BRYAN, Ohio - Bard Manufacturing Co. has announced that Mike Lehman is retiring from his position as president and chief executive officer after 21 years with the company. In his place, Bill Steel will become the fifth Bard family member to serve as president and chief executive officer since the business’s inception in 1914.

Lehman joined the company in December 1987 as a product manager. In 1994, he was promoted to vice president of sales & marketing, and became president and chief executive officer upon Richard and Jim Bard’s retirement in 2002.

Steel joined Bard in 1988 as a cost accountant. Over the past 21 years, he has also held positions within the company in the quality assurance, human resources, and engineering departments, and most recently succeeded Lehman as vice president of sales & marketing. He was elected the company’s chairman of the board in 2006.

Bard Manufacturing Co. is celebrating its 95th anniversary in 2009 as a family-owned manufacturer of heating and cooling products. The company manufactures air conditioners and heat pumps for the school, modular building, telecommunication shelter, and residential markets out of three facilities located in Bryan, Ohio; Madison, Ga.; and Saltillo, Mexico. For more information, visit www.bardhvac.com.

Publication date: 08/10/2009