Lee Styslinger, Jr.

Business Leader and Philanthropist

Lee Styslinger, Jr., the visionary founder of Altec, Inc., who took his father’s small truck equipment company and turned it into a global corporation, passed peacefully with his family by his side on October 24th, 2021. He was 88 years old. Styslinger is survived by his wife of 62 years, Catherine, and three sons, Lee Styslinger, III, Jon Styslinger and Mark Styslinger, along with eleven grandchildren.

Styslinger was born in Birmingham, Alabama, and attended St. Paul’s Elementary and St. Bernard Preparatory School in Cullman, Alabama where he was in the seminary program. Those formative years developed his deep faith and lifelong friendship with countless priests and monks. After graduating from St. Bernard’s he enrolled in the engineering program at the University of Alabama where he was a member of Theta Tau Engineering Fraternity. In 1952, following his father’s untimely death, Styslinger assumed control of Alabama Truck Equipment Co., at the age of 19. Initially, he maintained the company’s focus on building truck mounted utility bodies for Alabama Power as well as specialized compartments for dairy, bakery and dump trucks. In the late 1950s, the company narrowed that focus and began using distributors to sell equipment solely to utility customers. In 1973, during the energy crisis, Styslinger made the critical decision to have the company begin designing, manufacturing and selling its own products to electric and telecommunications utilities. Since that “make or break” decision in the early ‘70s, Altec began a truly remarkable growth period that continues to this day. The company is considered one of the leading equipment and service providers for the electric utility, telecommunications, contractor, lights and signs and tree care industries. Altec currently provides products and services in more than 100 countries around the world.

Styslinger was active within the business community and served on the board for Advanced Labelworx, Inc., Electronic Healthcare Systems, Jemison Investment Company, Inc., Mead/Westvaco Corp., Regions Financial, Saunders System, Complete Health and Southern Research Institute. In addition, he served on the Board of Governors and Executive Board of both the United States and Birmingham Area Chamber of Commerce as well as the National Alliance of Businessmen, the Equipment Manufacturers Institute and the National Association of Manufacturers. Styslinger was named to the Alabama Academy of Honor, was inducted into the Alabama Business Hall of Fame and was also named to the Birmingham Business Hall of Fame.

Throughout his business and professional career, Styslinger consistently attributed Altec’s success to his father’s philosophy about the company’s associates – “Work should be to an adult what play is to a child – enjoyable!” During board meetings, public presentations and speeches to business leaders, Styslinger would often say of his father, “My only hope is that I am able to inspire in others at least a fraction of the strength that he left in me.”

For many decades, Lee and Catherine Styslinger have been recognized for their philanthropic efforts and commitment to a number of charities in Central Alabama, as well as throughout the communities that Altec serves. Most notably, those charities included Catholic Charities, United Way, St. Francis Xavier Church, Children’s Hospital, UAB Hospital, UAB School of Nursing and The Birmingham Museum of Art as well as numerous others. He held positions on the Board of Trustees for Highland Day School and the Birmingham Symphony Association. Styslinger also served on the Board of Directors of such organizations as the American Red Cross, Children’s Harbor, Junior Achievement of Greater Birmingham, St. Vincent’s hospital, Birmingham Council of Boy Scouts of America and the Metropolitan Development Board. He was a member of The Country Club of Birmingham, The Jupiter Island Club, Seminole Golf Club, Shoal Creek and was President of Mountain Brook Club. In 1997, Lee and Catherine Styslinger established the Altec/Styslinger Foundation with the vision and purpose of bettering the communities throughout the country in which Altec associates live and work. Specifically, the Altec/Styslinger Foundation focuses on contributions that enable education opportunities, workforce development and economic growth in the communities served by Altec.

Styslinger savored spending time with family, friends and business associates. In addition to boating and fishing, he enjoyed playing golf with the Rollers and Marauders and eating out with his Friday lunch group, the Romeo’s. He treasured his beloved wife, Catherine, and was an exceptional father and grandfather. He will be greatly missed by his children, grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, friends and business associates.

He was predeceased by his parents, Lee Styslinger, Sr. and Margaret as well as his brother Bill Styslinger. He is survived by his wife, Catherine Styslinger and his sister Margaret Yount; by his children, Lee Styslinger, III (Kelly), Jon Styslinger (Babbie), and Mark Styslinger (Jennifer); by his grandchildren, Paul, Scott, Leo, Temple, Sarah, Jon, Jr., Matthew, Mac, Claudia, Stella and Lydia.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to Catholic Charities or United Way of Central Alabama. A service will be held on Thursday, October 28th, 2021 at 4pm at St. Francis Xavier Church immediately followed by a celebration of his life at Mountain Brook Club.