Speakers

Mike Armstrong is President and Managing Director of A-Gas in the Americas, where he leads strategy, business execution, and technology deployment in a rapidly growing market. He joined A-Gas in 2016 as COO and became President in 2017, after more than 15 years in leadership roles at Linde. A graduate of West Point with a B.S. in Engineering, Mike also earned his MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management and served six years as a U.S. Army officer in Europe and the United States.

Alex Ayers is the Vice President of Government Affairs for HARDI the Heating, Air-conditioning, & Refrigeration Distributors International. Alex serves as HARDI’s primary lobbyist and policy expert. Alex has spent nearly a decade lobbying on the federal level and published papers and studies in various policy areas including taxes, energy, agriculture, and economics and has testified on tax policy. His research has been cited by organizations such as the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and the Tax Foundation.

Andy Armstrong has been working in HVAC manufacturing and distribution for over 35 years, mostly focused in the areas of sales and marketing. Andy received his engineering degree from Washington University in St. Louis and his MBA from Bradley University. In addition to his HVAC career, in October of 2022, Andy published his first book, “The Grace Arsenal”. Told in a parable format, this novel strives to be a guide to navigating the business battlegrounds with grace.

Jennifer Bagley helps entrepreneurs and organizations future-proof their businesses through AI, digital marketing, and strategic execution. As CEO of CI Web Group and Catalyst Consulting Services, and Co-Founder of JustStartAI.io, she leads innovation across industries—empowering business owners to do the right things, in the right order, at the right time—driven by strategy, data, and results.

Sarah is a Partner in the Consumer and Private Equity Practice Group, based in Charlotte. She advises private equity, healthcare services, and consumer organizations on executive recruitment, with a focus on aligning leadership talent to business needs, culture, and growth strategies. With a background spanning customer service, project management, finance, and sales, she brings first-hand operational insight to each search. Previously Senior Vice President at a healthcare executive search firm, Sarah has nearly a decade of recruiting experience following leadership roles at Heritage Home Group and Sara Lee. She is also an active mentor through the REACH Women’s Network.

Dillon Caraway brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role as a Loan Officer on the Service Contractor lending team at Live Oak Bank. With a focus on serving contractors in the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical industries, Dillon is dedicated to providing business loans for acquisitions, succession plans, and commercial mortgages. Prior to this position, Dillon served as a Business Analyst on the Agricultural team at Live Oak, where he effectively managed a portfolio of 150 loans across the country.

Alex has over 20 years of experience in economics, manufacturing, automation, and business cycle analysis. He advises private company leaders on sales, acquisitions, and financing, and has delivered 1,000+ presentations to businesses of all sizes. His insights have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, BBC, and NPR, and he is recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice.

Jordan Cordero is a Senior Loan Officer at Live Oak Bank, specializing in tailored lending solutions for home service companies nationwide. With nearly a decade of banking experience, Jordan has supported the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical industries, as well as a broad range of sectors including healthcare, agriculture, and veterinary services. Since 2019, he has helped deliver more than $250 million in financing to fuel acquisitions, expansions, and successions. Drawing on his background in underwriting and deal structuring, Jordan partners with business owners to unlock growth opportunities and ensure seamless lending experiences that drive long-term success.

Joseph started his career as an unpaid-volunteer intern in his hometown YMCA in Mason City, Iowa. After twenty years in the private consulting and non-profit sector, Joseph joined Johnstone Supply as the Learning and Engagement Manager. Joseph holds a bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State University and a master's Degree from Des Moines Osteopathic University along with executive leadership credentials from the University of Iowa. With 15 years of management and executive leadership coaching in private equity, Crawford’s top achievements include spearheading Nationwide CFRE training conferences. Most recently, Joseph is proud of working at Johnstone Supply and graduating from Leadership Washington and Leadership Jacksonville.

Bryan has been with Trane Technologies since 2003, serving in leadership roles across sales, marketing, and strategy within the residential business sector. As Vice President of Independent Distribution for Trane, American Standard, RunTru, Ameristar, and Oxbox, he oversees the strategic development and management of the North American Equipment and Supply business.

