Elez bring extensive leadership experience to this role.
March 31, 2026
Elez holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and undergraduate degrees in Industrial Engineering and Economics from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Last month, St. Petersburg again was the site for what is now called ASA’s annual LEAD Strategic Leadership Summit. This year’s LEAD event brought together 85 volunteers to take a look at issues that will affect ASA member companies and their employees now and in the future.
Several of the women profiled began their journeys in unexpected places — from architecture programs and greeting card companies to post-9/11 career fairs and water restoration firms. What kept them here wasn’t just product lines or market share; it was the people.
The Emerging Leaders Division of ASA continues to gain momentum, so much so that the Advisory Group met this past summer near O’Hare Airport in Chicago to chart its future, one that includes a pivot to year-round programming for industry up-and-comers, while still presenting the group’s annual EMERGE education, best practices, and networking forum.
Emerging leaders are motivated but often struggle to understand what senior leaders want before assuming more responsibility. In plumbing distribution, credibility is crucial; senior leaders prioritize those who execute well, communicate clearly, and make sound decisions under pressure.
The year-end is a time for reflection, and planning for 2026 is already starting. The Gallup Q12 engagement survey measures employees' connection to their workplace through 12 key statements. It highlights aspects such as expectations, tools, valued opinions, and growth opportunities, making it especially valuable in industries where retention depends on clarity, trust, and recognition beyond compensation. The Q12 helps quantify these drivers for better management, which is crucial at year-end.
In this episode of And So It Flows, host Natalie Forster sits down with Spencer Pope, manager of technical support and training at Bradford White, to explore how education and workforce development are evolving across the plumbing, HVAC and mechanical trades.
Most learning happens on the job, with 70% from daily work, 20% from peers, and only 10% from formal training. Programs not integrated into operations often fail, and nearly half of managers see a lack of leadership development, especially at the branch level where theory must link to daily execution.
HARDI's new program hosted its first public People Leader Certification course in Columbus, OH.
October 24, 2025
HARDI launches the People Leader Certification Program, providing HVACR professionals with hands-on training to lead high-performing teams and strengthen organizational performance.