Altec, Inc. founder Lee Styslinger Jr. passed away peacefully on October 24, 2021 at the age of 88.
Working for his father’s small truck equipment company in Alabama, Styslinger Jr. took the family business to the next level converting it into a global corporation as a provider of products, vehicles and services to the electric utility, telecommunications, tree care, lights and signs, and contractor markets in over 100 countries.
Born in Birmingham, Alabama, he attended the seminary program in high school before moving in to the engineering program at the University of Alabama.
After his father’s death in 1952, he was 19 when assumed control of the family business, Alabama Truck Equipment Co., building truck-mounted utility bodies for the State, and specialized compartments for dairy, bakery and dump trucks.
Later that decade, Styslinger turned the company focus to using distributors for equipment sales to only utility customers.
The big decision, however, occurred in 1973 when he turned the company’s focus to the design, manufacture and sales of its own products and vehicles to electric and telecommunications utilities—a decision that made the company what it is today—global.
He is survived by Catherine, his wife of 62 years, and sons Lee III, Jon and Mark.
He was known for maintaining his father’s work ethic: "Work should be to an adult what play is to a child - enjoyable!", and was well respected for his philanthropy to many charities, especially in communities served by Altec.