Chrissy Nardini has set herself apart as a leader in the HVAC industry. During the past year, the Heating, Airconditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) has taken an increasingly higher profile under her direction. The NEWSmaker is serving as the first female president of HARDI, and she has focused the organization on both better serving its wholesaler members and getting them more involved in the organization.

Nardini is a third generation family member of American Metals Supply Co. founded in Springfield, Ill. She started out with the company in 1997 - after first pursuing an advanced education and a career as a CPA - and eventually became its president in 2006.

“It’s more rewarding,” she said of her involvement with American Metals. “It’s my passion. It is something I care about very much.”

That passion then extended to HARDI of which American Metals is a member. And that eventually brought her to the elected presidency of an organization of 450 wholesale companies (including 17 international companies), plus over 300 manufacturing associates and nearly 140 manufacturer representatives.

“By being the first female chosen, hopefully that will be a stepping stone for other women and make this industry of interest to them,” she said.

TRAINING

When it comes to reviewing her year as president, she noted the Distributor Learning Network as a key recent development. “This involves training online which can be done at locations of all branches for all wholesalers in our membership and managed by company leadership to ensure returns on their educational investments. We offer members training from A to Z - including information about products, management and leadership, OSHA. The training is ongoing from the day a person starts at a wholesaler and continuing as they work their way up the chain into leadership positions.”

FLY-IN

Another aspect has been HARDI’s aggressive efforts in making wholesalers’ voices heard on Capitol Hill including annual Fly-Ins to Washington, D.C., to visit legislators. The third such Fly-In took place during Nardini’s tenure as president and represented a further refinement in the approach. “Legislators value hearing from us because it gives them a first hand understanding of what they are voting on.” She said she hopes more HARDI members will become involved in future Fly-Ins, the fourth of which will be May 18-19, 2011, in Washington, D.C.

REORGANIZATION

Yet another development over the past year is restructuring within HARDI of committees and councils “to achieve greater in-depth involvement on issues plus increased coordination between chairs,” she said. This has also included more use of subcommittees. “There are so many topics to tackle,” she said. “Subcommittees allow more members to pick issues that are most topical.”

Despite her NEWSmaker recognition, Nardini credits the membership for the success of HARDI. “I can state unequivocally that we have one of the finest organizations in existence and it is no surprise that because of them we continue to thrive and grow.

Sidebar: 2010 NEWSmakers

Name: Chrissy Nardini

Titles and Affiliations: President of American Metals Supply Co.; and President of Heating, Airconditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International

Location: Hazelwood, Mo.

Notable Quote: “By being the first woman chosen [as HARDI president], hopefully that will be a stepping stone for other women and make this industry of interest to them.”

Publication date: 12/20/2010