Learn more about the people who provide the vision and run the Air Innovations operation on a daily basis. Our management team consists of mechanical engineers, MBAs and even a chemical engineer— all which provide different perspectives on challenges to lead and move the company forward. Click on each manager below to see a preview of their bio. If you would like to read the full biography on one of the managers, click the read more button to see an extended bio.
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Michael Wetzel, P.E.
President & CEO, Management Board of Directors
Michael Wetzel is President and CEO of Air Innovations, a firm specializing in the design and manufacture of environmental control system. Wetzel is a graduate of Clarkson University where he received a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering. He is a licensed Professional Engineer and is the holder of seven US patents. Prior to Air
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Atul Swamy
Director of Engineering, Management
Atul has a Bachelors of Engineering from India, a Masters of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Oklahoma, and is currently finishing up his MBA degree at the University of Oklahoma. Atul started his career in the HVAC industry as an MEP consulting engineer and later switched to R&D engineer due to his […] Read More »
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Richard Bailey
Director of Marketing and Business Development, Management
Bailey joined Air Innovations in 2013 as Dir. of Marketing & Business Development. He is responsible for marketing communications, brand development, market research, and business development for all Air Innovations brands. Previously, Bailey held roles as VP of Marketing and Dir. of Marketing & International Representation at a high-tech component manufacturer and was a financial
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Erin Putman
Director of Finance and Purchasing, Management
Erin Putman has joined the Air Innovations team as Director of Finance and Purchasing. In addition to accounting and supply chain management, she will be responsible for Information Systems and Human Resources. Erin has 20 years experience in manufacturing, with a combination of experience in Purchasing, Finance and Treasury. Erin has a bachelor’s degree from University of Oswego in accounting.
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John Bires
Director of Operations, Management
Bires joined Air Innovations in 2016 as the Director of Operations with over 25 years experience in implementing best manufacturing practices within eight industries. Previously he worked for 3M Company for 15 years where he received a number of engineering awards for his technical accomplishments including the design of an oxygen sensor that is used
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Michael Militi
Division Manager, Management
Militi has 20 years experience in HVAC project management, sales and applications engineering. He joined Air Innovations in 2001, and is responsible for Wine Guardian wine cooling systems and Cleanroom Systems divisions, including AdvancAir® and HEPAir® business. Previously, Militi worked as a sales engineer for a package testing and reliability equipment company and an industrial
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John Patalita
Division Manager, Management
Patalita serves as division manager of the Floratech division at Air Innovations. He is responsible for both North American and international sales. He also is in charge of Wine Guardian international sales. Patalita comes to the job with over 25 years of sales, marketing and new product development at Carrier Corporation and Lennox International. He
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Lawrence (Larry) Wetzel, P.E.
Chairman of the Board, Board of Directors
The first 18 years of Larry Wetzel’s career were spent in the construction industry. Starting as a junior engineer, he rose to become president of a division. In 1983, he founded Clean Room Technology, Inc. and rapidly built it into an international business with sales in excess of $20 million. The $650,000 of initial start-up
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John A. Rizzo
Member, Board of Directors
John A. Rizzo is a lean six sigma consultant for Moffitt Associates with 23 years experience in operations, finance, and sales/marketing. Before joining Moffitt, John led lean six sigma transformations at three manufacturing companies from the roles of director of operations, general manager and president. John has worked or consulted in several different manufacturing and
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Richard (Rich) Husted
Member, Board of Directors
Richard (Rich) Husted owns R.S. Husted consulting Inc., a company specializing in business strategy, manufacturing efficiency improvement, and acquisitions and divestitures. He sits on the board of several Central New York companies. Rich received his undergraduate degree in industrial engineering form Drexel University and an M.B.A from Syracuse University. Rich previously enjoyed a 28-year career
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