By Jim Stewarts

You might call it a corporate version of the TV series, “All in the Family.”

Only in the case of the Carter Glass Co., the family is larger in numbers, with six sons and a nephew
of founder Robert Carter occupying top positions in the commercial glazing firm.

There are Terrence, 32, chairman of the board; John, 36, president; James, 29, secretary and
treasurer; William, 30, Thomas, 24, and Robert, 33, all vice presidents of sales and Paul, the nephew, vice
president of production.

As a team, they run the company which has, in the six years since its incorporation in 1978, boosted
its sales volume from the $500,000 it had on the books that year to more than $4 million which they are
expecting this year.

For founder Bob Carter, who started the business in 1951 after 14 years with PPG Industries, the
success achieved by his sons and his brother’s son has seen sentimental bonus in his retirement years. The
elder Carter stepped down from his post as head of the firm in 1981.

Today, he is active only in retirement, with a frequent game of golf taking the place of the daily
routine he followed through the years. Back at the office last week for a visit, Carter indulged himself in
some memories.

“I can remember when the boys first started at the place,” he said. “Tom worked days during the
summer vacations and at night at KMBC as a host of a sports talk show while he was attending the
University of Kansas. He received a degree in journalism but never pursued it as a career, choosing the
glass business and me, instead.”

Bill left college after a year to join the firm, answering the phone and doing other odd jobs during his
apprenticeship.

Terry started in 1972 and went into sales under his father’s tutelage. After a year, he was almost on
his own, as he recalls it. “I had to lean on Dad a little from time to time,” he admits.

Jack divided his summers during school between the family business and a few sessions as a hod
carrier for a construction company.

Bob spent summers and other off-duty hours at the company while attending high school and college,
taking orders over the phone.

Jim worked part-time after high school and before night sessions later at Johnson County Community
College.

Their cousin Paul joined the family enterprise in 1979 as a glazier after serving in that capacity 12
years for Harding Glass Co.

Bill Carter said, “All of us leaned in the direction of a permanent connection with the company.”

How did the six sons manage to get along with the traditional brother vs. brother altercations and
rivalry? It was a question that has come up many times.

Jim took that one, saying that he and his brothers had their share of differences, their arguments, their
fights while they were growing up. “But we’ve gotten that out of our systems and today, if there is a
disagreement, we put the issue on the table and discuss it until an agreement is reached,” He said.

The senior Carter recalls a conversation on the golf course with a friend who expressed amazement at
the father-son relationship.

“How do you keep it amicable?” he asked. “I have one son in the business with me and we’re always
at odds.” The friend was still shaking his head as they teed off on the next hole.

The concentration of Carters in the firm has elicited some friendly kidding, not only in the family’s
circle of friends but also within the construction industry.

While Carter Glass was busy with the installation of windows and glass walls for the recently
completed Glenwood Manor, a member of the family supervising the project asked the building owner if
they could put up a sign identifying the Carter firm as the installer.

“Yes, a sign is okay,” was the answer, “but no family portrait, mind you. There’s not that much
room.”

More than one customer has commented, “When you call that outfit, you can be darned sure you’ll be
able to get hold of a Carter.”

Founder Bob Carter is proud of the company he has turned over to his sons and nephew. He took it
through the growing years, starting with modest quarter on Westport Road at the site of the present day
Bijou Theater.

In the late 1950’s the company moved to 24th Street and Grand Avenue. In 1962, increasing volume
of business required a second move to larger quarters in the West Bottoms. Carter Glass has been at its
present location, 1608 Locust St., just since April.

The senior member of the family credits Dudley McElvain, president of Westport Bank, with having
contributed to the company’s success. Carter Glass has had a line of credit at the financial institution
throughout its 33 years in the glass business, Carter said.

His sons also give credit to their employees. There are 17 full time glaziers, two warehousemen and a
receptionist. Bill Carter said the company has an extremely low turnover rate among its people, adding,
“Our bonus plan is the way we reward them for their loyalty.”

The seven active Carters in the company all won stock and the 51 percent held by Robert and
Kathryn Carter, the founder and his wife of 45 years, is destined to go to the sons in the not-too-distant
future.

On the personal side, the retired glass industry veteran is a proud grandfather who has seen some
what of a shift of gender in that department in the next generation.

“Can you believe eight granddaughters and five grandsons?” He asks, with a mischievous grin.