JUNE 2025
IN THIS ISSUE
CEO’S MESSAGE
Dear BLUE HAWK Community,
I hope business is picking up as the summer season enters full swing. I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who joined us in celebrating BLUE HAWK’s 20th Anniversary in the Big Apple last month. Thank you to all attendees for making the occasion unforgettable and showcasing the strength of our cooperative community as we honored our past and embraced the future ahead.
As we continue to build on our collective success, I invite all Members and Partners to unite in our mission to SHIFT the SHARE from unapproved suppliers and support the mutually beneficial growth of our cooperative. By working together, we can enhance your and BLUE HAWK’s relevance in the supply chain and reduce the impact of today’s economic uncertainties.
At the Annual Conference in New York City, we unveiled our reimagined BLUE HAWK logo, a more modern and stronger-looking brand that captures the essence of our cooperative spirit! I encourage you to explore our new look on our website.
Additionally, please join me in extending a warm welcome to our newest team members: Dave Blau, our new Vice President of Business Development, and Scott Meredith, our new Director of Accounting and Human Resources. We are excited to have these talented individuals on the BLUE HAWK staff and are confident that their contributions will greatly enhance our cooperative efforts.
As we look ahead, we request that you save the dates for our upcoming events: the Fall Advisory Forum at The Greenbrier Resort, a National Historic Landmark, from October 27 to 29, 2025, and the Winter Summit at the Crested Butte Mountain Resort, often called “Colorado’s last great ski town,” from January 20 to 22, 2026. You don’t have to golf or ski to enjoy these events. These industry gatherings offer exceptional networking opportunities and business development within our community. Your participation will undoubtedly enrich these events!
Thank you for your support and dedication to BLUE HAWK. Here’s to 20 fantastic years and many more ahead.
GROW WITH BLUE!
Lance Rantala
CEO
BLUE HAWK
Did You Catch the April 2025 Issue of Wholesaler Magazine?
Don’t miss the standout feature on BLUE HAWK—a powerful look at two decades of strength, transparency, and unwavering collaboration.
It’s a great reminder as to how this member-owned cooperative continues to lead the HVACR distribution industry by building trust, empowering members, and fostering a resilient community.
SAVE THE DATES!
Don’t miss these key annual events.
2025 Fall Advisory Forum
October 27-29, 2025
The Greenbrier Resort
White Sulphur Springs, WV
2026 Winter Summit
January 20-22, 2026
Mt. Crested Butte
Crested Butte, CO
2026 Annual Conference
April 29 – May 1, 2026
Rosen Chingle Creek
Orlando, FL
Team Transitions:
We’ve got news worth celebrating
Congratulations on your retirement, Laura!
After 17 incredible years with BLUE HAWK, we are both celebrating and bidding farewell to Laura Spielman, our dedicated Accountant, who is retiring from the cooperative.
Laura has been instrumental in maintaining our financial integrity and has played a vital role in our cooperative’s journey to success. We are deeply grateful for her dedication and contributions, and wish her all the best in this exciting new chapter.
Meet Scott, our new Director of Accounting & Human Resources
At the same time, we’re pleased to introduce Scott Meredith, CPA, who joined us as Director of Accounting & HR, effective May 27, 2025.
Scott brings more than 25 years of experience in finance, risk management, tax, and contract optimization. Most recently, he served as Head of Contracts & Procurement at Simpleview Worldwide, Inc., a global SaaS provider for the travel and tourism industry. His leadership and expertise have consistently driven process improvements and scalable growth strategies.
A few of Scott’s notable accomplishments include:
- Creating and executing processes that enabled the prompt handling of approximately 8,000 contracts, with more than 1,000 customers across multiple countries.
- Establishing precise revenue recognition processes across various product lines to enhance compliance in financial reporting.
- Developing workflows to ensure effective vendor management and resource allocation.
We are confident that Scott’s forward-thinking approach and proven leadership will continue the high standards Laura set, and we are excited about the value he brings to BLUE HAWK’s future.
Introducing Dave, the newest member of the BLUE HAWK team
We are thrilled to also welcome Dave Blau to the BLUE HAWK team as the new Vice President of Business Development, effective June 16, 2025.
