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Leadership Team

SERVING OUR CUSTOMERS, COMMUNITY, AND ASSOCIATES

Creating Customers for Life®

It has been said that each of us have a family we are born into and a family we choose. Bassett Mechanical is where those two families converge. We are proud of our family roots, successfully transitioning to our third generation of Bassett Family leadership in 2007. We are equally proud of the family we chose…leaders with character, vision, and hearts dedicated to serving others. We invite you to get to know our Bassett Mechanical Family.

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Kim Bassett

CEO & Executive Chairwoman

As CEO and Executive Chairwoman, Kim focuses on developing the company’s short and long-term strategy, managing overall business operations, perpetuating the culture, and leading the company to safely achieve its vision. Kim provides a link from the Board to Bassett’s Executive Leadership Team and serves to engage the Leadership Team in strategic planning and execution. Kim’s goal is to ensure the preservation of corporatevalues and principles and uphold the company's vision of Creating Customers for Life®.

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Kim Bassett

CEO & Executive Chairwoman

In 2022, Kim Bassett assumed the role of CEO and Executive Chairwoman.  In her role, Kim focuses on developing the company’s short and long-term strategy, managing overall operations, lean oversight, establishing the culture, and leading the company to achieve its vision safely. Kim links the Board to the Executive Leadership Team and engages the Leadership Team in strategic planning and execution. Kim’s goal is to preserve corporate values and principles and uphold the company’s goal of Creating Customers for Life®.

In 1994, Kim approached her father, Bill Bassett, about the opportunity of joining the family business. She returned to school for a second Master’s degree in Management Technology with an emphasis on Construction.

Kim began in a sales role and worked within each division, developing an in-depth knowledge of each area. Kim worked in the shop and field assisting with duct installations and ammonia piping projects and also served as an HVAC and refrigeration estimator and project manager.

After more than 10 years of rolling up her sleeves and working alongside the various trades, she spent an additional year shadowing Bill as Executive Vice President. Kim became President and COO of Bassett Mechanical in January 2007, successfully transitioning the company to third-generation leadership. In December 2009, she was named President and CEO.

In 2006, Kim led the company through a Lean and Continuous Improvement initiative, transforming how Bassett Mechanical provides value to its customers. In 2016, the company implemented a successful Behavior-Based Safety program to better proactively reduce safety risks and hazards for associates and customers. Under Kim and her leadership team, the company has grown in sales and competitive offerings and expanded to more than 450 associates and four locations across the State of Wisconsin.

Kim has been featured in local and national publications as an exemplary leader. In November 2009, she received the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Athena Award, honoring women business leaders for their exceptional contributions to their companies, industries, communities, and the Chamber and for the advancement of women in business. Kim’s commitment to the safety of our customers, associates, and community has been recognized by her induction into the Wisconsin Safety Council Safety Hall of Fame and acknowledgment in the National Safety Council Health + Safety Magazine’s 2020 “CEO’s Who ‘Get it’.”

Kim is a charter member of the Wisconsin Family Business Forum and helped to establish their “next generation” and “leadership development” peer groups. Other professional associations include the Negotiation Committee Member for MCA North Central Wisconsin and Wisconsin Fox Valley Sheet Metal Contractors. She has also served as a board member for both organizations. Kim believes it is important to stay engaged in the community and has served as an active board member and volunteer for several area organizations and charities, including Goodwill Industries of North Central Wisconsin, the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce and Industry, United Way Fox Cities, and the Harbor House Domestic Abuse Shelter.

Kim plays a key role in building relationships with Bassett Mechanical’s strategic customers and implemented Creating Customers for Life® as the company’s way of proactively providing full-service solutions to customers’ unique industrial refrigeration, HVAC, plumbing, metal fabricating, and service needs.

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Jerod Steigenberger

President

In 2022, Jerod Steigenberger assumed the role of President at Bassett Mechanical. Jerod is responsible for executing the company's strategic vision, along with overseeing day-to-day sales and operational management of the company. In 2015, Jerod joined Bassett Mechanical as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and, in 2017, began taking on expanded executive leadership roles, accumulating as Chief Operating Officer (COO) in 2020. Jerod brings a rare combination of financial savvy, operational excellence, and strategic thinking that has provided a framework for the growth and stability of the company.

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Jerod Steigenberger

President

After seven years with Bassett Mechanical, Jerod was promoted to the role of President in 2022. Jerod is responsible for executing the company’s strategic vision, along with overseeing day-to-day sales and operational management of the company.

After spending nearly ten years working for Oshkosh Corporation, the last four as Vice President of Finance for Oshkosh Defense, Jerod was hired as the company’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in 2015. He was responsible for directing the company’s financial management and overseeing the company’s Procurement and Information Technology teams. 

In 2017, Jerod (while retaining his CFO duties) took on an expanded role as General Manager of the Service division, where he provided leadership and support to this growing part of Bassett’s business. 

In 2020, Jerod assumed a broader executive role as Chief Operating Officer (COO). As COO, Jerod was responsible for overseeing sales and operations for the company, including leadership and deployment of strategic initiatives. 

During Jerod’s time at Bassett, he led the company through operational realignments that have changed the business and accelerated Bassett’s growth trajectory as an industry leader. Jerod excels at challenging the status quo and has enhanced the strategic planning process to provide a framework for the growth and stability of the company. He is a strong mentor to other leaders and a proponent of providing career growth opportunities within the organization. Jerod believes in focusing on serving the need of our customers, building long-term relationships, and Creating Customers for Life. ®

Jerod graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison with an Accounting degree, is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and earned an MBA from Marquette University. 

