Leadership
Rob Exline,
CEO
Rob Exline is the owner and CEO of Exline, Inc. Rob has been with Exline since April 1991, and is the 5th generation of the Exline family to serve as the company president. Prior to joining Exline, Rob served as a Division Manager with Porter McCleod Construction, Manager of Business Development with Environmental Control Systems, and as a Sales engineer with Trane. Rob graduated from Kansas State University with Bachelor's degrees in both Mechanical Engineering and Business Administration. Rob is actively involved with Salina Rotary Club, and is a member of the Board of Directors of St. John's Military School.
Bret Hightower,
President and Chief Operations Officer
Bret Hightower is the President and Chief Operations Officer. Bret came to Exline in September, 2015. Prior to joining Exline, Bret held positions with Dover Corporation, Hoerbiger Service Inc. and EnPro Industries. Bret has over 25 years of energy related work experience in various aspects of sales and operations management and corporate external relations, including contract negiotiations, business development, community relations, and strategy development and execution. Bret received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Panhandle State University. He is an active member of several regional industry organizations.
Kevin Koochel,
Sr. Vice President Sales and Marketing
Kevin Koochel is Sr. Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Kevin joined Exline in 1999. Other positions Kevin has held at Exline include Process Analyst, Sales Manager, and Division Manager for the Field Services Division. Prior to joining Exline, Kevin held several positions at Navistar International, including Territory Service Manager, Service Training Manager, and Reliability Engineer. Kevin graduated from Pittsburgh State University with a Bachelor's Degreee in Automotive Technology and a Masters Degree in Education.
Howard Terrell,
Vice President & Executive Business Leader, Ignition & Automation Division
Howard Terrell is the Vice President and Executive Business Leader for the Ignition and Automation Division. Howard came to Exline in March of 1998 as a technical Sales representative. His previous work experience includes technical sales positions with K.C. Diesel and Electric, a field service technician with Cummins mid America, and service manager for Carl Anderson, Inc. Diesel and Electric. Howard graduated from Marmaton Valley High School, Moran Kansas, and has degrees from Metropolitan Community College, and NCK Vocational/Technical School in Beloit. Howard's volunteer experience includes eleven years as a 4-H youth leader and also several years as the Director of the Smithville Dambusters.
Larry Hettenbach,
Vice President of Operations
Larry Hettenbach is Senior Vice President for the Repair and Manufacturing and Parts Services Divisions. Larry has been with Exline for 28 years. Larry started working at Exline as a machinist and has held various other positions at Exline including Lead Machinist, Assistant Machine Shop Superintendent, Machine Shop Superintendent, Operations Manager, Repair and Manufacturing Division, and Vice President of Operations for the Repair and Manufacturing Division.
Larry's previous work experience includes farming and various other Machine Shop Supervision roles. Larry is a graduate of the Salina Vocational Technical School and has over 40+ years of experience in the school of hard knocks! Larry has served for over 20 years as an advisory board member of the Salina Area Technical College, and has spent many years coaching baseball, football, and softball for area youth programs, and is a member of the Mustang Club of America.
Jon Ramsey,
Chief Financial Officer
Jon Ramsey is the Executive Vice President and CFO of Exline, Inc. Jon joined Exline in February 2011. Before joining Exline, Jon had previously worked with Clubine and Rettele, Chartered, and Salina Supply Company in Salina, and the Duckwall-ALCO, Inc. stores in Abilene. Jon graduated from Chapman High School and received his BA degree from Bethany College in Lindsborg, KS. Jon is an active member of the Salina AMBUCS, and also volunteers for many Salina organizations including the Salina Area United Way, the Salina Child Care Center, and several youth sports organizations.
