Robert A. Kleist

President and CEO of Printronix

Robert A. Kleist is co-founder and leader of one of the world's leading printer manufacturers. The shuttle-based line matrix printer that he and his partner designed has grown into a product line that now includes industrial-quality laser, thermal and line-matrix printers. Printronix, headquartered in Irvine, Calif., was able to form partnerships with many major systems companies to provide Printronix printers under their logo. The company employs about 1,000 people worldwide. Printronix's annual revenue exceeds $150 million.

He received the DESA as the president and CEO of Printronix.