AIR Control Concepts Announces Leadership Evolution to Support Next Phase of Growth

Founder Brad Hobbs to Serve as Executive Chair; Hayden Bland to Become President and Chief Executive Officer; Aaron Lewis to Join AIR as Chief Operating Officer

NORFOLK, Va., Sept. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- AIR Control Concepts ("AIR"), the largest commercial HVAC, electrical and controls platform globally, today announced a series of planned leadership transitions designed to support the company's continued growth and expansion.

Effective January 1, 2027, Hayden Bland, currently President and Chief Operating Officer of AIR, will become President and Chief Executive Officer. Brad Hobbs, AIR's Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer, will transition to the role of Executive Chair and will continue to serve on AIR's Board of Directors.

In his role as Executive Chair, Hobbs will remain actively engaged with AIR, with a particular focus on mergers and acquisitions, strategic growth initiatives, and key customer and manufacturer relationships. Hobbs will also continue to directly lead Hobbs & Associates, one of AIR's largest operating companies and the original platform business upon which AIR was built.

The transition represents the next step in AIR's evolution and builds upon the leadership structure that Hobbs and Bland have developed together as the company has grown from its roots at Hobbs & Associates into a globally scaled and diversified commercial HVAC platform.

"I'm proud of what we've built at AIR and even more excited about the opportunities ahead as we continue to grow the business," said Brad Hobbs. "Hayden and I have worked closely together for years, and I have tremendous confidence in his leadership, his understanding of our businesses and his vision for AIR. I am looking forward to continuing to work alongside Hayden, our Board and our operating company leaders as Executive Chair. I also intend to remain deeply engaged in the areas I enjoy most – growing our network, working with our customers and manufacturer partners, pursuing new opportunities, and supporting the entrepreneurs who make AIR what it is."

Bland has played a significant leadership role in the development and growth of AIR and currently serves as President and COO. As President and CEO, he will lead AIR's overall strategy and operations while continuing to build upon the decentralized, entrepreneurial operating model that has been central to the company's growth.

"Brad created something very special with Hobbs & Associates and subsequently AIR, and our priority is to build on that foundation rather than change what has made it successful," said Hayden Bland. "Our opportunity ahead is significant. We want to continue investing in our operating companies, expanding the capabilities we provide our customers, strengthening our partnerships with the world's leading manufacturers and thoughtfully expanding AIR into new markets and geographies. I am grateful for Brad's continued partnership and involvement, and I am excited to lead an exceptional team into AIR's next chapter."

Aaron Lewis to Join AIR as Chief Operating Officer

AIR also announced that Aaron Lewis will join the company as Chief Operating Officer, effective October 1, 2026.

Lewis joins AIR following an accomplished career at Johnson Controls, bringing extensive experience across the commercial HVAC industry, organizational leadership, sales, operations and international markets.

As COO, Lewis will join AIR's executive leadership team and assume responsibility for the company's Equipment business segment. He will work closely with AIR's operating companies to accelerate organic growth, strengthen execution and further develop the platform's capabilities.

"Aaron is an outstanding addition to AIR and someone whose experience fits extremely well with where we are headed," said Bland. "He understands our industry, our manufacturers and our customers, and he brings a perspective that will be extremely valuable as AIR continues to scale. Just as importantly, he understands that our success starts with strong local businesses and great people. Aaron will help us provide those teams with additional resources and capabilities while preserving the entrepreneurial culture that differentiates AIR."

Lewis will also play an important role in AIR's continued international expansion as the company seeks to serve customers across a broader global footprint while creating additional opportunities to support the growth of its manufacturing partners.

"I have spent my career in this industry and have tremendous respect for what Brad, Hayden and the entire AIR team have built," said Aaron Lewis. "AIR has created a differentiated model that combines entrepreneurial local businesses and strong customer relationships with the resources and capabilities of a much larger organization. I am excited to join the team, support our operating companies and manufacturer partners, and help AIR capitalize on the significant opportunities ahead of us in North America and internationally."

"Brad and Hayden have built an exceptional business and an outstanding leadership team at AIR," said Seth Meisel, Senior Managing Director at Blackstone. "We have tremendous confidence in Hayden as he steps into the CEO role, and we are equally excited that Brad will remain deeply engaged as Executive Chair, continuing to help drive AIR's growth, strategic direction and key industry relationships. Together with the addition of Aaron, we believe AIR has an exceptionally strong leadership team in place for its next phase of growth."

AIR will continue to pursue growth through investment in its existing operating companies, strategic acquisitions, expansion into new geographies and capabilities, and deeper partnerships with leading HVAC, electrical and controls manufacturers.

The company remains focused on preserving the entrepreneurial culture and trusted relationships of each operating company while providing the scale, resources, technology and connectivity of a broader organization.

About AIR Control Concepts

Headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, AIR Control Concepts is a global platform operating across more than 50 operating companies and 3,500+ associates worldwide. AIR supports leading OEM partners and the customers they serve by combining deep local market expertise with the scale, resources, and connectivity of a global organization. Each operating company retains its culture, customer relationships, and regional expertise while gaining access to enterprise collaboration, shared services, and strategic investment. For more information, including partnership opportunities, visit aircontrolconcepts.com.

Media Contact:

Kelly Duffy
AIR Control Concepts
[email protected]

SOURCE AIR Control Concepts