Happy New Year, everyone! I hope your holiday season was full of good times with family and friends and left you feeling refreshed, ready to take on a new year.

This issue has a heavy focus on looking ahead throughout 2024. Between our annual industry forecast article, the 14^th annual American Supply Association-Supply House Times distributor roundtable discussion and The Beringer Group’s Brad Williams economic predictions for 2024, you’ll find insight from industry pros about what they anticipate this next year to look like.

You may remember that the December 2023 issue housed Dan Holohan’s last monthly column. We actually put together a tribute article to Dan in this issue which includes his Top 10 most-read articles from www.supplyht.com.

While it is bittersweet to see Dan go, I’m extremely excited for you to check out our two new regular columnists — Dave Yates and Alicia Branham. Now, neither of these names are new to the industry, or Supply House Times. Yates has been a longtime contributor to our sister publications, Plumbing & Mechanical and PM Engineer.

Born and raised in York, Pennsylvania, Yates began his career in the PHCP-PVF trades in 1972 with F. W. Behler. After serving his apprenticeship and working up to master plumber status, Yates struck out on his own in 1979. In 1985, he purchased F.W. Behler, a third-generation plumbing/HVAC firm. This company has won many awards for its work, and Yates, an award winner himself, was the first recipient of the international Carlson-Holohan Industry Award of Excellence.

Yates’ column, “Counter Talk,” will run quarterly in Supply House Times to share the inside perspective of the contractor. What do they need and want from their wholesaler-distributors? Dave Yates is ready to tell you.

Branham has contributed a few guest articles for Supply House Times over the past couple of years, and she’s ready to make it a more regular deal. Branham comes with a unique perspective including more than 23 years in the design and marketing field and a longtime spent working at Apollo Valves. Her PVF industry background has her in the perfect position to tailor that marketing knowledge directly to our industry. Her monthly column, “Marketing Matters,” will cover all things digital marketing — along with some other great nuggets of information — as it relates to the PHCP-PVF world.

Lastly, as with every new year, we have a new ASA President who will write a monthly column all year. Coburn Supply Co.'s Patrick Maloney kicks of 2024 talking about tackling challenges head-on in his first column. Be sure to keep up with all things ASA in Maloney's column each month.

Join me in welcoming these great additions. I look forward to a year full of fresh, relevant content and watching the PHCP-PVF supply chain flourish.