ALEXANDRIA, VA — Electrical Distributor CapitalTristate, a Sonepar Company, has established the John Hardy Lifetime Achievement Award in honor of outgoing CapitalTristate president John Hardy. The 2014 award was presented to Bert Wheeler, an outside sales associate in the Baltimore area. The award was presented for the first time during an awards ceremony at the company’s annual business meeting on Jan. 31 at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center Hotel.
To commemorate Mr. Hardy’s many contributions to the company and his long career of continued dedication to his customers, his employees, and the company, the management team decided to establish an annual award in his name that would carry on his legacy of excellence for many years to come.
The award will be presented annually to an employee who “personifies the commitment to professional excellence and achievement” and embodies the company’s core values — Accountable, Respectful, Ethical, Profitable and Professional — that Mr. Hardy himself exemplified throughout his entire career.
John Hardy has been with CapitalTristate for 43 years, serving as president for the last 20. Mr. Hardy decided to step down from his role as president effective Jan. 1, 2015. He will be taking on a new role within the Sonepar USA management team as Executive Vice President of Business Development. Alan Rosenfeld, previously COO, has been appointed to succeed Mr. Hardy as President of CapitalTristate.
Mr. Hardy was surprised when the new award in his name was first presented at the awards ceremony. “I never expected anything like this. It’s humbling, for sure.”
Bert Wheeler, this year’s award recipient, has been with the company for 30 years. Mr. Wheeler has also consistently received awards for exceptional sales performance for the past several years.
“I couldn’t be more honored or thrilled. It feels very rewarding and fulfilling, and I feel revitalized to know that all the hard work is noticed by people.” expressed Mr. Wheeler. “I am honored beyond words to be associated with a gentleman such as John [Hardy]. I hope to be able to project the leadership and vision he has and to continue to live up to his expectations, his values, and his legacy.”
