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.

Rachel Barbieri is the Chief Commercial Officer at FTL Finance, a consumer financing company specializing in residential HVAC. FTL offers second look financing and is also the team behind MatchiFi, a multi-lender financing platform built for contractors. With over 20 years of sales and marketing experience, including a decade in the HVAC industry, Rachel oversees the company’s commercial teams and strategic partnerships. A natural connector, she combines industry insight with relationship-building skills to align shared interests and drive growth.

With over 25 years with BRS, Richard has a deep understanding of the business from every angle. He values the long-standing relationships he’s built with both manufacturers and wholesalers. Outside of work, Richard enjoys history, fly-fishing, and playing bass in several Richmond area bands.

Preston Brickner has been a member of HBB Pro Sales Group’s team for 10 years. HBB Pro Sales Group is a manufacturer representative agency covering MI, IN, KY, OH, WV, and Western PA. Preston resides outside of Cleveland, OH with his wife, daughter, and two dogs.

Kevin Brown is a business and technology advisor, startup founder, and executive with 30+ years of experience in sales, marketing, and leadership in wholesale distribution and manufacturing. As CEO and Co-Founder of LeadSmart Technologies, he leads the company and the development of their AI-enabled Enterprise Growth Platform solutions for wholesale distribution and manufacturing. LeadSmart helps wholesale distributors and manufacturers unify siloed data, turning it into intelligent, actionable insights that accelerate sales growth, improve customer experience, and boost efficiency. One of the few global tech executives with hands-on experience in wholesale distribution, manufacturing, Kevin brings a unique perspective to his work. Kevin also co-hosts the top-rated "Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution and Manufacturing" Podcast, covering the weekly news in the economy, supply chain, M&A, technology, and AI’s and the impact on the industry.

Saheel Chandrani — Chief Experience Officer, Facility Grid; Co-Founder, PingCx Saheel has spent nearly two decades in smart buildings, building automation, and energy management, with prior roles at ABB, Honeywell, Johnson Controls, Siemens, and Cisco. He co-founded PingCx, a commissioning automation platform acquired by Facility Grid in 2026, and now leads go-to-market and customer experience for the combined Lifecycle Commissioning® portfolio, sold through the trades and distributor channel.

Colby Cox, Managing Director, Americas at DC Byte, delivers market intelligence and strategic analysis across the global data center industry. Drawing on experience in hyperscale, colocation, enterprise, and edge markets, he helps operators, investors, developers, and vendors assess growth, risk, and opportunity. Colby translates complex factors, including power availability, land constraints, regulation, capital flows, and demand, into practical guidance for investment, site selection, go-to-market strategy, and long-term planning. He regularly speaks at leading industry events, and his insights have appeared in major publications. Before joining DC Byte, Colby spent seven years in sales and corporate development at QTS Data Centers.

Alexis Dick is a results-driven 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 Board of Directors, 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.

Nicole Elia, Operations Leader at Engineering Equipment Sales (EES), leads a nine-person team delivering HVACR solutions across the Mid-Atlantic in partnership with HVAC/R wholesalers. As a woman-owned business, EES helps facilities improve performance, reliability, compliance, and efficiency through responsive, relationship-driven expertise.

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.

Hilary Fuelleborn serves as General Counsel to The Beringer Group. She was previously an equity partner at Dilworth Paxson in their Trusts and Estates department, where her practice focused on estate planning, estate and trust administration, and private foundations. She earned her law degree from Emory Law School.

Paul is the CEO of CoMetrics, a technology cooperative that helps independent businesses, cooperatives, and associations use data as a strategic tool to improve performance. He has deep experience turning data into decisions that build stronger organizations and sustained profit growth. As one of the first hires at Next Street, a merchant bank serving small and medium-sized businesses, Paul worked closely with owners and executive teams on sources of capital, long-term strategic planning, and the day-to-day challenges of running a business. Previously, as a strategy consultant at Galt & Company, he developed growth strategies for Fortune 100 companies including Coca-Cola and Clorox. He began his career as an economic consultant at NERA, applying rigorous quantitative analysis to high-profile intellectual property disputes. Paul holds a dual bachelor's degree in mathematical economics and physics from Colorado College. Outside of work, Paul seeks out the outdoors and loves skiing and hiking in the mountains — the steeper and snowier, the better.

Ramsey Goodrich is the Managing Partner at Carter Morse & Goodrich (CMG), where he leads the firm’s manufacturing vertical and general firm operations. He previously held roles at JPMorganChase, Banque Paribas and E&Y Corporate Finance before joining CMG more than 20 years ago. Ramsey earned his BA from St. Lawrence University, and MBA from NYU Stern School of Business and an international business degree from HEC Institut Superieur des Affaires in Paris France. Mr. Goodrich holds his FINRA Series 7, 24, 63, 79, 82 and 99 securities licenses and is an active board member on a number of businesses and trade associations.

Joey James is a Senior Research Analyst on HARDI’s Market Intelligence team. He has over a decade of experience delivering data-driven insights across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. He has worked in markets around the world, helping organizations make better decisions through market analysis, impact assessments, and forecasting. He is passionate about turning data into insights that drive growth and improve outcomes.