Bill Bassett Chairman Emeritus

Bill Bassett

Chairman Emeritus

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Bill Bassett

Chairman Emeritus

Currently Bassett Mechanical’s Chairman Emeritus, Bill Bassett served as President and CEO for 33 years. He became the company’s second generation of family leadership when he joined Bassett Mechanical in 1974.

Under Bill’s leadership, Bassett Mechanical significantly expanded its scope of operations to meet and exceed the needs of our customers. Bill established the company as a market leader in designing, building, and servicing refrigeration, air conditioning, heating, dust collection, process piping, and plumbing systems for commercial, industrial, and marine applications.

Patty Van Ryzin Vice President of Human Resources

Patty Van Ryzin

Chief Human Resource Officer
(CHRO)

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Patty Van Ryzin

Chief Human Resource Officer
(CHRO)

As Chief Human Resource Officer, Patty is responsible for developing corporate Human Resource strategies and programs, and manages the growth and development of Bassett Mechanical’s greatest asset, its people.

In 1990, Patty joined Bassett Mechanical and has been the Vice President of Human Resources since 2004 before assuming the role of Chief Human Resource Officer in 2022. In her role, Patty creates leadership pipeline models to position the company for successful transitions through various personnel advancements and changes. She successfully led the transition of our business to third generation family-ownership.

Patty initiated a recruitment strategy to hire and retain top talent, implementing long-term improvements that will fill the pipeline and facilitate retention for current associates.

Patty believes in hiring and retaining quality associates who support our culture and core values.  Through this strategy, the company is best positioned to give customers an unrivaled experience and execute our vision of Creating Customers for Life®.

Craig Lamers CFO

Craig Lamers

Chief Financial Officer
(CFO)

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Craig Lamers

Chief Financial Officer
(CFO)

As Chief Financial Officer, Craig is responsible for the oversight of the finance, procurement, IT functions.

Craig joined Bassett Mechanical in 2019 as the Senior Director of Finance. Craig came to the company with a background in construction and quickly expanded his role providing valuable insights to his team and the company’s overall initiatives.

In 2020 Craig transitioned into the CFO role where his primary focus is on financial management, strategic development, budgeting, forecasting, reporting and analysis, treasury, tax and risk management. In his role today, Craig also helps lead the strategic planning and execution process.

Craig has a passion for leading his teams to support the company’s overall strategic goals and initiatives as well as providing an unrivaled experience to our internal and external customers.

Paul Kayser Vice President of Refrigeration

Paul Kayser

Vice President of Refrigeration Solutions

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Paul Kayser

Vice President of Refrigeration Solutions

As Vice President of Refrigeration Solutions, Paul leads the refrigeration segment including engineering and design, controls, project management, operations, process safety management, and field installation and service solutions.

Paul joined Bassett Mechanical in 2007 as Director of Construction. In 2011 Paul was promoted to Vice President of Mechanical Contracting.  In his current role, Paul monitors industry trends and identifies and analyzes new markets and offering opportunities. He develops strategies to penetrate and operate the Refrigeration division successfully.

Paul believes strongly in keeping our associates and customers safe and puts a substantial emphasis on safety best practices in each of his areas of operation. Paul also encourages Lean and continuous improvement engagement and elimination of waste to support high quality and customer satisfaction.

Lee Schmidt Vice President of HVAC Plumbing Solutions

Lee Schmidt

Vice President of HVAC and Plumbing Solutions

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Lee Schmidt

Vice President of HVAC and Plumbing Solutions

In his role as Vice President of HVAC and Plumbing Solutions, Lee oversees both the HVAC and Plumbing segment with a keen focus on providing industry-leading solutions for customers’ unique needs.

Lee has been with Bassett Mechanical for more than 17 years, most recently serving as Senior Director of HVAC and Plumbing Solutions. With more than 25 years of business development and operational leadership experience, Lee has excelled in a number of roles including General Manager and Director of Operations. Lee has become a vital leader in all aspects of the HVAC and Plumbing segment from controls and engineering to field execution.

Lee has a passion for creating an unrivaled customer experience, and empowers his teams to build relationships that support our company commitment to Creating Customers for Life®.

Mike Kees Vice President Mechanical Contracting Operations Bassett Mechanical

Mike Kees

Vice President of Mechanical Contracting Operations

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Mike Kees

Vice President of Mechanical Contracting Operations

As Vice President of Mechanical Contracting Operations at Bassett Mechanical, Mike leads all project delivery activities within our Mechanical Contracting Division.

Mike has been with Bassett for over 35 years, serving many roles. His most recent being Vice President of Mechanical Contracting Operations. In this role, Mike plans, directs, and coordinates project management and construction field operation activities to achieve customer satisfaction.

Mike believes in keeping our associates and customers safe by demonstrating, promoting, and communicating safety goals, policies, and program enhancements. He also fosters a collaborative and team-first environment that maximizes efficiency.

Petersen, Tyler Vice President of Manufacturing

Tyler Petersen

Vice President of Manufacturing

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Tyler Petersen

Vice President of Manufacturing

As Vice President of Manufacturing at Bassett Mechanical, Tyler leads project delivery activities that include virtual design and construction, metal fabrication, facilities, and operational support for both HVAC/Plumbing and Refrigeration business segments.

Tyler joined Bassett in 1999 and has served in many different roles, including Field Foreman, General Foreman, VDC Manager, and most recently, Director of Prefabrication. In his current role, Tyler leverages his broad range of experience to support his teams in delivering projects safely, efficiently, and with a high level of quality.

Tyler believes strongly in supporting Bassett’s culture of continuous improvement, employee engagement, investing in our facilities, equipment, and technology, as well as providing a safe working environment for all associates.