Top row, from left to right: Kip Rumens, Travis Industries; Paul Nigon, Napoleon Products; Jill McClure, Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association; Andrew Hasek, Hearth & Home Technologies, Inc.; Chris Schroeter, Napoleon; Shawna Robinson, Robinson Sales & Marketing; Wendy Salter, Modern Gas Company, Inc.; Sherief Mohamed, Glen Dimplex; Shannon Rodgers, Jøtul North America, Inc.; Adam Soliman, Duravent; Chris Patterson, Western Hearth Distributors; Casey Harvey, Ray Murray, Inc.; Leo Kosirog, Porter’s Mountain View Supply; Laura Litchfield, Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association of Canada; Dan Bonar, ICC Industrial Chimney Co.; Joan Nutting, Maschino’s, Inc.; Shane Hunt, Forge Distribution Inc.
Bottom row, from left to right: Eric Romero, OJ Fireplaces; Henry Hall, Skytech II, Inc.; Nick Bauer, Empire Comfort Systems; Kris Richardson, RPG Brands; Sudhir Lamba, Regency Fireplace Products/FPI; Pete Anderson, Woodland Direct, Inc.
March 23, 2026
The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) Board of Directors met at HPBExpo26 and is pleased to announce leadership changes that reflect its ongoing commitment to fostering innovation and growth across the industry.
Kris Richardson, President & Founder of RPG Brands, has served as the Chair of the HPBA Board of Directors for one year and will continue for a second term. Richardson has helped drive meaningful progress, positioning the association for continued growth and success.
“We look forward to continuing our work with Kris Richardson as the association’s Chair,” said Jill McClure, President & CEO of HPBA. “Over the past year, Kris has approached decisions with focus and intention, and with the industry’s best interest and future in mind. We look forward to building on that momentum as we continue to advance the association’s mission, prepare for the future of our industry, and serve our members.”
Joining the HPBA Board of Directors are Paul Nigon, Category Manager at Napoleon, and Sean Hunt, President at Forge Distribution Inc.
As three members of the board conclude their service, we recognize and thank them for their contributions. Adam Lee, President of Brownstone Distributing, Inc.; Dan Bonar, Vice President, Residential Products at ICC Industrial Chimney Co.; and Chris Schroeter, Co-CEO of Napoleon, have completed their terms on the HPBA Board. We are grateful for their leadership, contributions, and impact on the organization.
The next HPBA board meeting will be held this summer in Washington, D.C. It will take place alongside a visit to Capitol Hill, and the new Government Affairs Leadership Academy (GALA) will meet the same week.