Today, we paused our operations and took a moment to celebrate a legacy that goes beyond the products we build. February 22nd (or the nearest business day) marks Founder’s Day at EXAIR—a day dedicated to the memory of our founder, Roy Sweeney, on what would have been his 92nd birthday.
Roy founded EXAIR in 1983, leading us with a steady hand and an innovative spirit for 33 years. While he has been gone for nearly ten years, his presence is still felt in our hallways. For those of us who had the privilege of working side-by-side with him, he wasn’t just a leader; he was a mentor who redefined success. To Roy, achievement wasn’t measured by growth charts, but by the depth of one’s service to others.
In honor of Roy and his wife, Jackie, we treat this day as a renewal of our commitment to the world beyond our walls. The Sweeneys were pillars of the Cincinnati community, tirelessly supporting social causes and teaching us that a company’s greatest output should be kindness.
Living the Legacy of Service
We believe that to truly honor the past, we must be active participants in a better future. To turn Roy’s altruistic values into action, we are proud to highlight our Employee Volunteer Program. This initiative empowers every full-time employee to volunteer with an organization of their choice during the work week—with full pay from EXAIR.
Whether it is feeding the hungry, mentoring youth, or supporting local shelters, we want our team to follow their hearts. By providing the time and resources to research these opportunities, we aim to be a catalyst for change in the lives of those who need it most.
A Celebration of Community
Our Founder’s Day tradition includes:
- Reflecting on our Roots: A company-wide meeting to recognize Roy’s generosity and the spark that started it all.
- Honoring a Veteran: As a veteran himself, Roy held a deep respect for those who serve. We continue to honor that bond by providing lunch from Mission BBQ, who supports our military and first responders.
- Investing in Others: We are proud to direct donations to local organizations that provide vital lifelines to our neighbors.
This year we have selected these organizations, who help our local communities, to receive donations as part of our Founder’s Day celebration:
DAV
Supporting disabled American veterans and their families.
Freestore Foodbank
Supplies 33 million meals per year to those in need and living in greater Cincinnati.
Lighthouse Youth and Family Services
Supporting their Safe and Supported program for LGBTQ youth.
Cincinnati Works
Partners with all willing and capable people living in poverty to assist them in advancing to economic self-sufficiency through employment.
Wave Pool
Wave Pool is a contemporary art fulfillment center where experimental art connects the community and creates change.
Bethany House
Helps homeless and at-risk families with solutions to achieve housing stability and long-term self-sufficiency.
Roy, happy birthday and thanks for the influence you continue to have in our lives. We remember everything you and Jackie have done for this company and for countless others. Today, we pledge to keep looking outside ourselves, reaching out our hands, and working collectively to improve the world around us.
Happy Founder’s Day 2026 from the entire EXAIR family.
Kirk Edwards, President
EXAIR LLC