Susie Smith, branch manager for cfm Distributors, Kansas City, MO, is the first person to complete an education and training review under the new HARDI Counter Certification program.
According to the HARDI training staff, Susie's background is truly impressive and helped her quickly earn more than enough points toward recognition as a HARDI associate counter specialist. In fact, after completing just a few additional mandatory steps, including a 100-question examination, Susie is most likely to become the first HARDI-certified counter specialist, as she has successfully completed the 100-question on-line test required for certification.
cfm Distributors Inc. is a major distributor of air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment parts and supplies, with locations in Des Moines, IA, Lenexa and Wichita, KS, and Springfield, MO. Company headquarters is in Kansas City. Kevin Morris, parts director (among other duties) for cfm Distributors, was quick to get involved in the new program launched just last March by HARDI's Education Committee.
“Within this last year, all of my counter personnel have become EPA- certified, and it is my goal that all of my parts personnel are going to be involved in the HARDI Counter Certification program,” Morris said. “The HARDI distance learning courses, too, are a perfect fit for us here at cfm — training not limited by a calendar or the availability of a training instructor.”
“The counter is clearly the face of the company, and many customers link the counter staff to the reputation of the company,” said Education Committee Chair Dan Hinchman, Aierco Supply Inc. He adds, “In this age of credentials, a certified counter staff is going to be an important brand identifier to distinguish a HARDI wholesaler from the competition.”
To date, more than 150 HARDI firms have requested counter information kits. The kit describes the exact criteria for each level of recognition and includes a core competencies checklist for the on-the-job phase of the review. The program is only open to HARDI member companies. For more information or for your kit, contact the HARDI office at 888/253-2128 or e-mail [email protected].