Early Life
Norman Harold Asbjornson was born in Winifred, Montana, on December 10, 1935. He was the first son of Julian "Boots" Asbjornson and Dorothy "Eric" Asbjornson and the fourth generation of his family to live in Winifred. Growing up, he worked odd jobs to earn money and learned the value of money management at an early age.
Rise to Success
After graduating from Montana State College (now Montana State University) in 1960 with a degree in mechanical engineering, Asbjornson embarked on his career in the HVAC industry. He began as a salesman with American Standard. Over the next 12 years, he held six different jobs in five different cities, gaining valuable experience in the field. In 1972, he transitioned to Singer after American Standard sold its rooftop HVAC operation.
In 1988, Asbjornson founded AAON, a commercial HVAC company, after leading the buyout of John Zink's HVAC division. He served as CEO from its inception until 2020, when he became Executive Chairman.
Key Business Strategies
Asbjornson's vision for AAON was to create a company that designed and manufactured semi-custom HVAC equipment. The name AAON was chosen to ensure the company would be listed first in phone directories. AAON went public with Asbjornson as President and CEO. He focused on efficient manufacturing processes and building strong relationships within the industry. AAON has manufacturing facilities in multiple locations, including Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Longview, Texas. The company's success is reflected in its revenue of $1.2 billion in 2024.
Philanthropy
Asbjornson has a strong commitment to philanthropy, particularly supporting his alma mater, Montana State University (MSU). In 2014, he pledged $50 million to help fund a new College of Engineering at MSU, the largest private gift in Montana's history. He has also donated $10.4 million for the construction of the new Montana Heritage Center. Additionally, Asbjornson has contributed to local causes, including the Winifred Educational Fund and the Central Montana Medical Center.