In this key leadership role, Dave will drive our strategic growth initiatives, strengthen partnerships, and expand BLUE HAWK’s footprint across the HVACR industry.
Dave brings over 20 years of rich industry experience and leadership. He began his journey in the HVACR and plumbing trade, gaining invaluable hands-on experience in his family’s contracting business. He then transitioned into wholesale distribution and manufacturing, where he made a significant impact over the years.
During his decade-long tenure at the Gustave A. Larson Company, Dave led marketing efforts and contributed to strategic planning initiatives. He was instrumental in building strong vendor relationships and was recognized as one of ACHR News’ “Top 40 Under 40”, reflecting his exceptional leadership and industry contributions.
Over the past seven years, Dave has held a series of progressive sales leadership positions at Duravent Group (Hart & Cooley), most recently serving as Sales Director. He drove national sales strategy, managed high-performing teams, and delivered consistent, measurable growth across key markets. His talent for nurturing strong relationships with wholesalers nationwide and establishing connections within manufacturing has been a hallmark of his impressive career.
Dave holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. He lives in the Milwaukee area with his wife, Emily, and their three children. Outside of work, Dave enjoys coaching his kids’ sports teams, playing golf, and spending time on the water during the beautiful Midwest summers.
Please join us in expressing our heartfelt thanks to Laura for her years of exceptional service,
and in extending a warm welcome to Scott and Dave as they embark on their journeys with us!
DON’T MISS THE CONVERSATION
Join the ultimate mobile community hub for BLUE HAWK Members!
We are excited to see so many of you joining the HAWK Spot! Thank you to everyone who has already joined the conversation by posting a comment or question. If you haven’t visited in awhile, check it out. There are some new Member questions posted for feedback.
For those of you who haven’t yet, get started now!
So – What is HAWK Spot?
Designed to enhance collaboration and engagement among BLUE HAWK Members all year long, this dynamic new platform is your one spot for all things BLUE HAWK—offering a space to network, share resources, ask questions, and connect with like-minded leaders from across the cooperative.
Whether you’re looking for PrimeTime Promotions, Vendor Partner specials, or industry insights, the HAWK Spot brings it all to your fingertips.
Don’t want to load another app to your phone? HAWK Spot can also be accessed from your computer.
Key Features:
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- Exclusive Resources: Access member-only content, including promotions, specials, and tools to help your business thrive.
- Photo Albums & Videos: Take a walk down memory lane exploring highlights of past events.
- Member Networking: Join dynamic groups like NextLevel Leadership Development, and ERP Users to connect, share ideas, and collaborate with fellow HVACR professionals.
- Notifications: Make sure you allow notification so receive real-time updates on promotions, events, and new resources tailored to your business. But don’t worry there won’t be too many push notifications per month.
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Whether you’re looking to expand your network, share knowledge, or simply connect with peers, the HAWK Spot is your go-to platform for all things BLUE HAWK.
Scan the QR code to request access TODAY!
During the 2025 Annual Conference, we unveiled the new BLUE HAWK logo — a bold evolution that embodies the strength, unity, and trust of our cooperative.
This forward-thinking design reflects our commitment to continued growth and innovation, while honoring the values and legacy that connect our independent HVACR distributors across the nation.
To help you integrate the new branding seamlessly, we’ve created a simple Branding Guide and made the new logo files available for download in multiple formats. Included in this guide are color codes, font and logo use direction, and a reminder that BLUE HAWK is always written as two words and in all caps.
Contact Nickie Sabo, BLUE HAWK Marketing Manager, to request a download link and begin using the new logos across all platforms and printed materials moving forward. If you have any questions about the updates or need assistance, feel free to reach out to Nickie.
Thanks for helping us keep our brand strong and consistent!
Don’t Leave Rebate Dollars on the table — start tracking now
Q3 is almost here and The Dasbhoard 2.0 is officially fully integrated! Now’s the time to make sure you’re on track to maximize your rebate earnings.
As we head into the second half of the year, using The Dashboard to monitor your purchase and rebate goals is essential. The new modular design integrated the valuable metrics from the previous system, plus highly requested insights, such as ROI.
