Suburban Division President Art Klee is celebrating 40 years at the company, Airxcel announced.
“Art has led Suburban through many challenges over the years including responding to the rebound of the industry from COVID shutdowns,” Airxcel CEO Jeff Rutherford said. “He has the unique ability to challenge and inspire others, and create a culture of creativity that leads to industry-shifting products and new market outlets. More so, his employees trust that he will keep the company competitive and financially thriving.”
After Klee’s father told him in 1981 not to spend the summer hanging out at Newport Beach, Klee joined Suburban to work in sales and distribution. Within four years, he relocated from Anaheim, California, to Dayton, Tennessee, and moved into sales and marketing roles.
With a background in heavy equipment maintenance, Airxcel said Klee found a niche within product development. Klee was instrumental in bringing the Suburban SF series low-profile furnace to market, Airxcel said.
“Even though we are a large company in a small town, Suburban offers a family feel,” Klee said. “We celebrate together, grow together, grieve together and support one another.”
Klee was promoted to VP of product development in 2009. He took over as president when Roger Panoz retired at the end of 2010.
