Leadership Team

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 which transformed 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 4 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 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.

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.