Staying on top of your progress helps ensure you meet Vendor Partner thresholds and earn every rebate dollar available.
True story: One BLUE HAWK Member was just $630 short of unlocking a double-digit rebate on $1 million in purchases recently.
They missed the window — but you don’t have to.
Check your status today. A few extra dollars in strategic purchases could mean a big boost in year-end returns.
The Dashboard
Essentials Webinar
Thursday, July 10, 2025
1:00 pm CST
What is FILL IT NOW?
FILL IT NOW is BLUE HAWK’s exclusive inventory sharing platform that empowers your company to support fellow cooperative Members by buying and selling available stock across the network.
Enhance your customer experience at the counter by logging in to quickly locate products you don’t typically carry. Train your counter, purchasing, and customer service teams now—as summer demand peaks—to ensure a smooth and efficient sourcing process.
Strengthen the cooperative and drive more sales with FILL IT NOW.
Get started today — FILL IT NOW is FREE to BLUE HAWK Members!
Reach out to Jessica Jones to gain access, watch a site demo, and start buying and/or selling today!
We’re primed and ready for your SKUs!
Earlier this year, we held a promotion encouraging Members to upload SKUs to FILL IT NOW—and the response was incredible. Sixteen Members uploaded 1,000 or more SKUs, bringing our closed inventory-sharing platform to nearly 64,000 SKUs and counting!
Now, we’re setting our sights on an even bigger goal: 100,000 SKUs by the end of 2025.
Be a part of that momentum!
Join our upcoming summer webinar to learn how to maximize the platform—upload your products, increase visibility, and make your inventory work harder for you.
FILL IT NOW Webinar
Thursday, June 26, 2025
11:00 am CST
Fill It Now is an innovative marketplace that enhances our collective purchasing power, boosts customer spend, and strengthens the cooperative. Best of all, it’s completely free for all Members to use!
Ready to get started?
Reach out to Jessica Jones or JoAnne Chessmore with MarketPush to tour the site and learn how to upload your inventory today!
Product suggestions:
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- HVACR equipment parts – capacitors, dryers, thermostats
- Water heater parts – pilots, thermostats, tanks
- Chemicals, lubricants, sealants, and applicators
- Specialty tapes
- Gas controls and control boards
- Specialty equipment – air curtains, fireplaces, generators, ice machines, wine cellars
- Hydrants, specialty pipe, and press fittings
- Appliances – dishwashers, ovens, and refrigerators
- Building materials
- Safety apparel and equipment
- Custom manufactured products
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NextLevel Kicks Off 2025 with Powerful Workshops and First Webinar
The NextLevel program had a strong start at this year’s Annual Conference with two standout workshops. Maria Rouziou, Assistant Professor of Industrial Distribution at Texas A&M, and Bryan Abraham, CEO and General Counsel of Transtar A.C. Supply, led sessions on Motivating Thriving Teams and Digital Marketing Tactics for B2B Wholesale Distributors. These engaging workshops helped members sharpen leadership skills and discover new strategies to drive business growth.
We also kicked off our NextLevel Webinar Series with a high-value session led by Paul Guidice from CoMetrics, focused on Mastering Metrics: Key Financial Insights for Wholesale Distribution Success. This webinar offered actionable insights that members can apply right away to drive performance.
What is NextLevel?
This program is designed for employees of BLUE HAWK Member companies who are ready to “level up” their careers. It’s a chance to grow industry knowledge, strengthen leadership skills, and connect with a network of future HVACR leaders.
What’s New in 2025:
- Quarterly Webinars: Hear from top industry leaders on leadership, innovation, and more—designed to fit busy schedules.
- Annual Conference Workshops: Hands-on leadership and communication training, plus networking with peers.
- HAWK Spot Community Group: Share ideas, ask questions, and build connections year-round.
- Recognition Program: Earn points for participating in events and engaging in the HAWK Spot group. Hit 10+ points and get featured in the Aerial View newsletter and at the Annual Conference.
Whether you’re new to leadership or looking to expand your influence, NextLevel offers the tools and support to help you succeed. All motivated employees of BLUE HAWK Member companies are encouraged to join.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Let’s Level Up.
