The manufacturer added 9 new Ambassadors and 2 All-Star Ambassadors to its award-winning social media program, which continues to expand its impact Oatey Co., a leading manufacturer in the plumbing industry since 1916, recently announced that its 2025 social media Ambassador Program will include nine newly added plumbing influencers and four returning Ambassadors. In addition Read more
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The manufacturer added 9 new Ambassadors and 2 All-Star Ambassadors to its award-winning social media program, which continues to expand its impact
Oatey Co., a leading manufacturer in the plumbing industry since 1916, recently announced that its 2025 social media Ambassador Program will include nine newly added plumbing influencers and four returning Ambassadors. In addition, the company designated two of its tenured Ambassadors as prestigious All-Star Ambassadors.
The 2025 class of new Oatey Ambassadors includes Clayton Deeds, Leon Garrett, Mike Caruso, Alan Carlson, Mary-Anne Bowcott, Brian Joyce, Jose Lopez, Keith McGillivary and Zachary Edmond, collectively representing a diverse range of plumbing and building expertise from across North America. The new Ambassadors join returning Oatey Ambassadors Tucker Baney, Nick Hotujec, David Williams, Rob Lupton, Schuyler Mooney and Grant Blundell, as well as several influential alumni Ambassadors.
Oatey Ambassadors are passionate advocates who showcase Oatey and its family of brands through engaging, authentic social media content and activity. Acting as an extension of the Oatey team, Ambassadors collaborate on various initiatives such as social media campaigns, giveaways, trade shows, podcasts, and more to share the story behind Oatey products.
Each year, Ambassadors are invited to attend a two-day event at Oatey University, the company’s premier training center. This immersive experience, known as Ambassador Fest, offers hands-on training, in-depth product discussions, a tour of Oatey’s manufacturing operations, and a visit to Oatey’s world headquarters to meet with associates.
Oatey’s newly designated All-Star Ambassadors include Evan Berns and Shay Lorette, who join existing All-Stars Danielle Browne, Thomas Young, Robert Broccolo and Germaine Nelson. Each of these Ambassadors has been part of the Oatey Ambassador Program for at least two years, displaying an impressive passion for Oatey and a commitment to the Ambassador Program and the plumbing community at large. As All-Star Ambassadors, the influencers remain in the Ambassador Program beyond its standard two-year duration, continuing to enjoy program perks in addition to enhanced partnership opportunities with Oatey.
Over the past year, Oatey has expanded its commitment to supporting Ambassadors in their home territories. This includes an “Oatey on the Road” social media series that spotlights Ambassadors on the job and Oatey swag giveaways for Ambassadors to gift to their local supply houses. The company plans to further expand these initiatives in 2025 as part of its efforts to support Ambassadors online and offline as they grow their businesses and brands.
“Oatey is proud to collaborate with such an incredible group of skilled plumbing professionals through our Ambassador Program,” said Katherine Lehtinen, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Oatey. “As the program continues to evolve, we are sincerely thankful for the dedication and enthusiasm of our Ambassadors. Their passion for Oatey and the work they do inspires us every day. We remain committed to championing their talents, supporting their growth in the industry, and amplifying their voices across the platforms where they publish.”
Individuals interested in becoming a future Oatey Ambassador can submit their information on the Oatey website for consideration. For additional information about Oatey’s Ambassador Program, visit oatey.com.
Caleffi North America is pleased to announce Yates Timmerman as the new Regional Sales Manager for the Central United States. Timmerman brings a depth of knowledge, having worked at the wholesale, rep and manufacturer levels throughout his career. He is based in the Denver area. “Yates will step into this territory and do a great Read more
Caleffi North America is pleased to announce Yates Timmerman as the new Regional Sales Manager for the Central United States. Timmerman brings a depth of knowledge, having worked at the wholesale, rep and manufacturer levels throughout his career. He is based in the Denver area.
“Yates will step into this territory and do a great job. He has the skillset and understanding of what is needed at each level of the sales channel. He will be a valuable member of our sales team as we continue to build,” said Roger Corrente, Vice President of Sales.
Timmerman is a natural fit for the Caleffi sales team, bringing a well-rounded knowledge of hydronic and plumbing systems. Most recently, he spent over four years in a regional sales role at Rheem and IBC Technologies. Previously, he worked in outside sales at TM Sales Inc. for over five years. He brings a customer-first sales approach and prides himself on always learning more about the industry to help with the sales support process. He is an outdoor enthusiast and enjoys skiing and rafting.
Caleffi looks forward to Timmerman working in a region in which he is very familiar. Originally from Wisconsin and a graduate of both the University of Minnesota and Metropolitan State University in Denver. He will cover Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Please join us in welcoming Yates Timmerman as part of the Caleffi family.
A. O. Smith Corporation (NYSE: AOS), a leader in water heating and water treatment, announces three significant updates on the North America Water Heating sales team. After 34 years with A. O. Smith, Mark Gierla, vice president of Eastern region sales, will retire on April 1, 2025. Matt Patterson, national accounts director, will be promoted Read more
A. O. Smith Corporation (NYSE: AOS), a leader in water heating and water treatment, announces three significant updates on the North America Water Heating sales team. After 34 years with A. O. Smith, Mark Gierla, vice president of Eastern region sales, will retire on April 1, 2025. Matt Patterson, national accounts director, will be promoted to vice president of Western region sales in January 2025 as part of this transition. Jerry Lapour, sales director, will move into Patterson’s role.