As a past executive in the distribution industry, Colin has worked with several distributors to help streamline their customer pricing and profitability, purchasing and replenishment, warehouse management, transportation, and installing business intelligence tools to measure every day goals and objectives. In addition, Colin is a current Ph.D. student at Clemson University. Dees Consulting was formed in 2019 to support and drive business growth for progressive companies that want to keep their business moving in the right direction.

Alexis Dick is a results-driven event planner who creates experiences that connect and inspire. At HARDI, she manages 20+ annual events for up to 2,000 attendees, overseeing million-dollar budgets and building strategic partnerships. Her background includes leading large-scale events for Bath & Body Works, supporting initiatives for 90,000 associates. A graduate in Strategic Communication from The Ohio State University, Alexis serves on MPI Ohio’s Communications Committee, contributes to PCMA, and supports the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Recognized as a PCMA 20 in Their Twenties honoree, MPI Ohio’s 2024 Rising Star, and a Tomorrow’s Leader Award recipient, she brings expertise, innovation, and passion to every event.

At HARDI, Tim oversees the research and analysis of HVAC/R market trends – particularly those affecting wholesale distribution. The Market Intelligence unit is one of the industry’s few in-house association-based economic research teams, offering HARDI members a suite of products for benchmarking and analysis. Prior to joining HARDI, Tim was the Director of Government and External Affairs at the Council of Development Finance Agencies where he worked on federal policy and legislative issues related to public finance. He earned his B.A. and M.A. at Ohio University, and M.B.A. at The Ohio State University.

Chris M. Forth is a 30+ year HVAC industry veteran with extensive experience in engineering, product management, and regulatory leadership. He currently serves as Vice President of Regulatory, Codes, and Environmental Affairs for Bosch Home Comfort USA, where he leads engagement on critical regulatory and policy matters shaping the HVACR industry. Throughout his career, Chris has been deeply involved in the development of regulations, codes, and standards, working closely with elected officials and federal agencies such as the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. His efforts have included key initiatives tied to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act. Chris also serves on multiple committees and boards, including the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), the Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy (ARAP), and the State Chamber of Oklahoma. He is based in Oklahoma, home to Bosch’s U.S. HVAC operations.

Don Gillis is HARDI’s HVACR Technical Trainer, bringing more than 30 years of hands-on industry experience to the role. His career spans service technician, business owner, territory manager, and national training leader, with recent roles at Emerson and The Chemours Company delivering technical education across North America. At HARDI, Don develops and leads technical training programs that strengthen distributor capabilities and support workforce growth, including initiatives in counter sales, inside sales, and product/technical management. Known for blending field expertise with instructional excellence, Don is passionate about simplifying complex concepts and empowering HVACR professionals to succeed in an evolving marketplace.

Paul is the CEO of CoMetrics - a technology cooperative serving independent businesses, cooperatives, and nonprofits committed to using data as a strategic tool to improve performance. He has a depth of experience using data to inform decisions that lead to stronger organizations and sustained profit growth. As one of the first hires at Next Street, a merchant bank helping small and medium businesses grow, Paul has experience working closely with owners and executive teams to navigate sources of capital and long-term strategic planning, as well as weathering the day-to-day challenges of running a business. Before joining Next Street, Paul was a Strategy Consultant at Galt & Company, where he had the opportunity to develop growth strategies for Fortune 100 companies such as Coca-Cola and Clorox. Early in his career as an Economic Consultant at NERA, Paul applied rigorous quantitative analysis to support headlining intellectual property disputes. Paul received a dual Bachelor’s Degree from The Colorado College in Mathematical Economics and Physics.

As a veteran labor and employment lawyer, Susan pulls from her depth of experience to advise employers on compliance solutions, including day-to-day counseling and litigation avoidance strategies on all types of HR issues. Susan has a niche practice with multistate/multinational employment issues and assists clients of all sizes and in all industries with this ever-changing landscape through proactive handbooks, procedures, HR Audits, and policies. She is a frequent speaker and co-founder of her firm's "Multistate Monday" podcast.

