How WeatherTech Is Winning in HVAC Sales with Distro

Distro uses AI to help distributor sales teams win more business—faster. But the real test of any product is how it performs in the hands of customers. One of the earliest believers in the Distro platform was Lantis Hollis, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at WeatherTech Distributing. Based in Alabama and focused on Carrier HVAC systems, WeatherTech operates in a fast-moving, hyper-competitive market where speed, accuracy, and adaptability can make all the difference.

In this conversation, Lantis shares his perspective on how Distro has transformed their sales process—from onboarding new reps to improving quote speed and accuracy. He also offers candid insights into what drew him to Distro early on, why the partnership has worked, and how Distro 2.0 is helping WeatherTech centralize their tools and elevate team performance. For any distributor wondering what practical AI adoption looks like in the field, this interview offers a front-row view.

Transcript Q&A

Jason Sullivan:
I'm Jason Sullivan, founder and CEO of Distro. Distro uses AI to drive revenue for distributor sales teams—from the counter to inside sales, outside sales, and project or specialist teams. I'm here today with our friend and partner, Lantis Hollis from WeatherTech.

Lantis, do you want to introduce yourself?

Lantis Hollis:
Yes. I'm Lantis Hollis with WeatherTech Distributing out of Alabama. We're the Carrier distributor for the northern half of the state, and I serve as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing. My focus is on anything that helps us drive revenue—line items per invoice, average ticket price, and delivering more accurate answers with better speed. Anything that gives us a leg up on the competition or keeps us one step ahead in this very competitive HVAC market.

Jason Sullivan:
I love that. And Lantis, you and the WeatherTech team have been with Distro since the early days. I'd love to get your take on how you've seen both the partnership and the product evolve.

Lantis Hollis:
That’s been one of the most gratifying parts of our journey with Distro. From the beginning, we saw the opportunity for AI in HVAC, and we’ve been able to watch how Distro not only anticipated our needs but also evolved the product on the fly. It’s been impressive to see how those changes made adoption seamless and turned Distro into an empowering tool that integrates naturally into our workflow rather than disrupting it. The journey has been exciting, and the progress continues.

Jason Sullivan:
Let’s talk about success metrics. We just wrapped up a session at the HARDI Emerging Leaders Summit with Stella Keen, where we discussed how to define and measure success with AI implementation. Can you share what success has looked like with Distro for WeatherTech—and how you’re thinking about the future, especially now with Distro 2.0?

Lantis Hollis:
Absolutely. I’m most excited about how Distro 2.0 pulls multiple resources into a single tool. We no longer need to jump between websites, ERP systems, and CRMs—it’s all in one place and easily accessible.

One of the biggest challenges in HVAC, no matter the segment, is finding skilled labor. Everyone wants employees with HVAC experience, but they’re hard to find. Distro helps us level that playing field. A new hire with just three weeks of experience now has access to the same knowledge as a veteran with 30 years in the business—all through one platform.

It’s allowed us to onboard faster and show ROI sooner. Plus, our quoting speed and accuracy have improved tremendously. We're no longer triangulating between different tools. Distro streamlines it all, enabling our team to quote faster and more confidently.

Jason Sullivan:
One last question, Lantis. You and your team have always been forward-thinking. What drew you to Distro in the first place, and what made you excited about building a long-term partnership?

Lantis Hollis:
Coming from a background in information systems, I’ve always been excited about bringing new technology into HVAC—an industry that’s historically been slow to adopt it. I already understood the potential of AI, but Distro stood out because of how you approached the opportunity: with real industry knowledge and a clear vision for where the product was going.

It wasn’t just a pitch—it was a well-thought-out tool that addressed real challenges. Getting to know you and the team, and being kept informed along the way, built even more trust. You’ve held us accountable, too, which I appreciate. It’s easy to get distracted by the “shiny new thing,” but your team helps make sure Distro doesn’t turn into shelfware. You track usage, flag drop-offs, and keep us on track.

That ongoing support, the adaptability of the platform, and the forward-looking approach are what make the partnership valuable. I'm always trying to stay at least half a step ahead of the competition, and Distro helps us do exactly that. I’m genuinely excited about where we’re headed next with 2.0.

Jason Sullivan:
Amazing. That’s exactly why WeatherTech is such a strong partner. We’re proud to be on this journey with you. Thanks so much for your time, Lantis.

Lantis Hollis:
My pleasure. Thank you.