Meet the Team

Michael Wetzel, P.E. — President & CEO

Michael Wetzel is President and CEO of Air Innovations, where he leads the design and manufacture of advanced environmental control systems. A Clarkson University graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering, Wetzel is a licensed Professional Engineer and holds seven U.S. patents. His background spans international and domestic engineering leadership, including four years in Strasbourg, France, managing cleanroom projects across Europe and the Middle East, and experience as an engineering manager in the U.S. HVAC construction industry.

Since becoming President and CEO of Floratech Industries in 1996 and acquiring controlling interest in the company alongside his father, Larry, Wetzel has transformed it from a floral-cooler manufacturer into Air Innovations, a diversified provider of refrigeration, air conditioning, and filtration solutions. Under his leadership, the company has seen significant growth in both revenue and headcount.

Wetzel actively supports the manufacturing and export community through leadership roles with MACNY (Manufacturers Association of Central New York), the District Export Council, CNYIBA (Central New York International Business Alliance), and the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration International Leadership Council.

Richard Bailey — Director of Marketing and Business Development

Bailey joined Air Innovations in 2013 as Director 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 Director of Marketing & International Representation at a high-tech component manufacturer and was a financial analyst at an industrial durable goods manufacturer.

Bailey has lived and worked in Belgium and Ukraine, and he has personally conducted business in 15 countries. He holds an M.B.A. with an emphasis in marketing and supply chain management from Syracuse University and a B.S. in business management with a co-emphasis in international finance and finance with a Russian minor from Brigham Young University.

John Bires — Director of Operations

Bires joined Air Innovations in 2016 as the Director of Operations with over 25 years of experience implementing best manufacturing practices across eight industries. As Director of Operations, he is responsible for all manufacturing functions, including production, scheduling, shipping, building facilities and maintenance, and safety compliance.

He previously worked for 15 years at 3M, where he received several engineering awards for his technical accomplishments, including the design of an oxygen sensor used in open-heart surgery procedures. Bires is a Lean/Six Sigma Black Belt and is certified in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM) by ASCM (APICS). He holds a B.S. degree in chemical engineering from the University of Rochester.

Erin Putman — Director of Finance and Purchasing

As Director of Finance and Purchasing, Erin Putman is responsible for accounting, supply chain management, information systems, and human resources. Putman has 20 years of experience in manufacturing, with a combination of experience in purchasing, finance, and treasury. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oswego in accounting.

Roger Redmond — Director of Engineering

As Director of Engineering, Roger Redmond brings more than 25 years of experience in engineering and project management within the HVAC industry. Throughout his career, he has specialized in research and development for advanced air-handling systems, leading cross-functional teams in designing, testing, and optimizing solutions for critical environments. With expertise in management and engineering, Redmond is the bridge between Air Innovations’ leadership and technical teams.

Before joining Air Innovations, Redmond held leadership and technical roles at Carrier, McQuay International, and Dantherm Inc. Redmond earned his B.S. in mechanical engineering from McNeese University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He is an active member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI).

Renee Tozer — HVAC Design Engineer

Renee Tozer is an HVAC Design Engineer at Air Innovations, where she develops upgrades to specialized air-cooling systems for airport X-ray scanners that help keep passenger luggage safe for flight. She brings more than 11 years of experience designing next-generation air handlers and rooftop HVAC systems to meet federal efficiency standards. Tozer earned both her B.S. and M.Eng. in mechanical engineering from Cornell University and holds three patents for HVAC energy recovery ventilators.

Marcos Locke — Design Engineer

Marcos Locke is a Design Engineer with more than 24 years of experience developing air conditioning components and systems across the automotive, residential, and commercial HVAC industries. He has worked with companies including Parker Hannifin, Carrier, ECR, Daikin, and now Air Innovations. Locke holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering technology and has expertise in system design, coil development, sound and vibration analysis, and thermodynamic modeling.

David Martini — Design Engineer

David Martini is a Design Engineer at Air Innovations with more than 35 years of experience in mechanical, manufacturing, and controls engineering. He specializes in designing, building, and testing custom HVAC products for critical applications that require exceptionally tight air supply tolerances. Before joining Air Innovations, Martini held senior engineering roles at Carrier Corporation and DL Manufacturing, where he also served as Engineering Manager. Over the course of his career, he has been the inventor or co-inventor on more than 10 U.S. patents.

Brennan Buck — HVAC Design Engineer

Brennan Buck is an HVAC Design Engineer at Air Innovations, where he manages the HEPAir product line and develops new prototypes alongside the engineering team. With dual degrees in mechanical and aeronautical engineering from Clarkson University, he specializes in airflow analysis and system sizing for cleanroom applications. Buck works closely with cleanroom and semiconductor clients to deliver optimized solutions tailored to unique project configurations.

Jacob Crawford — Marketing Communications Specialist

As Air Innovations’ Marketing Communications Specialist, Jacob Crawford oversees the production of video, graphic, and written marketing materials for Air Innovations and Wine Guardian. Before starting at Air Innovations in 2024, Crawford graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh with bachelor’s degrees in digital media production and TV-video production. His role enables him to create engaging content about specialty HVAC systems for a wide range of consumer and professional audiences.

Jack Hogan — Marketing Assistant

Jack Hogan is a Marketing Intern supporting the marketing initiatives of both Air Innovations and Wine Guardian. A senior marketing major at Nazareth University, he began his internship in May 2025 and continues to be part of the team. Hogan works closely with the marketing staff on a wide range of projects. His primary contributions include CRM management, identifying sales leads, and re-engaging leads.