Albany International Executive and Leadership Team

William Higgins, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Albany International, directs the overarching corporate strategy and long-term financial performance. Overseeing the global manufacturing footprint, the President & Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment between production capabilities and the evolving needs of the paper industry. This leadership role involves managing complex supply chains and optimizing the delivery of engineered fabrics across North American and international markets. By prioritizing operational efficiency, William Higgins drives the company toward sustained growth and market leadership. The President & Chief Executive Officer maintains constant communication with the Board to refine business objectives and capital allocation. Through rigorous oversight of the organization, the President & Chief Executive Officer secures the competitive position of the firm within the global industrial sector, ensuring that all business units contribute effectively to the primary mission of providing high-quality process belts and consumable fabrics.

Gunnar Kleveland, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Albany International, architects the strategic vision for enterprise-wide digital transformation and process modernization. Focusing on the integration of advanced manufacturing technologies, the President & Chief Executive Officer optimizes the production of paper machine clothing to meet the demands of heavyweight container board manufacturers. This leadership role involves expanding the market reach of the company through targeted regional growth initiatives and strategic partnerships. By streamlining internal workflows, Gunnar Kleveland enhances the agility of the organization in response to fluctuating global demand. The President & Chief Executive Officer collaborates with executive leadership to foster a culture of continuous improvement and technical excellence. Through the implementation of data-driven decision-making, the President & Chief Executive Officer ensures that the company maintains its status as a premier provider of custom-designed engineered fabrics while delivering consistent value to shareholders and industrial clients.

Merle Stein, the President- Machine Clothing at Albany International, directs the operational execution and sales strategy for the core paper machine clothing division. Overseeing the production and distribution of custom-designed process belts, the President- Machine Clothing ensures that the company meets the specific needs of paper manufacturers ranging from lightweight paper to heavyweight container board. This leadership role involves managing regional sales teams and optimizing the supply chain to ensure timely delivery of consumable fabrics to global customers. By focusing on customer-centric service, Merle Stein drives revenue growth and strengthens the market position of the division. The President- Machine Clothing collaborates with the technology and manufacturing departments to ensure that product quality consistently exceeds industry standards. Through the management of daily operations, the President- Machine Clothing secures the profitability of the division while maintaining the reputation of the company as a reliable partner in the global paper manufacturing sector.

Robert Hansen, the Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Albany International, directs the research and development of next-generation engineered fabrics and process belts. Overseeing the technical engineering teams, the Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer ensures that product innovation aligns with the specific requirements of paper manufacturing across all grades. This leadership role involves managing the intellectual property portfolio and driving the development of proprietary materials that improve machine efficiency for global clients. By bridging the gap between laboratory research and large-scale manufacturing, Robert Hansen accelerates the time-to-market for new product lines. The Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer collaborates with the executive team to identify emerging trends in the paper industry, ensuring that the company remains at the forefront of material science. Through technical leadership, the Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer secures the long-term viability of the product catalog in a competitive global landscape.

Suzanne Purdum, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Albany International, directs the global talent strategy and organizational development initiatives. Overseeing the recruitment, retention, and professional growth of the workforce, the Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that the company maintains a highly skilled team capable of producing complex engineered fabrics. This leadership role involves designing compensation structures and performance management systems that support the strategic goals of the organization. By fostering an inclusive and high-performance culture, Suzanne Purdum drives employee engagement across all international manufacturing sites. The Chief Human Resources Officer collaborates with the executive leadership team to align human capital investments with the broader business objectives of the firm. Through the implementation of robust training programs, the Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that the workforce remains equipped to handle the technical demands of the paper machine clothing industry, ultimately supporting the operational success of the entire enterprise.