ANNANDALE, Minn. — Malco Products, SBC, a manufacturer of tools for the HVAC trade, announced the winners of its annual HVAC Trade-Pro of the Year Award program. The 2022 HVAC Trade-Pro of the Year Award recognizes and celebrates outstanding, experienced HVAC professionals who are dedicated to the industry and on-the-job safety, as well as giving back to their communities.


The program recognized five top HVAC contractors and technicians from across the U.S.:

  • Tammie Nixon, sheet metal journeyman, GEM Inc., Berkey, Ohio
  • Ricardo Lopez, HVAC trade pro, Hoffman Brothers, Moscow Mills, Missouri
  • Kenneth Hudson, CEO, HawkEye Services, Fort Washington, Maryland
  • Robert Hartman, HVAC installer and servicer, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Chris Sanders, owner and installer Service Technician, Sanders A/C & Heating, Inc., Cub Run, Kentucky


“Malco is proud to honor this year’s diverse group of HVAC Trade-Pro of the Year winners for service and commitment to their customers and communities,” said Malco president and CEO Rich Benninghoff. “These HVAC professionals are representative of the excellence in the industry and are dedicated to working safely and efficiently in the field.”

Each of the winners will receive a Malco tool kit valued at $1,000, awarded by their local distributor. Nominations for Malco’s 2023 HVAC Trade-Pro of the Year program will open in February 2023.

As a strong supporter and advocate of careers in the trades, Malco donates significant quantities of in-kind products and apparel annually to a variety of skilled trade education programs, competitions and events across the country, including high school, post-secondary technical and apprenticeship programs, regional apprenticeship contests and SkillsUSA state and national conferences. Malco also coordinates the “Head of the Class” Student Recognition Program that partners with education programs across the country to recognize high-achieving students and entire graduating classes in the HVAC/sheet metal, building construction and autobody repair fields.