HARDI has secured executive editor of Roll Call, a top Hill newspaper, and regular television political commentator Mort Kondracke to address members during its first-ever Washington, D.C., Congressional Fly-In on April 30, 2008.

A journalist for 45 years, 40 of them in Washington, Kondracke has covered nearly every phase of American politics and foreign policy in newspapers, magazines and on radio and TV.

Many associations and advocacy groups organize Fly-Ins for their members to meet with the staff of their federal legislators as a means of “blitzing the Hill” with issues, concerns, and proposals specific to the members of the organization. HVACR distributors have seen an unprecedented number of regulatory and legislative proposals that would affect many members’ businesses in just the last 18 months. Very few on Capitol Hill understand anything about the hvacr industry, wholesale distribution, and the challenges small businesses face. To remedy that problem, HARDI has scheduled this Fly-In to efficiently match member executives with their elected representatives to start or advance understanding and relationships.

In other HARDI news, Douglas R. Young, Behler-Young Co., has completed his term as president of the HARDI Foundation. Mark Faessler, Progress Supply Inc., was elected on Dec. 5, 2007, to lead the HARDI Foundation over the next three years with the new title of Chairman.

In addition to Faessler, the newly elected board of trustees includes: President Bill Barnett, Boutette & Barnett Trade Distribution Centre, London, ON, Canada; Vice-president David McIlwaine, HVAC Distributors Inc., Mount Joy, Pa.; Treasurer Chrissy Nardini, American Metals Supply Co. Inc., Fenton, Mo.; Executive vice-president Donald L. Frendberg, HARDI, Columbus, Ohio; Secretary James H. Healy, HARDI, Columbus, Ohio; Accounting Mary Gustafson, HARDI, Columbus, Ohio.