Top 10 NextLevel Participants through May 2025
1. Jacob Huffstutler, Arnold-Brown Metals & Supply
1. Josh Welch, Badger Metals, Inc
1. Dante Poles, Economy Plumbing and Heating Supply
4. Stephen Agnese, Coastal Supply Group
4. Bryan Abraham, Transtar A/C Supply
4. Joseph Poles, Economy Plumbing & Heating Supply Co
7. Adam Kaskie, Plumbing & Heating Wholesale Inc.
7. Daniel Porreca, Upstate Systems Inc.
9. Kyle Maier, North Star Supply
10. Brennan Auger, CT Supply Inc.
10. Garret Beisner, D&L Parts Company
10. Joseph McCormick, Jomar Distributors
10. Jeremy Dodge, Jomar Distributors
10. Amro Abuhamda, RefCo
Point Structure Breakdown:
- Attend the Annual Conference and NextLevel Workshops = 5 points
- Download the HAWK Spot App, set up your profile, and join the NextLevel Group = 4 points
- Attend the Fall Advisory Forum or Winter Summit = 2 points each
- Attend a webinar = 1 point each
- Post or comment in the NextLevel HAWK Spot Group = 1 point each
JOIN TODAY!
This leadership development program can lead to increased responsibility and enhance your promotion prospects.
If you or someone on your team is a great fit for the program and is not yet signed up, don’t hesitate. Click the link below to get started!
A Milestone to Remember:
BLUE HAWK’s 2025 Annual Conference & 20th Anniversary Celebration
The 2025 BLUE HAWK Annual Conference in New York City was nothing short of extraordinary! Thank you to everyone who joined us to mark a major milestone—20 incredible years of strength, cooperation, and growth.
Here are a few standout moments from this unforgettable event:
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Celebrating Excellence: BLUE HAWK proudly recognized 136 outstanding award winners, including our Vendor Partners of the Year—Tier 1: Vybong Group (formerly Berry Global), Tier 2: AireForce, and Tier 3: Enerco.
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Insight & Innovation: Member-Owners gathered for important updates during the annual meeting, while our Buzzworthy Workshops delivered practical insights and fresh perspectives from industry experts.
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Building Connections: Over 5,660 Face-To-Face Meetings took place between Members and Vendor Partners—fueling the collaboration that drives our cooperative forward.
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A Night to Shine: After the business wrapped up, we celebrated in true BLUE tie fashion—with a well-deserved night of fun, connection, and appreciation.
It’s always a blast when our Members and Partners come together. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey—and here’s to the next 20 years of success!
Meet the 2025 BLUE HAWK
Board of Directors
Three new Board Directors were elected during the 2025 Annual Conference: Andrew Geiser, Binghamton Hardware & HVAC Supply; Rachel Nystrom, D&L Parts Company; and Mike Jurkowitz of Winstel Controls.
Board members Lauren Roberts will continue to serve as Chairwoman, and Bryan Abraham of Transtar A/C Supply, Inc., as Treasurer.
