HPBA is sad to announce that Tom Pugh passed away over the weekend. Tom ran Lloyd F. Pugh & Associates as a manufacturers’ rep, carrying on the business started by his father. He will be missed by many in the industry for his many contributions and his many hours of service to HPBA.

Tom chaired HPBA’s Government Affairs Committee twice, starting in the late 1990s. He brought HPBA’s government affairs efforts into the mainstream – something needed with the increased attention by federal, state, and local governments in the last ten years. Tom was adept at identifying new issues on the horizon and quickly seeing the best strategy for the industry. Most recently, Tom had alerted the HPBA Board to the next challenge facing the industry – the adoption of green building standards at the state and local levels.

Tom was also very devoted to education. His trademarks were Blueprint for Success, The Art of Sales, Surviving the Storm: Managing a Retail Store in an Economic Downturn, and All Politics Is Local. Tom was also instrumental in establishing HPBA’s Government Affairs Academy, which was designed to place a cadre of members “on the ground” to defend the industry at the state and local level.  The Academy lives on, and is a fitting tribute to Tom.

The most important thing about Tom was his passion for the hearth industry. He loved the industry and its people and wanted them to prosper. He gave countless hours as a volunteer to HPBA, the Northwest HPBA, HPBA Canada, and the Western Chapter of HPBA Canada. He never said that he didn’t have time if you asked him for help. This commitment was recognized by HPBA in 2007 when he received the Flame of Honor Award, which is only granted occasionally to someone who has made an extraordinary contribution to the industry.

The hearth industry has lost a leader, but Tom’s countless contributions will continue to strengthen and empower all of us.

Memorial arrangements have not yet been announced by Tom’s family.