Jim Babbitt

Per the write-up in the listing of the Council of Fellows - "Jim Babbitt was the first representative to be honored as a Fellow. Jim became involved in the decorative plumbing and hardware industry in 1989 and immediately set a standard for independent representation that few can match even today. During his days as a representative and leader of a rep agency, Jim gravitated toward distinctive product lines that added value to the showrooms that sold the products he represented and advanced the industry as a whole. He helped to pioneer numerous lines throughout the Midwest, including Blanco, Phylrich and Hansgrohe when they first attempted to make inroads into the decorative marketplace. In each circumstance, Jim created a comfort zone for his dealers, helping to minimize the risk of adding an unproven product line to a showroom's merchandising mix.

Jim understood that to successfully sell a line in a showroom, sales professionals need to understand the product and be comfortable with selling it. His ability to train and teach was unmatched. Jim’s passion and commitment for his industry and the organization that represents the industry earned Jim and his companies numerous honors. Jim was the first representative to be elected DPHA president. Jim was named Representative of the Year in 2005 and the agency he led, Hot2Cold, was named Representative Agency of the Year in 2006. Jim’s never waning passion for DPHA and the industry resulted in his appointment as DPHA executive director in late 2012, and which ended when he retired in November 2019."

Jim continues to serve on several committees, including being the Co-Chairperson of the Awards Committee, starting in October 2023.