People in the News

Richard Medairos, P.E., Taco Senior Systems Engineer and Commercial Trainer, was presented the Dan Holohan Lifetime Contribution to Comfort Award at Taco Comfort Solutions’ press conference at the AHR Expo on Monday, January 22, by Ben White, Program Manager, Business Operations of Taco Comfort Solutions. Medairos is the 8th recipient of the award, and is Read more

Richard Medairos, P.E., Taco Senior Systems Engineer and Commercial Trainer, was presented the Dan Holohan Lifetime Contribution to Comfort Award at Taco Comfort Solutions’ press conference at the AHR Expo on Monday, January 22, by Ben White, Program Manager, Business Operations of Taco Comfort Solutions.

Richard Medairos, P.E., Taco Senior Systems Engineer and Commercial Trainer, is presented the Dan Holohan Lifetime Contribution to Comfort Award at Taco Comfort Solutions’ press conference at the AHR Expo on Monday, January 22, by Ben White, Program Manager, Business Operations of Taco Comfort Solutions.

Medairos is the 8th recipient of the award, and is recognized for his warmth, humor and passion that he brings with him to work every day.  Much like Dan Holohan, Rich’s passion and love of the industry is what has driven, and continues to drive, his dedication to educate and train hundreds of industry professionals moving forward.

A graduate of Wentworth Institute of Technology, Medairos has over forty years of experience with demonstrated expertise in engineering, project management and planning. Throughout his career, he has worked on projects with major clients such as NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Disney World, Universal Studios Florida, Boston University, Rhode Island School of Design, First Data Corporation, and Taco’s Innovation & Development Center.

The Dan Holohan Lifetime Contribution to Comfort Award is given annually to an HVAC professional or company that has made a substantial contribution to comfort technology, advancement, or training while displaying the exceptional good humor and love of people exhibited by Dan Holohan throughout his long career.  Past award winners include Dan Holohan, Robert Bean, Bruce Marshall, Dan Foley, John Barba, Bob Barbour and John Hazen White III.

Matt Hinson, Engineering Sales Representative of Taco Hydroflo Pump Solutions, recently received the Doctor of Water degree from the Southern California Water Utilities Association (SCWUA). The SCWUA presents the award to members who have skillfully served the water industry in California for 15 years or more. Hinson’s award recognizes his work and service while helping Read more

Matt Hinson, Engineering Sales Representative of Taco Hydroflo Pump Solutions, recently received the Doctor of Water degree from the Southern California Water Utilities Association (SCWUA).

Matt Hinson (left) receives the Doctor of Water degree from SCWUA President, Stephanie Moreno.

The SCWUA presents the award to members who have skillfully served the water industry in California for 15 years or more. Hinson’s award recognizes his work and service while helping municipalities and water agencies.

“We are so very proud of Matt for the honor bestowed upon him as a Doctor of Water,” said Cheryl Merchant, President and CEO, Taco Family of Companies. “Matt has been an excellent addition to our team and his willingness and ability to mentor and share his experience has made our entire team better, smarter, and stronger.”

SCWUA’s announcement, though significant in its recognition of dedicated service, offers a jovial description. It states that Hinson “has completed the Course of Complaints prescribed by the customers of this industry and having given faithful and distinguished service to the Water Works Profession is therefore admitted to the Degree of Doctor of Water in Southern California.”

Hinson began his career in 1979 at Johnston Pump Company as a service technician/engineer in training (EIT). He moved into the Johnston Pump Geothermal Services division in 1985 where he traveled globally as a field service technician performing services including, notably, installation of geothermal deep well turbine pumps. He also served with the General Pump Company as an applications engineer, then becoming a senior applications engineer/project manager in 2005.

He joined Taco Hydroflo Pump Solutions in 2022. “I love this industry and helping people. Everyone needs water,” concluded Hinson.

XOi, a leading provider of technician-focused technology solutions, has selected Ethan Halliwell as the company’s new chief financial officer. In his new role, Halliwell, an experienced SaaS executive who has spent his career modernizing finance operations and building businesses for rapid, scalable growth, will lead XOi’s financial operations as it continues to grow and transform Read more

XOi, a leading provider of technician-focused technology solutions, has selected Ethan Halliwell as the company’s new chief financial officer.

In his new role, Halliwell, an experienced SaaS executive who has spent his career modernizing finance operations and building businesses for rapid, scalable growth, will lead XOi’s financial operations as it continues to grow and transform the digital landscape for skilled trades industries.

XOi, a leading provider of technician-focused technology solutions, has selected Ethan Halliwell, an experienced SaaS executive who has spent his career modernizing finance operations and building businesses for rapid, scalable growth, as the company’s new chief financial officer.

“XOi’s commitment to innovation in the essential skilled trades is driving tremendous growth and opportunity,” Halliwell said. “Our unique digital platform empowers the hard-working men and women in the field service industries with the solutions they need on the job and enhances productivity and revenue for contractors. I’m proud to be in a position to help XOi continue to grow, maximizing opportunities for trades people and business owners as their industry evolves.”

