LYNCHBURG, Va. (Jan. 31, 2007) -- N.B. Handy Company of Lynchburg, Va., one of the nation's leading distributors of HVAC equipment and supplies, has recognized Soto Ioannou of Mt. Vernon HVAC Company of Chantilly, Va. as the 2006 Dealer of the Year for Westinghouse products in the Northern region, which includes Virginia, Maryland, and eastern Tennessee.

The award was presented by David Wadsworth, N.B. Handy Manager of Equipment Sales, at the first Northern Region dealers' meeting held at the Williamsburg Lodge in Williamsburg, Va.

Also recognized for Outstanding Sales Performance in 2006 were Jon Morrison of Crystal Clear Mechanical of Ocean City, Md., and Paul Davis of Davis Sheet Metal of Winchester, Va.

N.B. Handy Company is Virginia and Maryland's exclusive distributor for Westinghouse's extensive product line, which is manufactured by Nordyne, Inc. of St Louis, Mo. Nordyne also manufactures the Kelvinator and Gibson product lines distributed by N.B. Handy Company in the mid-Atlantic and southeastern states.

According to N.B. Handy vice-president of sales and marketing - HVAC Sam Meeks, the two-day meeting gave the company an opportunity to recognize and reward the outstanding effort on the part of its dealers, as well as educate them on new products, services and marketing strategies for 2007. The company's Westinghouse Dealers and their guests attended the event.

"We have a growing network of independent dealers whose commitment to the Westinghouse product line is evidenced by the quality of service they provide to their customers," says Meeks. "N.B. Handy Company is proud they represent us in their communities."

Doug Jones, vice president of sales for Nordyne, Inc. also recognized the dealers for their aggressive sales in 2006, which resulted in increasingly strong residential and commercial sales despite a soft housing market.

"Through your exemplary work, you reflect the quality that we try to build into the Westinghouse brand to the consumer," Jones told the dealers. "It's your dedication and commitment to quality sales and service that keeps this brand strong."

N.B. Handy is one of the country's largest wholesale distributors of HVAC equipment and supplies for residential, commercial, and industrial use. The company also specializes in commercial roofing and waterproofing supplies and precision metal fabricating machinery, including on-site repair and service. Headquartered in Lynchburg, Va., the company has 15 strategically located, full-service sales and distribution facilities in Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Tennessee. For more information, contact NB Handy at 888-847-2450 or visit www.nbhandy.com.