The James D. Wilder Foundation will continue to function under the supervision of the North American Airconditioning & Refrigeration Distributors (HARDI), formed by the North American Heating Refrigeration & Airconditioning Wholesalers (NHRAW) and Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Wholesalers International (ARWI). The Foundation was formerly overseen by NHRAW.

Started in memory of Jim Wilder, Executive Vice-president (1970-2000) of NHRAW, the Foundation provides grant funds for logistics/marketing projects relating to the distribution science in the HVAC/R industry. This involves underwriting the direct costs of short term class or individual projects, case studies and other expenses undertaken by undergraduate/graduate students relating to the marketing, movement, storage and sale of HVACR type products and under the supervision of a faculty advisor.

The purpose of the grants is to increase student knowledge of current marketing, distribution practices and job skills in the HVACR industry and to influence college students to seek promising careers in the HVACR distribution industry.

Grant funds up to a maximum of $3,000 are available. A grant application must be submitted by a faculty member with overall responsibility for the project. Schools must be accredited institutions with existing teaching/research activities in distribution/logistics programs preferred.

Current Foundation Board of Trustee association members are David McIlwaine, president; David Boggs, vice-president; Donald L. Frendberg, treasurer; James Healy, secretary; and trustees Jeff Files and James L. Truesdell. Public and academic trustees are Kenneth B. Ackerman, The K.B. Ackerman Company, and Richard Wirtz, associate professor, Columbus State Community College.

Information and grant application forms can be obtained by contacting the Foundation through the Columbus, Ohio office by calling 614-488 -1835.