President, Chief Executive Officer & Director, Albany Intl -cl A
Search every verified Gunnar Kleveland interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Gunnar Kleveland, President and CEO of Albany International, appeared on NYSE TV Live on December 17, 2024, to discuss the company's 50th anniversary of listing on the New York Stock Exchange and its 130th anniversary the following year. He noted that the company's entire board was present for a December board meeting and rang the closing bell. Kleveland described his background as a former fighter pilot inspired by the film "Top Gun," and said he moved from Norway to the United States to pursue career opportunities, eventually holding CEO roles at business units of Textron and Bell Helicopter before joining Albany International. Looking ahead to 2025, Kleveland identified growth opportunities in Albany International's two main businesses. He described the machine clothing segment, which produces belts for paper and industrial machines, as a profitable cash generator. On the aerospace side, he said the company uses 3D woven preform technology to manufacture composite blades for the LEAP engine used on the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 Max, and stated the goal is to proliferate that technology throughout aerospace and potentially other industries. Separately, in September 2024, the Times Union reported that Kleveland had requested a contract extension from the Albany International Airport Authority board, which the board declined, stating its decision was final.
“We're actually here today with our entire board for our December board meeting and it's just such an honor. It was great, everybody's just so excited to be here and you can see Albany International all over the floor, and that is very, very special.”
“Next year we'll celebrate 130 years and this year we're celebrating 50 years with New York Stock Exchange listing. It just was so fitting that we could come here and do our board meeting and then ring the bell. It's just perfect.”
“When I was ready to leave school and start a career, I watched the movie Top Gun and I am part of the Top Gun generation. I went off and became a fighter pilot, but deep down inside I knew I had something else in mind for my career.”
“We took our family and saw the biggest opportunities here in the US. We left Norway and showed up here, and I was fortunate enough to get a role with Techron and Bell Helicopter where my career started and had a great career including a couple of CEO roles at their business units.”
“Leading a company that is listed on the New York Stock Exchange is very special. I couldn't tell anyone to duplicate how I got here but it is all about setting goals and doing your best wherever you're at.”
“As we go into 2025, our biggest opportunity is on the two businesses that we have. I'll start with machine clothing, where we make the belts that go on paper machines and other industrial machines. It's a very profitable part of our business and a great cash generator.”
“On the aerospace side, we took this material science and technology from these belts into aerospace, which is a hard place to go in. We make the blades on the LEAP engine that goes on the A320 as well as the 737 Max, using a 3D woven preform injected with resin to create phenomenal composite parts.”
“The goal is to proliferate that technology throughout aerospace and there are probably other places that we can go as well. A lot to look out for come 2025.”
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