Speakers

CHIEF ECONOMIST

ANIRBAN BASU

Anirban founded Sage Policy Group in 2004. He has been called an economist with a sense of humor, which is considered high praise in the dismal science.

CHIEF ECONOMIST

ANIRBAN BASU

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ALEX AYERS

VP, Government Affairs,
HARDI

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.

ALEXIS DICK

Conference & Event Manager, HARDI

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.

TIM FISHER

Director, Market Intelligence, HARDI

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.

PAUL GIUDICE

CEO,
CoMetrics

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.

NATHAN HARRIS

Snr Account Executive, Blue Ridge Global

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

Distribution Market Analyst, HARDI

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.

STELLA KEANE

VP, Talent Development, HARDI

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.

MIKE MARKS

CoFounder, Indian River Consulting Group

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

VP, Gvt Affairs, Rheem Manufacturing

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.

ZAK PERGE

Chief Strategy Officer, HARDI

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.

JEFF REVLETT

Director, Sales Coaching, 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.

TODD TITUS

Director, State Gvt Affairs, HARDI

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.