Klein W. Kirby

Klein W. Kirby

Klein W. Kirby has served as A. Wilbert's Sons Chairman and CEO since 2009. He is responsible for the overall management of the company and LLC member relations.

Klein spent the first twelve years of his career in the raw sugar-processing and petrochemical industries in management and as a practicing mechanical engineer. He holds two Bachelor of Science degrees from Louisiana State University (LSU), the first in Industrial & Agricultural Technology and the second in Mechanical Engineering.

He is a current member of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC) Board of Directors, an active member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, an advisory board member of the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department at LSU and the LSU AgCenter, Bob R. Jones Research Station, and is an active, private-sector representative to the LSU AgCenter International Programs. Klein's career achievements include: establishing two A. Wilbert's Sons Endowed Professorships at LSU; establishing an undergraduate internship program with the LSU AgCenter and College of Agriculture, providing funding for up to eight internships per year to agriculture students; past advisory board member of the Louisiana Institute for Biofuels and Bioprocessing (LiBBi) and the Sustainable Biomass Initiative (SUBI); serving as a member and past President of the Rotary Club of Plaquemine; serving as a director of The First, A National Banking Association; and being awarded a United States Patent in 2007. Klein will tell you that he is most passionate about agriculture, engineering, education, and getting involved with the community.

As Chairman, Klein engages regularly with others in the field of agriculture, including areas of research and development, education, production, manufacturing, and, most recently, international programs. These relationships provide important community outreach to the immediate and surrounding communities, something that is very important to Klein personally and to A. Wilbert's Sons' company goals and vision as a business leader in the area.

Klein has been married to his college sweetheart since 1995, and they share two college-aged children. He loves spending time and traveling with his family. In his spare time, he loves the outdoors, hunting and fishing, metal work, fabrication, antique tractor restoration, and woodworking.