Hightower Named President Of Exline

Bret Hightower has been named president and chief operations officer of Exline Inc., which repairs and services machinery for gas compression, power generation and other industries.

Rob Exline, owner and CEO of Salina, Kansas-based Exline Inc., made the announcement. Hightower previously held the position of vice president of Sales and Marketing for the company.

“We are at a point in time where significant growth potential exists for us and there is no better person to lead Exline Incorporated than Bret Hightower,” Exline said.  “Bret is a proven leader with significant industry experience, business vision and the ability to bring people together. His vision to leverage the many strengths of our company into growing markets is exactly what Exline needs as we enter the next chapter of expanded products and services, innovation and growth.”

Since joining the company in 2015, Hightower has spearheaded market strategy and operational shifts across the company’s portfolio of products and services, most notably the company’s move into the midstream oil and gas compression markets, the company said.  During his tenure overseeing Exline’s Sales and Marketing, the organization’s commercial teams increased annual performance year over year.

“Exline Incorporated is a rare company, which has been led by five generations of Exline family leaders in revolutionizing the industry through innovative products and providing world class experienced machining, mechanical service, and ignition systems and controls. I am very honored to have been chosen to lead the company,” Hightower said. “The opportunity ahead is vast and requires our clear focus to transform at an accelerated rate to continue to lead in our industries. My job is to direct and accelerate our ability to bring innovative products and services to our customers more quickly and to assure a smooth transition to the sixth generation of family leadership.”

Exline also announces that Kevin Koochel, senior vice president Field Services, will assume the role of senior vice president Sales and Marketing, devoted to shaping the company’s marketing strategy, customer relationships and commercial product and service direction. John Geiger, corporate project manager will assume the role of director – Field Services. Jon Ramsey, executive vice president and CFO, Larry Hettenbach, senior vice president Repair and Manufacturing, and Howard Terrell, vice president Ignition and Automation will continue to serve on the Executive Leadership Team.