Sponsored by
Meet the New BLUE HAWK Board Members
Andrew Geiser
Binghamton Hardware & HVAC Supply
Rachel Nystrom
D & L Supply
Mike Jurkowitz
Winstel Controls
Congratulations to the 2025 BLUE HAWK Award Winners
Vendor Partners of the Year
Tier 1
Vybond Group
(formerly Berry Global)
Tier 2
AireForce
Tier 3
Enerco Technical Products
Category Award Winners
Distinguished Service Awards
Kevin Trimbach, 2J Supply
Joe Welch, Badger Metals
Laura Spielman, BLUE HAWK
Constance McCall-Baxley, McCall’s Supply
Michael Riley, Riley Sales
Sid Harvey, Sid Harvey Industries
Kevin Barnum, Victor Distributing
Shift The Share
- cfm Distributors, MO
- Wholesale Outlet, CA
- Federal Corporation, OK
- Beaver Steel Services, PA
- Nichols Controls & Supply, IA
- Mountainland Supply, UT
- CFM Equipment Distributors, CA
- Geary Pacific, CA
- Economy RHVAC Supply, NY
- Bender Plumbing Supplies, CT
BLUE HAWK University: Members
- Century A/C Supply, TX
- Sid Harvey Industries, NY
- Refrigeration Sales Corp., OH
- HVAC Distributors, PA
- Century HVAC Distributing, TX
PrimeTime Promotions: Members
- Winsupply Inc., OH
- Sid Harvey Industries, NY
- Southern Refrigeration, VA
- Design Air, WI
- Blevins, TN
- Carrier Great Lakes, MI
- Geary Pacific, CA
- MCN Distributors, NY
- Century A/C Supply, TX
- United Supply Co., NJ
Peak Dividend
- 2J Supply, OH
- Blevins, TN
- Century A/C Supply, TX
- Charles D. Jones Co., MO
- Coastal HVAC Supply, TX
- Design Air, WI
- Epting Distributors, SC
- Geary Pacific, CA
- Insco Distributing, TX
- Koch Air, IN
- M&A Supply, TN
- McCall’s Supply, SC
- Mountainland Supply, UT
- Reece USA, TX
- Sid Harvey Industries, NY
- Southern Refrigeration, VA
- United Supply Co., NJ
- Victor Distributing, FL
- Virginia Distributors, VA
- Winsupply, OH
Member Scorecard
- Victor Distributing, FL
- Southern Refrigeration, VA
- Design Air, WI
- HVAC Distributors, PA
- Riley Sales, PA
- AC Supply, TX
- White & Shauger, NJ
- Dunphey-Smith, NJ
- CTC Supply, NC
- The Star Supply Company, CT
BLUE HAWK University: Members by Location
- Jackson Systems LLC, IN
- Victor Distributing Co., FL
- Cate and Company, Inc., TX
- Temperature Systems Inc, WI
- Central City Supply, NY
PrimeTime Promotions: Vendor Partners
- DiversiTech
- Bosch Thermotechnology Group
- Parker HVAC Filtration
- Southwark Metal Mfg. Co.
- Nidec/U.S. Motors
- A-Gas
- Turbo Air
- RectorSeal
- Nu-Calgon
- DuraVent
Peak Dividend by Location
- AC Supply, TX
- Air Control Supply, NY
- ARCO Supply, FL
- Cate and Company, Inc., TX
- Clarke Distributing, NC
- Coastal HVAC Supply, TX
- Cumberland Trading Co. (CTC Supply), NC
- Douglas Metals & Insulation, UT
- Economy RHVAC Supply, NY
- Edmondson Plumbing & Heating Supply, KY
- Forced Air Products, WI
- Furnace & Duct Supply, RI
- Heating & AC Supply, GA
- Jackson Systems, IN
- North Florida HVAC Supply, FL
- Temperature Systems, WI
- The Harlan Company, AZ
- The Star Supply Company, CT
- Victor Distributing, FL
- Wholesale Outlet, CA
Vendor Partner Scorecard
- Gray Flex Systems
- Southwark Metal Mfg.
- Nu-Calgon
- Legend Valve
- Shurtape Technologies
- Caleffi North America
- Lucas-Milhaupt
- Aeroflex
- Dynatemp (tie)
Uei Test Instruments
BLUE HAWK University: Vendor Partners
- Resideo
- DiversiTech
- Duro Dyne
- Rectorseal
- Nu-Calgon
BLUE HAWK Gives Back 2025
Vision Beyond Sight
This year, those who signed up for the Gives Back event will gave their time and energy to VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired — a nonprofit vision rehabilitation and social service organization who provides services free of charge for people of all ages who are legally blind or severely visually impaired.
Volunteers worked together to clean, prepare, and paint the walls of VISONS’ common space rooms, creating a refreshed and smooth canvas for an upcoming community mural. By the end of the day, the group transformed the area to help foster connections and celebrate the visually impaired community.
