The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) named Edward Hosack, the West Coast Sales Manager of Travis Industries, a 2025 Advocate of the Year. Presented at HPBExpo25, the award recognizes individuals who demonstrate leadership in public policy and advocacy. Hosack was honored for his decades-long work in government affairs and for defending energy choice in Washington State. He and Daniel Hammer, the President of Sutter Home & Hearth were honored with this year’s Advocate of the Year awards.
A Career in Advocacy
Hosack’s advocacy journey began in 2000, shortly after joining the board of the Northwest Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (NWHPBA). Mentored by the late Tom Pugh, the long-time Government Affairs Committee Chairman. Hosack quickly became engaged in political issues affecting the industry. Over the years, he has testified before legislators, led fundraising drives, and coordinated factory visits for lawmakers.
He also attended the Government Affairs Academy, now known as the Government Affairs Leadership Academy. GALA offers training on leadership and how to communicate with legislators and navigate the political landscape.
“People are intimidated by legislators. I was, too, at first,” he said. “But the first time I met a big-budget decision-maker, he walked in wearing a hoodie, sat down, took off his shoes, and I realized: he’s just a guy. We’re all just people.”
Leading the Charge on I-2066
One of his most impactful efforts was the 2023–2024 campaign to protect fuel choice in Washington through the I-2066 ballot initiative. While the initiative was a coalition effort, Hosack played a crucial role in raising awareness and soliciting funding from manufacturers, distributors, and dealers.
“I spent countless hours on the phone, walking people through why this mattered,” he recalled. “People don’t follow the legislation closely, so I’d call them, explain what was at stake, and ask for support. It took a lot of educating.”
The campaign became a rallying point for hearth professionals across the state, bringing many people together who hadn’t previously seen advocacy as a priority. “It brought people together,” he said. “Dealers were reaching out to their friends, sending emails, asking who they could call. That level of involvement was huge.”
He sees the initiative as a “defining moment” for what the industry can accomplish when it works together.
Demystifying the Industry
Hosack has hosted numerous state and federal policymakers at Travis Industries’ factory. “We’d walk them through what we do and show them our gas, wood, pellet appliances. It’s not just a metal box,” he said. “We’d show them the R&D, the testing, everything that goes into making a stove clean and efficient.” Those experiences help break down misconceptions and give lawmakers a clearer picture of what’s at stake. “Most of them have no idea what goes into our products. Seeing it up close changes that.”
He’s extended the same outreach to regulators and building code officials, often in partnership with other manufacturers. “The goal is always the same: help them understand what we actually do, and why it matters.”
After four decades in the industry, Hosack remains vigilant, knowing that new legislative challenges can arise at any time. His advice for other industry professionals is to get involved at the local level with their HPBA affiliate, and to attend the HPBA’s Government Affairs Leadership Academy (GALA).
“They’ll teach you everything you need to know,” he said.