Mark Gierla
Gierla joined A. O. Smith in 1990 as district manager. He relocated several times and assumed various sales roles along the way. In 2007, he moved to the Nashville area, and in 2010, he was promoted to the newly created role of vice president of regional sales. During his tenure, he’s helped launch some of the company’s most important product innovations — most notably, the Cyclone® commercial water heater, which still leads the industry today. Going forward, Gierla’s role will be split between the regional vice president Western sales and the regional vice president Eastern sales.
“We thank Mark for his dedication to our organization, his tenacity and his skill to drive the business forward,” said Chuck Dean, vice president of wholesale sales.
Matt Patterson
Patterson has been with the company for 12 years and has worked as a technical sales specialist in factory sales in Tennessee, a regional sales manager in the Northwest U.S. and most recently as national accounts director. He also spent two years on the A. O. Smith mobile marketing vehicle showcasing new products to wholesalers around the country.
Lapour joined A. O. Smith in 2023 and comes with many years of industry experience. He most recently worked for Charlotte Pipe & Foundry, managing the north central region. Prior to that, he worked with Elkay Manufacturing for 17 years, with responsibilities including regional sales manager for the North Central U.S. and national account responsibility for Winsupply, where he received the “Account Manager of the Year” award in 2020. LaPour is also a veteran and served with the XVIII Airborne Corps in Desert Storm.
Jerry Lapour
“Having experienced leaders ready to assume these new roles is of great benefit to the organization and I am confident these transitions will be seamless,” said Dean.
Jimmy Hiller, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Hiller Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical (Hiller), was honored with his seventh “Most Admired CEO’s and Their Companies” Award from the Nashville Business Journal. This award marks Hiller’s seventh recognition in the 100-500 Nashville-area employee, private business category, following awards in 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, and Read more
Jimmy Hiller, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Hiller Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical (Hiller), was honored with his seventh “Most Admired CEO’s and Their Companies” Award from the Nashville Business Journal. This award marks Hiller’s seventh recognition in the 100-500 Nashville-area employee, private business category, following awards in 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Each year, the “Most Admired CEO’s and their Companies” Award recognizes leaders who continually inspire those around them. This peer-award honors those who are “shining examples” of how companies should be run and managed, and who are well-respected as upstanding professionals among the community. Each year, Nashville Business Journal solicits nominations for those leaders believed to be among the best-of-the-best, and the final honorees are selected by a group of previous winner CEO’s.
During the reception and banquet, Mr. Hiller and other honorees were presented with the “Most Admired CEO’s and Their Companies” award via live announcement at the Four Seasons Nashville on Thursday, December 5, 2024. This special event not only honors each recipient for their contributions to their own companies, but celebrates their unique impacts on Nashville’s business community.
“It is always such an honor to receive this recognition from my peers”, remarked Jimmy Hiller. “This group of talented CEO’s has had such an impact on our city and business realm. I respect their contributions and leadership and feel fortunate to be named alongside them. I’d also like to thank each and every member of our team at Hiller”, he continued. “Without their inspiration, we would not be where we are today, and recognition like this would not be possible.”
For other leaders at Hiller Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical, this award does not come as a surprise. Nicholas Martin, the company’s Chief Marketing Officer, remarked, “There are very few leaders as impactful as Jimmy Hiller. He is committed to operating with the highest levels of integrity and professionalism, and his unique ability to motivate teams to achieve incredible goals is parallel to none. This award”, he continued, “Could not have been given to a more deserving individual, and I am proud to know and work with Jimmy”.
Launched in 1990 with a single truck and just $500, Hiller has grown to include over 600 trucks, 18 locations, and more than 800 employees across seven states. In addition to inspiring and leading members of his own organization, Jimmy Hiller has had a profound impact on more than 200 other contracting organizations through PRAXIS S-10, a national success college for HVAC and Plumbing contractors, as well as thousands of technicians who attend Total Tech School (a subsidiary of Hiller Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical).
Malco Tools, one of the nation’s top manufacturers of high-quality tools for the HVAC and building construction industries, announced that Philip Laiche of A/C Supply, Inc. in New Orleans, won the company’s 2024 Counterperson of the Year contest. As Counterperson of the Year, Laiche exemplifies the same values that make Malco great: dedication to excellent customer Read more
Malco Tools, one of the nation’s top manufacturers of high-quality tools for the HVAC and building construction industries, announced that Philip Laiche of A/C Supply, Inc. in New Orleans, won the company’s 2024 Counterperson of the Year contest.
As Counterperson of the Year, Laiche exemplifies the same values that make Malco great: dedication to excellent customer service and going above and beyond to ensure contractors have the Malco tools they need to get the job done. Laiche won a prize of a $500 gift card, plus a Malco golf shirt and hat.
Philip Laiche of A/C Supply, Inc. in New Orleans
“Philip is naturally a problem solver who provides recommendations that meet the unique needs of each customer and for our company,” said Mindy Rigney, Laiche’s nominator. “Philip’s commitment to service and his genuine passion for helping customers make him an invaluable asset to the team.”
“We are proud to recognize Philip for his service-oriented attitude and extensive product knowledge to ensure every customer gets what they need,” said Rebecca Talbot, vice president of marketing at Malco. “We appreciate his exceptional dedication to customer service and applaud his efforts over the past 20 years with A/C Supply as this year’s Counterperson of the Year!”
For more information about Malco Tools, visit www.malcotools.com.