BLUE HAWK Gives Back has logged more than 4,340 volunteer hours since May 2012, to deserving organizations and projects including Visions, Brothers Redevelopment, Lifeworks – Austin, MERISTEM, Father Joe’s Village, Durso Park PlaygroundProject, Joshua Station, Christopher Reeve Foundation, The Ulman Cancer Fund, Surf Rider Foundation Beach Clean-up, Habitat for Humanity, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, The National Parkinson’s Foundation, Boys and Girls Clubs, Girls on the Run, Arizona Basset Hound Rescue, The Tiffany Foundation, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, The Kori May Memorial Endowment Fund, Mountain Girl Rescue, Fund Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, United Way of Genesse County, and American Red Cross Midwest Division.
SPONSORED BY:
Hello, margin!
Are you here to stay?
After three-quarters of margin decline, as many BLUE HAWK members appeared to be investing margin in growth, gross margins bounced back in Q1 of 2025. The median rose to 27.7% as compared to 26.0% for the prior three quarters.
Sales continued to grow for most, but slowly. The median sales growth rate for Q1 2025 was 3.8%; however, a quarter of members experienced growth rates of 11.9% or more.
Inventory, inventory, inventory. We got a lotta inventory. Days inventory on hand returned to a median of 162 days in Q1 2025, on par with recent Q1s: 163 days in Q1 2024 and 164 days in Q1 2023. Back in the day (pre-COVID), the median days inventory on hand in Q1 was approximately four months or 120 days.
Our publicly traded friends, Watsco and Ferguson, realized generally similar trends. Ferguson grew 4.3% with a gross margin of 31.0%, up 50 bps from the prior year. Watsco also increased its gross margin to 28.1%, up 60 basis points. However, Watsco’s sales declined by 2%, driven by international declines (9% of its business), A2L transition, and lower volumes related to new housing markets.
Feel free to contact me for more information on Benchmark BLUE.
Paul Giudice
Chief Executive Officer, Cometrics
Email: paul@cometrics.com
Mobile: 857-472-4711
Schedule a Zoom meeting
Andrew Thompson
Vice President of Qualified Plan Services
The Capital Group
Email: andrew.thompson@tcgwi.com
Phone: 608-268-5100
Be Careful What You Read
With so much financial advice floating around online, it’s easy to fall into the trap of following bad—or even outright wrong—information. I often hear from people who made decisions based on headlines or social media posts that didn’t tell the whole story. The article below highlights how common (and costly) that can be, and why it’s so important to filter financial guidance carefully.
Nearly Two-Thirds of Americans Made Financial Decisions
They Regret Based on Bad Online Info
There’s a double-edged sword in the ubiquitous online financial advice available to households today: It’s accessible and inexpensive to get, but not always trustworthy. This survey in Barron’s attempted to quantify the losses. Thirty-nine percent of respondents said they lost at least $250 from bad advice; 18% say they have lost at least $1,000.
Unlock Exclusive Employee Benefit Solutions
As a valued BLUE HAWK member, you now have access to a newly expanded employee benefit program through our partnership with Risk Strategies. This program is designed to support both your employees’ well-being and your business’s bottom line.
Enjoy access to competitive health coverage and valuable supplemental benefits, which are built with the needs of independent businesses in mind.
Program highlights include:
- Proprietary Level-Funded Medical Plan – Innovative coverage that can deliver savings of up to 30%
- Comprehensive Ancillary Benefits – Dental, vision, life, and disability insurance with group pricing and multi-year rate guarantees
- Compliance and HR Support – Expert guidance to help you stay compliant and focused on your business
- Benefit Administration Technology – Simplify enrollment and plan management
- Open Enrollment Assistance – Navigate benefit selection with ease
- Digital Benefit Guides – Access key information online, anytime
Let’s connect and explore how these benefits can work for your business.
Reach out today, take advantage of these benefits, and ensure your company’s future healthcare costs are managed effectively.
Email:
joboyle@risk-strategies.com
414-287-6424
2025: A Year of Celebration for
BLUE HAWK and Cooperatives
around the world!
The United Nations named 2025 the Year of Cooperatives to lift up co-ops as people-centered businesses at the heart of their communities. The UN first recognized the impact of co-ops in 2012. Now, under the theme “Cooperatives Build a Better World,” the global spotlight is on the critical role co-ops play in building the economy, strengthening democracy, and creating a sustainable future.
