Business Leadership

Edgar M. (Ed) Purvis Jr.
Executive Vice President, Emerson
Business Leader, Emerson Climate Technologies 

Ed Purvis is an Emerson executive vice president and business leader of Emerson Climate Technologies, which posted sales of $3.8 billion in 2012. He was appointed to these positions in 2008, and also serves as an advisory director to Emerson’s board of directors.

Purvis began his career in 1983 as a product planner with Copeland Corporation, which was acquired by Emerson in 1986.  He held a number of senior management positions at Copeland (now part of Emerson Climate Technologies), including in air conditioning marketing, sales and product planning, and in 1993 was appointed vice president of air conditioning marketing. In 1995, Purvis was promoted to vice president of sales and marketing, and in 1996 became the president of refrigeration, a position he held until 2003 when he was named group vice president of refrigeration.

Purvis is a member of the executive board as well as the budget and investment committee of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI).  He also serves on the board of directors of NATE (North American Technician Excellence).  He is active in several local charitable and civic organizations in the Dayton, Ohio area, including as a member of the executive board of the Victoria Theatre Association and the board of directors of the Dayton Development Coalition, and is also actively involved with Troy Christian Schools.

Purvis holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Tennessee, a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan, and a master of business administration from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio.