Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) and Texas A&M University’s Master of Industrial Distribution (MID) program have announced the recipients of the 2025 Daniel Jennings Memorial Scholarship. Katie Blaufuss of Trane Technologies and Joni Lora of Marcone Plumbing will each receive $5,000 in scholarship funds to support their graduate studies.
The scholarship honors Dr. Daniel F. Jennings, founding Director of the MID program at Texas A&M’s College of Engineering. It is awarded to professionals demonstrating a commitment to advancing the HVACR distribution channel through leadership and education.
Katie Blaufuss is a Strategic Sales Executive at Trane Technologies, where she supports national distribution strategies and dealer networks. She serves as Chair of HARDI’s Supplier Council and participates in the HARDI Emerging Leaders program and Women in HVACR.
Joni Lora is a Territory Manager for Marcone Plumbing, overseeing strategic growth in Washington State across military, facility, and residential markets. She has more than 25 years of experience in sales, manufacturing, and government consulting, with a focus on supply chain optimization.
Each recipient will receive the $5,000 scholarship distributed across four semesters. The MID program provides training in distribution strategy, supply chain management, and business leadership for industry professionals.
“This industry thrives when we invest in its people,” said Stella Gary-Keane, Vice President of Talent Development at HARDI. “Joni and Katie represent the kind of talent and drive that will carry HVACR into its next era.”
