H.B. Turner ’79 is an entrepreneur, retired CEO, Treasurer of the Culver-Stockton College Board of Trustees, and diligent supporter of the Culver-Stockton College experience. Turner’s Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and economics with a minor in accounting helped him in his 35-year long career with Heatron Inc., a company which serves over 30 market segments, the largest being key components for medical devices such as sleep apnea and kidney dialysis machines.
During his tenure, Turner served as the company’s President and CEO and shepherded the company to become part of the Swedish public company Global Leader NIBE Inustriier AB, which is a worldwide leader in the heating element market. Since his retirement from Heatron Inc. in January of 2018, Turner has been the primary owner and Chairman of Peachtree Lighting, a manufacturer of LED lighting fixtures sold to commercial and industrial specification markets throughout the USA and internationally.
His entrepreneurial spirit, which has earned him distinguished recognitions such as the Ernst & Young LLP Manufacturing Industrial Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Kansas/Western Missouri and allowed him to participate in the National Entrepreneur of the Year competition, is something he shares with Culver-Stockton College students on their visits to the Kansas City area. Over the course of his career, Turner has consistently tied his successes back to his time on “the Hill” and he serves as an engaged advocate for C-SC students, offering them unique opportunities to prepare for their future careers by providing them with access to entrepreneurs and executives, setting up tours of manufacturing plants in the Kansas City area, and connecting students with internship opportunities.
