Doug is the Chairman and CEO of Paradigm (PAIR-ah-dime) Associates LLC,
a company he founded in 1985 and is now represented by professionals in multiple states. He has worked with clients in over fifty different industries and sectors, representing every corner of the US and Canada. He has worked with people from Central America, Europe, Asia, and South Africa. He has been invited back to speak to MAHPBA and HPBEF/NFI conferences multiple times.

His previous career included line and staff management responsibilities in several companies, including Procter & Gamble.

While attending the University of Delaware, Doug was active locally and nationally. He led campus and national organizations, earned an internship in the US Senate, and received an Undergraduate Research Grant to study Leadership Styles vs. Group Behavior.

An active member of the Meadowlands Regional Chamber, Doug received the Arline Simpson Leadership Award in 2014. The New York Society of Association Executives (NYSAE) honored him as its Outstanding Associate Member in 2017, and the Trusted Advisors Network inducted Doug into their Hall of Fame in 2019.

When not working, Doug is an active member of the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) and President of the Atlantic Harmony Brigade. Doug was elected to the Mid-Atlantic District (M-AD) Board of Directors and the BHS International Board of Directors. In 2015, M-AD inducted him into their Hall of Honor. He and his wife, Jill, have two adult children and a cat named Pickles.

Johanna Dorn is a seasoned professional with a rich background in the hearth industry, boasting a career spanning nearly three decades. Since 1995, she has been an integral part of Costello's Hearth & Spa, where she currently serves as the Director of Category Management, Marketing, and Sales.

Johanna's passion for the hearth industry shines through her commitment to education and is underscored by her NFI (National Fireplace Institute) certifications in wood, pellet, and gas, elevating her to the esteemed status of a Master Hearth Professional (MHP). Furthermore, her proficiency is recognized with the NFI Hearth Design Specialist certification, demonstrating her comprehensive understanding of hearth design principles.

Keith worked as an installer and service technician in residential, commercial, and light industrial applications from 1987 to 2008. He then joined Ray Murray, Inc. as a technical service representative, advising on equipment selection , installation and service of various propane applications including heating, hearth and plant systems.

Shannon founded The Good Marketing Group in 2003. Specializing in campaign management, graphic design, media planning, on-line marketing, social media and SEO/SEM, Shannon looks at the unique goals of her clients and creatively 'integrates' various media to accomplish those goals, on any marketing budget!

Shannon believes having a successful marketing campaign must include an understanding of the target audience. Therefore, Shannon and Brad feel they have a unique perspective for their clients because they are also husband and wife small business owners who meet the demographics or "target audience” for their client's products and services. Shannon and Brad also get involved in their client's industries so they can fully understand the relevant benefits and value to the target audience to allow for effective communications and messaging.

As a previous member of the Board of Directors for the Mid-Atlantic Hearth Patio Barbecue Association (MAHPBA), Shannon learned the various terminology and the sales/operation process while always keeping the customer experience top of mind. In addition, Good Marketing Group is also an approved affinity partner of HPBA. This involvement includes teaching marketing tips at the national and regional conventions and providing discounted marketing services for members.

Brad works closely with clients and affinity partners to develop new strategies, improve existing ones and develop on-line marketing tools. Additionally, Brad manages Google Ads, data research and direct marketing.

One of the strengths to understanding the home service market is that he is a demographic target customer himself. This gives GMG unique and vital insight into speaking with a client's potential customer.

Jeffrey Ritter began his federal service career enlisting in the U.S. Air Force at age 17. He served overseas in Germany during the cold war as a Security Police Specialist. Upon completion of an active-duty extension in 1991 due to the Gulf War he continued in the Air National Guard and then the Reserves while attending and eventually graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology from Western Connecticut State University.

He worked for an environmental consulting company as an Industrial Hygienist for 2 years before joining Federal OSHA in 2000 as a Safety and Health Compliance Specialist. In July 2000 he received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army National Guard and served as an Infantry Officer. He deployed to Afghanistan in 2006 and again in 2010. Mr. Ritter currently holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Army National Guard and is the Battalion Commander of a Military Police Training Battalion at the 169th Regional Training Institute Camp Nett Niantic, Connecticut with 37 years of service.

In March 2021 after conducting over 700 OSHA Inspections he began his current job as the Compliance Assistance Specialist for the OSHA Wilkes-Barre Area Office. He is a member of OSHA's National Specialized Response Team (SRT) for biological events. Mr. Ritter is an OSHA Authorized Outreach Trainer for the OSHA-10 and 30 hour courses in both Construction and General Industry. He is also an active member of the American Society of Safety Professionals.

Rich Sedgwick is the Executive Director of the National Fireplace Institute. A graduate of Towson University with a degree in Business, Rich was a retail business owner for 20 years. After selling the business in July 2019 he came to work for the National Fireplace Institute. Rich also served on the Mid-Atlantic Hearth Patio and Barbecue Association Board for 7 years culminating as President in 2018. Rich has taught many industry classes for the National Fireplace Institute including technical and safety classes.

When not working you can find him at the beach with family, crabbing, or Training Jiu Jitsu. Rich currently resides in the Washington DC area with his family and can be contacted at sedgwick@nficertified.org.

Ever since he first got connected to the internet (AOL dial up in 1997), Brandon has been building things online, including personal blogs and websites for non-profit organizations. Over the last decade, Brandon has helped outdoor living companies grow their businesses online through digital marketing. He is currently a Local SEO Analyst at Sterling Sky, a top-rated local SEO agency in the United States and Canada. Brandon is a frequent contributor to industry publications and speaker at trade shows & conferences, including the NAHB International Builders' Show, Pubcon, and LocalU. When not working, Brandon likes playing pickleball and disc golf. Brandon lives with his wife and two children in the heart of Amish Country in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.