Carl Grolle is President of Golden Refrigerant, a leading refrigerant reclaimer and distributor serving the HVACR industry primarily through the wholesale supply channel. With over 30 years of experience, he has guided the company through major regulatory and technological changes while promoting responsible recovery and recycling practices. Carl also serves on the board of MCA Detroit and holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Lawrence Technological University.

Nathan Harris is a Senior Account Executive at Blue Ridge, where he partners with distributors and manufacturers to strengthen forecasting and build more resilient supply chains. With over a decade of experience, he has helped clients navigate disruptions by leveraging data-driven insights to close gaps in demand planning, purchasing, inventory optimization, and supplier collaboration. Nathan also serves on HARDI’s Supply Chain Council, contributing perspective on emerging industry challenges. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling and spending time with his wife, Jamie, and keeping up with their three kids—Savannah (9), Joshua (7), and Haley (4). When not working, you’ll usually find him at church, the ballfield, the basketball court, or watching sports on TV.

Grace Helser is a Research Analyst on HARDI’s Market Intelligence team, joining in 2023. Grace supports the team with her analysis skills across multiple projects and content creation, as well as managing crucial benchmarking reports and surveys. Before joining HARDI, Grace studied at the Ohio State University, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a specialization in Economics.

Kate Houghton joined Hudson Technologies in 2012, her current role is Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing and she a member of the Board of Directors. Ms. Houghton has over 30 years of experience within industrial manufacturing companies and with Hudson leads strategic planning, business development, sales and marketing. Ms. Houghton holds an MBA from Boston University as well as a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Hons) and a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) from Monash University in Australia. In 2023 Ms. Houghton was recognized as a Top Women in HVAC by ACHR News and Women in HVAC for her contribution to the HVAC industry. She is passionate about refrigerant reclamation and sustainability and is a frequent speaker on the topic.

Hugh Hornsby, 2024 Wholesaler Magazine Person of the Year, is a nationally recognized leader in plumbing and HVAC distribution. As Vice President of Sales at Everflow Supplies, he has driven transformational growth through culture, people, and client alignment. He now leads the integration of plumbing and heating solutions, helping wholesalers and contractors expand profitability and long-term success.

Stella Keane is the Vice President of Talent Development for HARDI the Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International. Stella's responsible for HARDI's Talent Development team, human resources, organizational development, finance, and operations functions. She brings over thirty years of Human Resources experience to the association and has managed best-in-class strategies and programs for talent readiness, succession planning, leadership development, and cultural engagement.

Conor Leen is the Co-Founder and COO of Lantern. He was raised in the Irish midlands, where a close-knit community instilled in him the values of hard work, respect, and integrity. He sees those exact values embodied in the HVAC distribution industry. With over seven years at Google and Stripe, Conor built a strong foundation in technology before pursuing his MBA at Stanford, focusing on machine learning and its practical applications.

Mike Marks co-founded Indian River Consulting Group in 1987 after 20+ years in distribution management. Specializing in B2B channel-driven markets, he has built strong executive relationships across construction, industrial, OEM, agricultural, and healthcare sectors. Mike has led projects improving market access for manufacturers, dealers, and distributors of all sizes and ownership structures. A respected author, speaker, and board member, he has served as a Research Fellow with NAW, faculty at Purdue, and adjunct faculty at Texas A&M. Formerly EVP at Lex Electronics, Mike is also a championship race car driver, winning the SCCA Endurance Series in 2021 in an SRF3.

Karen Meyers is a highly accomplished professional with over 35 years of invaluable experience the HVAC and Water Heating industry. As the Global Vice President of Government Affairs for Rheem Manufacturing, on the world’s leading heating, cooling, and water heating product manufacturers, Karen has played a pivotal role in shaping the industry’s landscape and navigating policy initiatives. She works closely with committees and board members of prominent organizations and associations such as the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), the Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy (The Alliance) where she serves as Board Chair, the Department of Energy (DOE), the American Council for Energy Efficiency Economy (ACEEE), the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), and the advisory board for the Building Decarbonization Coalition (BDC). Throughout her career, Karen Meyers has been instrumental in influencing critical decisions that impact the HVAC and WH sector’s future, ensuring its continuous growth and adaptation to changing regulations and market dynamics. Her commitment to finding solutions that strike balance between business interest and environmental stewardship has earned her widespread recognition and respect in both industry and government circles.

