Bob Rist started out at The Waldinger Corporation, and worked as the head of their sheet metal estimating department before starting his own company. Bob and his wife Sally founded Rist and Associates in 1976, representing several manufacturers of HVAC equipment. Bob and Sally placed a high priority on customer service, using Bob’s experience from the other side of the purchase order as perspective.

Bob and Sally Rist sold the company to Scott and Sandy Rogers in the 1990s, and Bob passed away in 1997. According to Scott, some customers “still get Sally and Sandy mixed up when they call, but those are getting fewer every year, unfortunately…”