Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International has promoted Emily Saving to executive vice President, Palmer Schoening to vice president, government affairs and Alex Ayers to director, government affairs.

Jon Melchi, HARDI vice president of government and external affairs, is stepping away from the HVACR distribution industry after seven years of service to head the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio, effective Dec. 15.

"Serving this industry has been an honor and a privilege," Melchi said. "Together we've built up HARDI Advocacy into a force to be reckoned with in D.C., passionately representing the HVACR industry and wholesale distribution. That mantle is being picked up by the best of hands in Palmer and Alex. Thank you to the fantastic HARDI membership for being the paragon of trade association communities."

Saving served as vice President of services and operations prior to the new promotion.

"I am honored to expand upon my service to HARDI membership in this new capacity," Saving said. "And continue to advance the industry in a meaningful way, and to make the value of HARDI membership invaluable."

Schoening and Ayers have served as HARDI's Washington D.C.-based consultants on government affairs since 2014.

"We have an incredibly talented team here at HARDI," said CEO Talbot Gee. "Although Jon will be truly missed, I am confident in our ability to adapt and continue with the growth trajectory the association is seeing with Emily, Palmer and Alex. I look forward to more great developments for our members and the HVACR industry as we head into 2018."