Navjot brings over 12 years of experience in supply chain consulting, with a Strong focus on implementing Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and Transportation Management Systems (TMS) across diverse industry sectors. His career has been centered on helping organizations improve efficiency, streamline operations, and leverage technology to achieve their business goals. Currently, at Avalon CSC, Navjot works closely with clients to evaluate and implement supply chain solutions that align with their unique operational needs. Combining his technical expertise with a hands-on, consultative approach, he plays a key role in driving digital transformation initiatives. His areas of focus include deployment and optimization of WMS and TMS, process improvements, and technology enablement and solution alignment.

Zachary Perge is the Vice President of Distribution Strategies at HARDI, joining in 2021. Prior to HARDI, Zachary worked for Deloitte Consulting in the Mergers and Acquisitions Division and has over a decade of marketing, sales, and finance experience with global consumer companies. He has an undergraduate degree in Management from Miami University and an MBA from Indiana University.

Nicole Rayford is the Director of Human Resources for Rheem Air Distribution, where she supports HR strategies across the Rheem owned U.S. distribution businesses. With over 14 years of HR experience, she has worked with companies of all sizes to strengthen culture, develop talent, and navigate times of change. She is passionate about aligning people strategies with business goals to helping teams and leaders thrive

Chris Reenock is Managing Director at Carter Morse & Goodrich (CMG), where he leads the firm’s HVAC industry vertical, working with manufacturing, distribution, and service contractors. He previously held roles at a boutique investment bank in New York and on Citigroup’s Industrials equity research team. Chris earned his BA from Georgetown and MBA from Wharton, where he now serves as an alumni admissions interviewer. A licensed securities professional, he is also an active member of HARDI. Based in Connecticut with his wife and two children, Chris enjoys running, basketball, and coaching his kids’ sports teams.

Nick Reonegro is an operations and supply chain executive with 30 years of experience in managing large scale global operations and leading major business transformations. His expertise lies in aligning business processes, empowering people, and leveraging technology to bring exceptional value to any organization. Currently at Avalon CSC, Nick focuses on helping organizations maximize operational efficiency and profitability by streamlining business processes, leveraging technology and developing people. His deep understanding of operations, including inventory, warehouse and logistics management, and business process workflow optimization, enables him to provide strategic guidance, tailoring industry best practices to the operational environment of the organization, while emphasizing and implementing practical, actionable solutions that drive operational excellence.

Jeff Revlett brings more than 34 years of experience in the HVAC industry, where he has built a career grounded in continuous learning, team development, and innovative leadership. Known for surrounding himself with strong people and embracing best practices, Jeff inspires his teams to exceed expectations while removing obstacles to their success. A dedicated student of self-development, with a Bachelor’s in Business Management from Murray State University and an MBA from the University of Miami, he is committed to leading with vision, encouraging growth, and driving accountability. Jeff’s philosophy centers on clear communication, celebrating success, learning from failure, and ensuring that measurable goals drive meaningful results.

Matt Rojas is the Co-Founder and CEO of Lantern. Born and raised on Long Island, Matt’s father spent his career in construction. Matt has worked at McKinsey, PayPal, and the U.S. Navy. He has an MBA from Stanford University, a master’s degree from Tsinghua University, and bachelor’s degrees from the University of Delaware.

Donya Rose is a consultant whose exclusive focus for the last two decades has been the design of sales compensation plans. She has assisted hundreds of companies with their plans, with many clients engaging her year after year to help them maintain their plans as markets, sales roles, and business priorities change. She helps guide clients to simplify their plans, and use the plan mechanics to focus sellers on the highest value sales ensuring a solid return on the sales compensation spend.

Clay Scroggins is a best-selling author and sought-after speaker whose books include How to Lead When You’re Not in Charge, How to Lead in a World of Distraction, and The Aspiring Leader’s Guide to the Future. A Georgia Tech graduate with a degree in Industrial Engineering, he also earned a Master’s and Doctorate from Dallas Theological Seminary. For nearly two decades, Clay served at North Point Ministries, including as lead pastor of Buckhead Church. He has shared his leadership insights with organizations such as the Dallas Cowboys, the White House staff, Taco Bell, and Audi. Clay lives in Atlanta with his wife, Jenny, their five children, and dog, Hank.

