Hoyt Edgar Kirby, Jr.

Ed Kirby has spent more than 50 years in the construction equipment industry. His experience includes sales, operations, customer relations and business management. His career began with the International Harvester Company working as an equipment sales trainee. In 1969, he joined Leland Equipment Company, and during the next 15 years experienced tremendous success selling heavy equipment to highway, pipeline, service, and oilfield contractors in Oklahoma. In fact, Kirby maintained the top salesman position for 12 out of his 15 years with the equipment company. He then left the company in 1983 to found his own company, Kirby-Smith Machinery, Inc.

During the past nearly four decades, Kirby drove the company’s growth to approximately 550 employees and more than $550 million in revenue. In 2021, Kirby stepped back from his role of President and CEO and assumed the position of Chairman of the Board. Kirby acts in an advisory role and continues to foster relationships with partners and customers.

Kirby has been active in numerous construction equipment industry associations. He joined the Oklahoma Municipal Contractors Association in 1983 and served on the board for 10 years. Additionally, Kirby has been a member and past board member of the Oklahoma and Heavy Highway Association of General Contractors since 1988. He was the first associate member to serve on the Board of Directors. He has also been a member of the Texas Heavy Highway Association of General Contractors, American Pipeline Contractors Association, Oklahoma and Texas Aggregate Association, Oklahoma and Texas Asphalt Pavement Association and Association of General Contractors, as well as a member of the Association of Builders and Contractors. Kirby has been an active member of the Association of Equipment Dealers since 1987 and was awarded the inaugural Lester J. Heath, III Award for his distinguished service and commitment to education in the equipment industry in 2017.