The American Supply Association announced it has hired Jim Kendzel as the new director of codes & standards replacing Hugo Aguilar who rejoins IAPMO in a larger role as vice president of codes & standards. 

Prior to joining ASA, Kendzel was executive director of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers and prior to that he was senior vice president at NSF International where he held various positions during a more than two-decade tenure. He has been an active volunteer in numerous code groups such as ANSI, ASSE, ASTM, IAPOMO, ICC, NIBSPERC and the World Plumbing Council.

In his new role with ASA, Kendzel’s focus will include: the coordination of the Code & Standards Committee, continuing ASA’s representation on the eight code committees established previously, expanding the association’s PVF effort as well as initiatives supporting regulatory affairs at the federal and key state levels and raising awareness of ASA programs. Kendzel will work closely with key allied groups and other stakeholders.

Aguilar was ASA’s first director of codes & standards, establishing the department and the association’s voice in the code arena.  

In his short tenure, Aguilar established ASA’s presence on eight code-and-standard bodies, launched a code educational and informational process for ASA members to learn about the code process and how members can impact codes and standards which affect the industry.

Aguilar also built a strong Codes & Standards Committee within ASA leadership to help steer progress. ASA has become established in a large way, impacting plumbing, PVF and hydronics code efforts, the association noted. “We owe a great deal to Hugo and look forward to working with him in his new capacity as he rejoins IAPMO,” ASA President Scott Robertson (Robertson Heating Supply) said.  “We wish him the very best and appreciate the many friendships that he created within ASA. Because of the effort  Hugo made we are very fortunate to be able to welcome Jim Kendzel who will continue to expand the role that Hugo established.”