Helene Segura, known as The Inefficiency Assassin™, is a time management expert who helps busy professionals reclaim lost time and increase productivity. Author of four books—including two Amazon best-sellers and The Inefficiency Assassin: Time Management Tactics for Working Smarter, Not Longer—she has been featured in over 200 media outlets such as U.S. News & World Report, Woman’s Day, and Money Magazine. Through her consulting, keynotes, and workshops, Helene blends neuroscience, behavioral strategies, and real-world insights to eliminate inefficiencies, reduce stress, and boost performance. Her engaging, practical approach has empowered organizations worldwide to streamline workflows and achieve sustainable success.

Rusty Tharp is Principal at Aozora Consulting, recently semi-retired from nearly four decades of HVAC industry experience, having worked 38 years for major manufacturers of residential and commercial heating and cooling equipment. He has a BSME from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, and an MBA & MSSM from Indiana University. He is active in ASHRAE, presently serving on ASHRAE SSPC15 and the ASHRAE Standards Committee. Rusty was very active in the industry trade association, Air-conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute, and several of its committees, including the Flammable Refrigerants Subcommittee of the Research and Technology Committee.

Todd joined HARDI in February 2024 as the organization's inaugural Director of State and Public Affairs. In this role, he oversees state advocacy initiatives, representing HARDI's members in front of state legislators, regulators, and key stakeholders. Before his tenure at HARDI, Todd directed government affairs for a REALTOR® Association in his home state of Indiana, where he successfully advanced legislative priorities and stakeholder engagement.

Jeff A. Underwood has served as Senior Vice President and General Manager, Contractor Solutions since April 2024. From May 2021 to March 2024, he served as Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing for the Company’s RectorSeal operating subsidiary within the Contractor Solutions segment, and from September 2018 to April 2021 he served as Vice President of Sales for RectorSeal. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Underwood held roles of increasing responsibility at Goodman Manufacturing, a leading manufacturer of HVAC products and systems and an independent subsidiary of Daikin Group, where he served most recently as Vice President of Marketing. Prior to his time with Goodman Manufacturing, Mr. Underwood was a Manager for Bain & Company, a business consulting firm, serving in the firm’s Industrials practice. Mr. Underwood holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics & Government from the University of Texas in Austin and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago.

Nathan serves as Senior Vice President of Environmental Business Development and the Program Management Office at Daikin Comfort Technologies. Over his 23-year tenure with Daikin and Goodman, he has held progressive leadership roles spanning engineering, marketing, and corporate strategy, including Senior Design Engineer, Marketing Product Manager, and Vice President of Marketing. His broad experience has shaped his ability to lead large-scale initiatives that drive innovation, sustainability, and growth across the organization. Nathan earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Tennessee Technological University and an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin. Originally from Tennessee, he has lived in the Houston area for the past two decades. Outside of work, Nathan enjoys golf and outdoor activities. He and his wife, Brandy Walker, have been married for 25 years and are proud parents of four children, ages 21, 19, 16, and 14.

Sarah is an instructional designer with over 18 years of experience turning complex HVACR topics into clear, inclusive learning. At HARDI, she helps members tackle challenges like the IRA and A2L transition through training that actually connects and engages learners for optimal retention. Breaking down complexity is my superpower. Empowering our members is the mission.

Alex Witcpalek is the founder and CEO of Continuum, an AI-powered platform transforming reverse logistics for distributors and manufacturers. With over a decade of experience scaling SaaS companies, Alex is passionate about turning returns and warranties from a cost center into a competitive advantage.

Eric has over two decades’ experience in the HVAC industry, in a variety of leadership roles across operations, sales, and product management. He started his career with Carrier’s distribution business, in warehouse and store operations. Eric then spent 5 years at Watsco and was part of the team that started up the Carrier Enterprise joint venture. He later gained experience on the contractor side of the business, as head of operations at a leading residential and commercial contractor in Dallas.