James "JR" Yates joined the family business in 1972, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, founder N.H. Yates, his grandmother, Mary Yates, and his father and three uncles.
For distributors, the Expo is a place to meet peers in different facets of the industry, as well as contractor customers, and have a peek at new products and technology.
With Blitzz, an APR technical service advisor can instantly see live video from the contractor’s smartphone camera, allowing him or her to visually assess the problem and collaborate with the contractor.
The event attracted nearly 100 mechanical and electrical contractors from the surrounding area, opening the door for new business avenues both for Republic and its manufacturer partners.
After working in the textile industry, Kimble found his calling in the HVAC industry. He worked for several companies, finishing up his career with 18 years at Jackson Systems & Supply.