WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance, R-N.J.,  recently visited HARDI member Johnstone Supply’s Kenilworth, New Jersey, location to meet with employees.

"Engaging with government leaders may not be top-of-mind for most business owners, but there is a real value in discussing these issues with our elected officials," said Bob Zimmermann, president and co-owner of Johnstone Supply. We appreciate Congressman Lance being accessible to our team and willing to engage.”

Lance spoke to Johnstone Supply employees on a range of topics that included tax reform, healthcare and workforce issues. He also took time to discuss the issue of online sales tax avoidance, displaying his expertise on the subject from his place on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and by extension the Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection Subcommittee.

“I enjoyed visiting Johnstone Supply in Kenilworth and seeing firsthand the work the company does in the sale of heating, air-conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration products,” said Lance. “I was pleased to be briefed on the issues facing the industry and what I can do in Congress to work toward improving the business climate. The Zimmermanns and their colleagues had excellent questions on public policy and impressed me as being very civic-minded.”

“We appreciated the Congressman taking the time to come visit our company, meet our employees and learn about what we do,” said Kate Zimmermann, Johnstone Supply director of benefits and training development. “It was a great opportunity to discuss some of the challenges that face our company and our industry with Congressman Lance, but what we truly appreciated was his willingness to talk about solutions to those challenges.”