602 After working with the EIFS Industry Members Association in a freelance position for five years on the EIFS Hero Awards Program and as Conference Support, Aggie Sterrett has joined EIMA as a part-time Program Manager. She will be working closely with Stephen and Laurie to continue the forward momentum in member communications, website and social media development, industry education and networking, and special programs, including the EIFS Excellence Awards. In addition to her freelance work, Aggie has experience working for several Washington Metro area companies in multi-media and print production, corporate communications, project management, event-staging and marketing capacities. Aggie has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from The American University in Washington, DC. |
![]() Senior Director
Laurie A. Joseph, CEP [email protected] (703) 538-1615 Laurie Joseph, an accomplished professional in the EIFS industry, currently serves as the Senior Director at the EIFS Industry Members Association. Now in her fourteenth year at EIMA, Laurie has a wealth of institutional knowledge and plays a pivotal role in overseeing various aspects of EIMA's operations, including promotion, membership, programs, events, education, and financial management. In her previous role as Director of Communications at EIMA, Laurie effectively managed internal and external communications, handled media relations, and built valuable relationships with stakeholders. Prior to that, as EIMA's Director of Membership, Laurie managed the membership function, and revived the long-time dormant EIFS awards program. With a background that extends beyond EIFS, Laurie served as the Director of Field Marketing at Charter Oak Partners (acquired by Tanger Outlets), where she orchestrated nationwide consumer marketing programs and executed large-scale companywide functions for the nationwide outlet shopping center developer. Early in her career, Laurie was the Director of Membership at the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce where she directed membership sales and retention efforts for the 850-member Chamber. Laurie holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Economics from SUNY Oneonta. |
EIMA Consultants
![]() Technical Consultant
Bill Egan The Bill Egan Group [email protected] (904) 445-7135 Bill Egan has more than 40 years of construction experience that includes product/system design, standards development, testing, building code compliance, construction defect investigations and litigation. He is Principal of the Bill Egan Group which provides consulting services related to building enclosures, structures, and products and also associated with Intertek Building Science Solutions as a Senior Project Consultant. Bill previously held key technical roles with construction product manufacturers of Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS), stucco, air/water resistive barriers and architectural coating systems. Bill has participated in the design, development, and support of many new construction products and systems from concept through commercialization. This includes determining performance, testing, development of standards, marketing, and technical collateral, and securing building code compliance. He has authored numerous technical articles and is a frequent speaker at conferences and industry events. Bill graduated from Roger Williams University with a BS in Civil Engineering, holds more than 25 patents, authored numerous articles and participates in various industry associations. He is the ASTM E6.58 Subcommittee Chairman for Performance of EIFS and C11 Task Group Chairman for Non-Metallic Lath. Bill also serves on ASTM committees related to stucco and air/water resistive barriers. |
![]() Industry Consultant
Buck Buchanan Buchanan Business Consulting, LLC [email protected] (404) 218-9256 Buck Buchanan is a business consultant that specializes in the EIFS industry. He is currently the president of Buchanan Business Consulting. His business career spans 40 years with much of it in the EIFS industry. He held executive positions with both Sto Corp. and Parex USA. He also served on the EIMA Board of Directors for over thirty years including three different terms as the association’s president. Buck is also an author and has published four books. His third book, Behind the Walls, tells the story of the people who built the EIFS industry. A must read for anyone involved in the EIFS business. Buck Buchanan received a BS Degree in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. In his personal life, Buck has served as a deacon and elder in the Presbyterian Church and is an active Rotarian. He is married to his high school sweetheart, and they have three children and five grandchildren. |