My greatest achievement has been achieving professional growth and excelling my career while earning a masters degree and also being a full-time Mom. It has not been easy, but it has been rewarding. My greatest obstacle has been learning new technologies and different aspects of the industry that relate to the products that I am responsible for growing. With our new sealed products there is a lot of work that had to be done to obtain certifications and approvals from groups such as International Code Council and UL. This was a side of the industry I never had much experience with until I started at HCP. Working through this obstacle has helped me to learn a lot more about the industry with regards to mechanical code regulations, building code, and UL product approval procedures. With this experience behind me I know that I can help our company launch any new product or idea we may have in the future.

The HVAC industry has been wonderful to me. Working in this industry has allowed me to learn all aspects of business, from small-business contracting to manufacturing to wholesale distribution. The relationships I have developed through networking within this industry have allowed me many opportunities that I would not have experienced otherwise.

Being a woman in this industry has helped me to develop a strength and confidence that I don’t know that I would have achieved otherwise. Starting out as a woman in a male-dominated industry, I felt the need to constantly challenge myself to be better, to strive for more, and to push myself to earn the trust of my customers through proving my knowledge and capability. Because I started in the industry that way, I have maintained those same objectives which continually cause me to push myself to excel in whatever position I find myself in.

I work for Heating & Cooling Products which is a manufacturer of sheet metal pipe, duct & fittings. Heating & Cooling Products is owned by the same family who owns Famous Supply, a 27-location wholesale distributor in OH, PA, WV. I started with Famous Supply managing their inside sales team and Customer Support Center in Akron, OH while also working with some contractor customers. After spending approximately 1 year on the supply side, I was offered an opportunity with Heating & Cooling Products to manage and grow a new product line called TotalSeal, which is a factory-sealed pipe & fitting system. I eagerly accepted the opportunity with Heating & Cooling Products and since starting there in late Fall of 2014, I have also accepted responsibility for the company’s marketing efforts as well as other national sales responsibilities.

My best advice would be to know your job, know your audience and believe in yourself. Don’t be surprised to hear “wow, you know a lot for a girl” or “how did you get into this industry” – take these as compliments because you just impressed someone. Prepare to be underestimated….speaking from experience, this will set you up for success.

My family consists of my boyfriend Brian, my son Colton and our yellow lab Dakota. My son Colton is 11 years old and involved in many different sports which keeps me very busy. In my “spare” time I attend as many of his sporting events as I can which includes baseball, football and basketball. I enjoy playing outside with my son, taking him golfing and spending as much time with him as I can.

I graduated from Ashland University in Ashland, OH with a B.S. in fashion merchandising and a double minor in business and music performance. This Spring I completed my MBA with a specialization in Supply Chain Management from Ashland University.