As we continue to celebrate 20 years of BLUE HAWK, we’re proud to be part of this global movement. Since day one, our cooperative has thrived on empowering independent businesses through collaboration, innovation, and shared success.
All year long, we’ll be spotlighting some of the incredible members who fuel our growth and make a difference in their communities and the HVACR industry. Together, we build a better world.
Read the next Member Spotlight below and see how our members continue to thrive and make an impact in the cooperative.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS
Riley Sales
Headquarters: Philadelphia, PA, with nine locations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Joined BLUE HAWK: 2005 – We are proud to say that we’re one of the Founding Members of BLUE HAWK Cooperative.
President & CEO: Michael Riley – He is a former member of the BLUE HAWK Board of Directors
Brag Bit: Every employee gets their birthday off (paid) after being here for one year.
As a founding Member, share some insight on how BLUE HAWK came to be the dynamic cooperative it is today.
BLUE HAWK was originally the vision of Dan Blier from Able Distributors. In those early days, I was tasked with recruiting Vendor Partners, and at our very first meeting in Arizona, we actually had more vendors in attendance than Members. That proved to us the potential was real, and that we needed to expand quickly. We brought in Bud Poe to lead Member recruitment, and shortly thereafter, and hired Colleen Leppert as Vice President.
It was clear from that first gathering that BLUE HAWK had the foundation for something special, and together with Dan and the board, we recognized the need for a seasoned executive to guide our growth. Lance Rantala became our first CEO and was the unanimous choice to lead the organization forward. His leadership helped set the tone for the strong, collaborative co-op we are today.
How has BLUE HAWK made a positive difference for Riley Sales?
BLUE HAWK has played a huge role in the success of both its Members and Partners over the past 20 years. For Riley Sales, the co-op has created opportunities for profitable growth, stronger vendor relationships, and valuable collaboration with like-minded distributors. Beyond the financial impact, BLUE HAWK provides a sense of community and shared purpose that makes doing business more rewarding and enjoyable.
One of the seven Cooperative Principles is Education, Training and Information — What does Riley Sales do with/for employees to develop their skills on a regular basis?
At Riley Sales, ongoing education and training are a top priority. We’ve invested in a dedicated training center at our newest location, where we regularly conduct sessions for both employees and customers. In addition to in-person training, we develop and distribute instructional videos that cover our standard operating procedures and best practices. These resources are shared with all employees to ensure consistency and support the continuous development of our team.
In October 2024, Riley Sales was recognized by The Arc of Chester County as the 2024 Employer of the Year.
The Arc of Chester County, established in 1952, does amazing work in the community to advocate, educate, and provide services to empower individuals with disabilities and their families to enhance the quality of their lives.
Congratulations, Riley Sales!
Where Convenience Meets Savings
Check out the S4M Savings Square, the place where you can get immediate access to self-service savings programs. Giving S4M members immediate access to product-based programs and coupons from the brands you know and love.
Check back often for the latest and greatest savings opportunities like the limited-time ADP Promotion that ends August 1, 2025.
Contact Veronica Pratt:
Phone: 603-628-2337
Email: vpratt@savings4members.com
Businesses across the trades — including distributors, manufacturers, retailers, and contractors — often find it challenging to offer strong employee training programs. The return on investment isn’t always immediate, making training one of the first areas to face cuts, especially during economic uncertainty. And after workforce trends like the Great Resignation and Quiet Quitting, it’s easy to question whether going beyond the bare minimum is worth it.
Creating high-quality training content that can be delivered repeatedly to new hires takes both time and resources — two things that are often in short supply.
That’s where BLUE HAWK University (BHU) comes in. Included at no cost with your membership, BHU offers bite-sized, interactive product training courses that are easy to access and engaging to complete. You can also build custom training tracks, giving your team — whether new or seasoned — the knowledge they need, when they need it.
Member-Owners:
If you haven’t already and want to start using BHU Vendor Partner Product Training, reach out to Michelle Phillips at bhu@bluehawkcooperative.com.
