Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International has announced the recipients of the 2025 HARDI x MID $5,000 Daniel Jennings Memorial Scholarship. This year’s recipients exemplify the kind of forward-thinking leadership that will shape the future of the HVACR industry for years to come.
This year’s scholarship recipients are as follows:
- Katie Blaufuss is a strategic sales executive at Trane Technologies with over 15 years of experience across finance, banking and HVAC. She supports national distribution strategies and dealer networks, working closely with private equity-backed consolidators. Blaufuss serves as chair of HARDI’s supplier council and is a member of the HARDI Emerging Leaders program and Women in HVACR.
- Joni Lora, LSSBB, is a territory manager for Marcone Plumbing, overseeing strategic growth across Washington state in military, facility and residential plumbing markets. With more than 25 years of experience in sales, manufacturing and government consulting, she brings a strong focus on efficiency and supply chain optimization. Lora is also a long-time educator and mentor within the industry.
Both recipients will soon begin their graduate studies in the Master of Industrial Distribution Program at Texas A&M University’s College of Engineering. The scholarship, established to honor the legacy of Dr. Daniel F. Jennings, the founding director of the program, supports professionals who are committed to strengthening the HVACR channel through education and leadership.
Each recipient will receive $5,000 in scholarship funds, distributed across four semesters, to support their studies in the MID program. The program equips industry professionals with advanced skills in distribution strategy, supply chain management and business leadership—critical competencies for the evolving HVACR landscape.
To learn more about the Daniel Jennings Memorial Scholarship and other HARDI talent initiatives, please visit hardinet.org.
