WaterFurnace International President and CEO Tom Huntington recently passed away after a battle with cancer. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family at the Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, Mo.

Before joining WaterFurnace in May 2009, served in many different roles in the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning industry. His career included stints as a division marketing general manager at Carrier Corp., director of sales and marketing at KeepRite, vice president of corporate marketing at Climatic Corp., vice president and general manager of Evcon Industries Inc., vice president of global marketing and sales at Bristol Compressors, and president of Unitary Products Group of York International/Johnson Controls. He proudly served as chairman of Geothermal Exchange Organization (GEO) and Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association (GAMA). Additionally, he served on the board of directors for North American Technician Excellence (NATE) and the planning board for the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute.

Under his leadership, WaterFurnace grew its core business to represent a wider portfolio of clean, sustainable solutions. The company was rewarded with market share gains in both the residential and commercial space, as well as a number of awards for the innovation of its new products. The company also continued to grow its footprint around the world through strategic acquisitions and a joint venture.

Huntington cared as much about sustainable growth for the company as he did about the personal growth of its employees. That included promoting a culture of continuous training/education, wellness initiatives and employee participation in community programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters.

He is survived by his wife, Susan Kuhl Huntington; daughter, Lindy (Mark) Landzaat; two sons: Daniel (Shauna) and Adam (Nikki) Huntington; six grandchildren; sister, Joette (Ted) Moss; and several nieces and nephews.

Gerteric Lindquist, president, CEO and chairman of the board of NIBE Industrier AB, stated, “On occasions like this we are all reminded of the facts that life is only a borrowing and good health is a gift. Tom was an outstanding individual, a good friend, a very nice colleague and an unchallenged leader. He was also a formidable fighter, keeping up the spirits until the very end. Our thoughts and prayers are with Tom’s family and all of our employees at WaterFurnace International.”

WaterFurnace CFO, Fred Andriano, has been appointed by the board of directors as the interim president and CEO.