Occupation: “Owner of Energysavers, a hearth and spa specialty retail store.”

Special Interests/Hobbies: “I enjoy carpentry projects, riding and working on motorcycles and sports cars that I own. I like to play golf, even though I’m not very good at it, but really, who is?”

Problems/Issues Facing the Hearth Industry: “The problems include government regulations on products, educating the national, state and local administrators, and also consumers, on the safety and benefits of using a skilled professional to sell and install their quality hearth products.

“I understand that manufacturers are holding off on new designs because of the upcoming changes in regulations, but the days of Research and Duplicate have to end. We need to get back to Research and Development of new looks and designs that will capture the consumers’ attention and make them want a new product.”

Key Trends in the Hearth Industry Today: “In the central and mountain areas of New Hampshire the trend has been leaning more and more to gas (fireplaces, stoves, inserts).”

Forecast for the Hearth Industry in 2017: “In my area I see new construction of mid-range value homes $300k-$600k, and high-end homes $1m-$5m+, continue to grow at a slow but steady pace.”

Forecast for the Spa Industry in 2017: “Over the past three years, sales of spas have come back to pre-2008/2009 numbers. I see it as stable with slight growth for 2017.”

Years Reading Hearth & Home: “Well, I’ve been in the hearth industry since 1978 and I think I read the first issue.” Ed. Note: Yep, that was in December of 1979.

Reasons for Reading Hearth & Home: “Richard, his staff, and all the writers work very hard to give us good, up-to-date, pertinent information that we can use in our business. It has always been a great source for what is going on all over the country and in our backyard.”