MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. — The building automation industry is grieving the loss of Don Cochrane Jr., CFO of Cochrane Supply & Engineering, who passed away November 11 at 55.

Cochrane was a pivotal figure in the smart building automation sector, contributing significantly to the growth and success of his family’s business and the industry, a press release from Cochrane Supply & Engineering said.

Born in Detroit in 1969, Cochrane grew up in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, where he later raised his own family. He was a devoted husband to his wife, Stephanie, whom he met at Cochrane Supply, and a loving father to his three daughters, Carol, Katie, and Maggie, the press release said.

Cochrane earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Michigan State University.

Cochrane Supply, a second-generation, family-owned business, has been a leader in smart building automation and controls for decades

Don Cochrane Jr. worked alongside his brother, CEO Scott Cochrane, for 30 years to transform the company into an industry cornerstone. Under their leadership, the company expanded to 11 branch locations across six U.S. states and Canada and earned numerous accolades, including the Vykon Summit Award, multiple Honeywell Diamond Distributor Awards, and the CGNA High-Performance Award.

In recognition of his contributions, he was honored with the CGNA Leadership Award in 2012 and again in 2021, highlighting his strategic insight, industry expertise, and commitment to the growth of the Controls Group North America (CGNA) network.