Before joining XOi, Halliwell served as CFO at BlueConic and ServiceChannel. At BlueConic, he helped streamline back-office operations and build out the FP&A function immediately following a majority investment from a global private equity leader. During his time at ServiceChannel, the company’s annual recurring revenue increased from $12 million in 2014 to over $100 million in 2021.

“Ethan brings a wealth of experience and insights as we continue to navigate the evolution of our industry,” said Aaron Salow, founder and CEO of XOi. “He’s playing an integral role in our continued success, and his financial leadership and expertise will help drive XOi’s strategy as we grow and continue to deliver unmatched innovation and value to our customers and partners.”

XOi provides field service contractors and their teams the premier tool for managing and leveraging data from current jobs as well as historical projects, including powerful data collection, virtual support and mentoring, and real, actionable insights. XOi users report, on average, a 20% reduction in the amount of time it takes to complete tasks, an additional $1.4 million in new replacement and preventive maintenance contract revenue, and a 40% reduction in second truck rolls. For more information about XOi, visit https://xoi.io.

NIBCO INC. has announced the promotion of Lisa Lyon to Webstone general manager, with responsibility for overseeing all aspects of operations for the Webstone business unit of NIBCO. “Lisa has been instrumental in aggressively expanding the Webstone product portfolio since NIBCO acquired the company,” said Ashley Martin, president and COO, NIBCO. “She demonstrates great passion and Read more

NIBCO INC. has announced the promotion of Lisa Lyon to Webstone general manager, with responsibility for overseeing all aspects of operations for the Webstone business unit of NIBCO.

“Lisa has been instrumental in aggressively expanding the Webstone product portfolio since NIBCO acquired the company,” said Ashley Martin, president and COO, NIBCO. “She demonstrates great passion and knowledge for the industry, and we are confident that she will meet and exceed the goals established for Webstone’s continued growth.”

Bringing more than 18 years of industry experience to the position, Lyon has been named as a co-inventor on multiple Webstone patents and she founded the brand’s Customer Council in 2018 to facilitate ongoing direct connection between Webstone’s product development team and the trades.

“The NIBCO vision for the Webstone brand is very clear—to continue our focus on engineering innovative labor-saving installation solutions for the plumbing and heating professional,” said Lyon. “I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the team to carry forward with these goals.”

Lyon holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and an MBA from Clark University Worcester, Massachusetts.

Allen Stanley has been promoted to vice president, fittings manufacturing and distribution, and Rudy Smith to vice president, valve manufacturing. Elkhart, Ind. — NIBCO INC. has announced the promotion of Allen Stanley to vice president, fittings manufacturing and distribution, and Rudy Smith to vice president, valve manufacturing. Both Stanley and Smith will report to Ashley Read more

Allen Stanley has been promoted to vice president, fittings manufacturing and distribution, and Rudy Smith to vice president, valve manufacturing.

Elkhart, Ind. — NIBCO INC. has announced the promotion of Allen Stanley to vice president, fittings manufacturing and distribution, and Rudy Smith to vice president, valve manufacturing.

Both Stanley and Smith will report to Ashley Martin, president and COO, NIBCO.

Allen Stanley, Rudy Smith, NIBCO, PVF, fittings, piping, pipe joining, push to connect, plumbing, HVAC, construction

Allen Stanley

“Allen and Rudy have long careers with NIBCO and the knowledge and expertise that they both bring to these roles will be valuable for the success of our organization,” said Martin. “Join me in congratulating them on their well-deserved promotions.”

In this new role, Stanley has responsibility for the Stuarts Draft, Virginia manufacturing operations and the Demand Planning department, along with his current responsibilities for the U.S. distribution centers, world headquarters logistics, and all plastic manufacturing facilities.

Stanley began his career in 1997 at NIBCO as administrative manager at the Atlanta Distribution Center. He held a variety of roles of increasing responsibility including operations manager at the Elkhart Distribution Center, manager, distribution and transportation, and most recently, director, plastic fittings manufacturing and distribution.

Stanley holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Georgia. He also earned his master’s degree in marketing from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.

Allen Stanley, Rudy Smith, NIBCO, PVF, fittings, piping, pipe joining, push to connect, plumbing, HVAC, construction

Rudy Smith

In his new role, Smith will have responsibility for NIBCO’s Blytheville, Arkansas, facility, along with the company’s Nacogdoches, Texas, McAllen, Texas, and Reynosa, Mexico facilities.

Smith began his career at NIBCO in 1996 in logistics at NIBCO’s world headquarters. Two years later, he was promoted and transferred as operations manager of NIBCO’s Nacogdoches facility. He held various roles from production superintendent, plant superintendent, plant manager, and most recently, senior plant manager at Reynosa, prior to his new role.

Rudy holds a bachelor’s degree in management from Rice University, in Houston, Texas.