Zac joined HARDI in March 2026 as the organization’s policy lead for building codes and rebate programs. In this role, he leads state advocacy efforts, representing HARDI members in state and model code proceedings and in discussions concerning state and utility rebate programs. Before joining HARDI, Zac held roles in the HVAC industry as a research and development mechanical engineer for ventilation manufacturer, Ziehl-Abegg, and as a codes and standards engineer for the manufacturing association, AMCA International.

Kevin Julian is Senior Vice President of CE HVAC Solutions and an accomplished executive with extensive experience in sales and operations leadership, private equity-backed organizations, mergers and acquisitions, and business transformation. He is recognized for building scalable organizations, and developing high-performing leadership teams. Kevin creates enterprise value through strategic execution, operational excellence, and customer-focused leadership.

Stella Keane is the Vice President of Training & 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.

Based on his experience dissecting economic data over 20 years as an investment analyst, Brian integrates the unique HARDI data along with other data streams to help members see what is on the horizon for their markets. He composes our popular Data Driven Newsletter, designed and authors our HARDInomics service, and designed Demand per Location which is a custom service that allows members to understand the market opportunity and trends around their current and potential locations.

Mandy Long is a technology executive, board member, and former public company CEO. She currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of ShiftKey and as a member of the Board of Directors of PracticeTek. Most recently, Mandy was CEO and Board Member of BigBear.ai (NYSE: BBAI). Previously, she held senior executive roles at IBM, Modernizing Medicine, and Experian Health leading global software businesses across AI, middleware, and medical devices. Her career spans over 15 years in software and AI, with deep experience in M&A, portfolio optimization, and board governance across public and PE-backed companies. She lives in Chicago with her husband and four children.

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.

Akanksha Mathur is General Manager at Elephant Energy, focused on making home electrification accessible and affordable for residents. She leads initiatives leveraging SoCal incentive programs to simplify the transition to high-efficiency electric HVAC.

Karen Meyers is a highly accomplished professional with over 40 years of invaluable experience the HVACR and Water Heating industry. As the Vice President of Government Affairs for Rheem Manufacturing, one of 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.

Matthew Murphy is a corporate partner and fundraising professional with Homes For Our Troops (HFOT), where he works to build strategic relationships between the organization and businesses, industry partners, and communities across the country. In his role, Matthew focuses on creating meaningful opportunities for companies to engage with HFOT beyond traditional financial contributions, including employee engagement, fundraising campaigns, volunteerism, sponsorships, in-kind support, and community partnerships.

Carlos is a 30-year HVACR veteran, former Copeland regional VP, independent consultant, and HARDI lead instructor. As a conference speaker, he brings practical insight into technical-commercial training that advances efficiency, innovation, and growth across HVACR.

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.

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.

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.

Madison Romero is HARDI’s Public Affairs Associate, supporting the industry advocacy of the Government Affairs team through strategic communications, grassroots campaigns, and media outreach. She crafts messaging that connects HARDI’s advocacy goals with its members as well as broader HVACR industry and external audiences.

Technology grows exponentially. Businesses adopt linearly. Devashish Saxena has spent 25 years closing that gap, building the first digital and AI capabilities across B2B manufacturers (TI, PPG) and distributors (Rexel, Imperial Dade). Now advises B2B leaders. Adjunct, Carnegie Mellon.

Curtis Seare is CEO of Flow, an AI platform transforming sales operations across the industrial supply chain — starting with manufacturers' reps and extending to the manufacturers and distributors around them. Technology has hit an inflection point, and Flow turns it into connections and capabilities the channel has never had.

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.

Jamie Turner is a globally recognized author, professor, and CNN contributor who helps people transition from being "good" to being better. As a regular contributor on CNN and a lecturer at Emory University, Jamie has spent decades decoding the mechanics of success for Fortune 500 companies like The Coca-Cola Company, Mercedes-Benz, and Verizon. Jamie doesn’t rely on motivational fluff. Instead, he uses a science-based approach to help others perform at their peak

Brad Williams brings over twenty years of experience in investment banking and has led approximately ¾ of a billion dollars in deal flow for his clients over the past 5 years. He has structured and executed a wide range of complex transactions, including corporate sales, mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, recapitalizations, and leveraged buyouts.

John White is Vice President of Digital Marketplace and Customer Experience at Watsco, Inc., where he leads enterprise digital innovation, including SupplySync.com, an industry-first marketplace delivering a seamless procure-to-pay experience across distributors. He previously served as President of American Refrigeration Supplies, Inc. and as CEO of a global logistics company, bringing deep experience across distribution, supply chain, and M&A. John is particularly focused on how digital marketplace, data, and connectivity will help redefine the distribution channel in the years ahead.

Alex Witcpalek is Founder and CEO of Continuum, the B2B reverse logistics network that connects the supply chain to streamline returns, warranty, and inventory processes. He has spent over a decade alongside distributors and manufacturers, and was named Distribution Trends 40 Under 40 in 2018.

Stephen R. Yurek has been President and CEO of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), which represents more than 330 U.S. and foreign HVACR and water heating manufacturers, since 2007. He manages a staff of more than 130 in AHRI’s Arlington, Va., headquarters and across five global offices, while overseeing one of the world’s largest performance standards and equipment certification programs. Prior to his current role, Mr. Yurek served as AHRI’s Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel, after having joined the organization in 2002 as General Counsel.