Vendor Partners:
To begin or expand your content offering, contact BlueVolt’s Partner Success Team at Partnersuccess@bluevolt.com.
BHU is powered by BlueVolt, a trusted leader in online training for the trades and their distribution channels for over 20 years.
8,362 University Student Enrollments
March 16, 2025 – June 15, 2025
BHU Member Recognition is based upon the total number of Vendor Partner product training modules completed during the previous three months.
Top BHU Participants
- Ryan Sears, Sid Harvey Industries, NY
- Bill Hevel, Victor Distributing Co., FL
- Jarrett Zongora, Sid Harvey Industries, NY
- Randall Barnette, Sid Harvey Industries, NY
- Kelly Stone, HVAC Distributors, PA
- Vanessa Paris Pena, Core Distributing Central, LLC, TX
- Joe Monica, Sid Harvey Industries, NY
- Sean Parker, Winstel Controls, OH
- John Arredondo, Century HVAC Distributing, TX
- Rachel Jamil-Bryan, Alpine Supply, LLC, VI
- Parker Shirkey, Temperature Systems Inc, WI
- Benjamin Safarz, Winstel Controls, OH
- Evan Schwertner, Insco Distributing, TX
- Alan Kesterson, R & E Supply (Refrig & Electric), AR
- Sheila McArthur, Century A/C Supply, TX
- Brandon Walsh, Sid Harvey Industries, NY
- Lex Crespo, Riley Sales, PA
- Amanda Smith, Trible’s, Inc., MD
- Mark Safko, Sid Harvey Industries, NY
- Salvador Anaya, Benoist Bros. Supply Co., IL
New BHU Courses
ESP Company
- 2025 Spring New Products
Johns Manville
- Introduction to OEM
- OEM HVAC Equipment Insulation
- The Science of Insulating Ducts
Oatey SCS
- Cherne Mechanical Cleanout Plug Overview
- Dearborn Safety Series ADA Compliant Lavatory Tubular Covers Overview
- Hercules Thread Sealant Product Overview
Proline Products
- Heat Stress & Heat-Injuries Course
- Hydration & Electrolyte Training Program
RectorSeal
- Aspen White Series for Mini-Split Systems
- Aspen Condensate Pumps for Mini-Split Systems
Resideo
- SC5 Smart Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm Maintenance and Troubleshooting
- SC5 Smart Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm Overview
- Tech Tip – Leveraging the Benefits of the Resideo Pro app – Keep Track and Drive Consistency with your Installs
- Tech Tip – SC5 Smart Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm Technologies
Shurtape
- Multi-Surface Painter’s Tapes – Syndication
- Packaging Tapes 101 – Syndication
- Paint & Masking Tapes 101 – Syndication
- Paint & Masking Tapes 201 – Syndication
- Performance Masking Tapes 101 – Syndication
REBATE STATEMENTS & DIVIDEND PAYMENTS
The April (M04) 2025 Member Statement includes Guaranteed Rebates, Prior Year (PY) Adjustments, and PrimeTime Promotion rebates reported in April. Your Member Statement is posted to the Online Community for your review.
Only Members set up for Automated Clearing House (ACH) will receive monthly patronage dividends. If your company is set up for ACH payments, a payment corresponding to the M04 Member Statement was deposited into your bank account.
Monthly patronage dividends are paid around 45 days after the close of the month, except in December. BLUE HAWK closes out the calendar year and conducts a third-party financial audit in early March. The December (M12) 2025 patronage dividends will be sent mid- to late-March 2026.
To receive patronage dividends monthly, members must sign up for Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments. If you’d like to make the transition, contact Scott Meredith and he will assist with the sign-up process.
CO-OP CONNECTIONS
& CELEBRATIONS
Visits, meetings, and celebrations of and with our incredible Members are a highlight for the BLUE HAWK staff. Sharing ideas, learning about your goals, and strengthening our co-op connections in this way are all signs that, together, we are on the path to achieve greatness.
DO YOU HAVE NEWS TO SHARE?
We love celebrating the successes of our co-op members. If you have exciting news—whether it’s a business achievement, community project, special event, or employee milestone—let us know so we can celebrate together!
Keep up with our
Co-op Connections online
