May 2026
We recently spoke with Randy Morris, a retired HPBA member and past president of Southeast HPBA. Read on to learn about his reflections on the industry and the people who shaped it.
Randy Morris built his career on a simple conviction: Take care of everyone in the chain.
Over several decades in the hearth industry, that meant earning the trust of manufacturers, colleagues, dealers, and the homeowners at the end of the line — and then keeping it. This conviction shaped his career working at Hearth & Home Technologies, Dimplex, and Napoleon. Wherever he worked, Morris built a reputation as a relationship-driven sales professional who always put customer service above everything else.
"From manufacturer to the end-user of hearth products, I was committed to the satisfaction of all," Morris said.
A Career Built on Relationships
Morris credits much of his success to the people he met along the way, especially the ones who pushed him to fulfill his potential.
The list is long, but a handful stand out for the impact they had on his career, including Dave Cribb at Hearth & Home Technologies and later Napoleon, the Schroeder family — Wolfgang, Ingrid, Chris, and Stephen — who own Napoleon, and John Czerwonka, also at Napoleon.
"All challenged me to be better at what I did and how to succeed in this industry," Morris said.
Ron Koosmann, Kevin Gardiner, and Randy Morris
There were two others who helped him stay in the industry when he might have stepped away. Kevin Gardiner, his first regional manager at Napoleon, helped reignite his interest in the work following a brief departure. Also, Keith Thomas, a colleague and friend, convinced him to stay for an extra year before retirement.
These relationships are inseparable from the work itself, according to Morris.
"Every one of my colleagues and customers had some sort of impact on me through mentoring and friendships," he said.
Service Across the Chain
Asked what he was most proud of during his career, he had no doubt that it was the companies he was associated with, which he felt were the best in the industry. “I was proud to be associated with innovators who kept the industry alive through technological advancement,” he said.
In sales, he believes trust is the skill that matters most. Earning and keeping trust affects far more than a single transaction. It shapes a person’s reputation, a company’s standing, and even the perception of the industry as a whole.
This conviction guided both his sales work and his volunteer service with the affiliate.
Leading Southeast HPBA
Morris served as president of Southeast HPBA for two years. He stepped into the role through succession, and he is quick to redirect credit toward the people around him.
"Board members help make an affiliate successful," he said.
In his view, active participation, group discussion, and voting on issues that affect the broader association are what moves the industry forward.
He is also a strong advocate for bringing new blood into the industry. Younger members have a fluency with newer tools and technology, and they can complement the broader experience of members who have been in the industry for many years.
The combination is crucial and strengthens the interpersonal connections the industry depends on.
Advice and What Comes Next
Morris's advice for the next generation of HPBA leaders is simple and consistent with how he has lived his career. "Stay involved with passion," he said. "Be a voice to be heard through involvement in your specific affiliate."
Now that he has retired, his focus is on family. He plans to spend more time in Minnesota with his children and two grandsons. He is grateful to his family for putting up with the extensive business travel his career required.
He has discovered a love of travel. A recent trip to Vietnam with his daughter was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, it sparked a keen desire to see more of the world.
A Lasting Impact
We appreciate everything that Morris has contributed to the industry, and we’re grateful for the leadership, commitment, and heart he has given. He has made a lasting impact, and we are sure that many adventures await him in this next chapter of his life.