EXHIBIT 99.1




Michael Clevy named CEO, DESA International, Inc.

Bowling Green, KY - November 10, 1999 - DESA International, Inc. today announced
that W.  Michael  Clevy has been named  President  and Chief  Executive  Officer
succeeding Terry G. Scariot who along with John Kelly,  Chief Operating Officer,
who have  elected  for  personal  reasons  to step  down  from  their  operating
responsibilities,  Messrs.  Scariot  and Kelly  will be working  with Mr.  Clevy
during an extended period to ensure a smooth transition.  Stephen L. Clanton has
been named Chief Financial Officer filling an open position.

Mr. Clevy,  51, had been President and Chief Executive  Officer of International
Comfort Products from 1994 until its purchase by United Technologies Corporation
in September, 1999. ICP is a designer,  manufacturer and marketer of central air
conditioning  and heating  products for residential and light  commercial use in
the U.S. and Canada. Under Mr. Clevy's leadership, ICP revenues grew from $532.8
million to over $800  million in the past five years.  Prior to joining  ICP, he
spent  23  years  with  United  Technologies,  most  recently  serving  as  Vice
President,  Manufacturing and Technology for Carrier North American  operations.
He is a member of the Board of  Directors  of  Pameco  Corporation,  a member of
Nashville's  Baptist  Hospital  Corporate  Advisory Board and a member of Purdue
University's  Herrick Laboratories  Advisory Committee.  Mr. Clevy has a B.S. in
Mechanical  Engineering  from  Purdue  University  and an  M.B.A.  from  Indiana
University.  He was named the Distinguished  Engineering  alumni in 1998 and was
the recipient of the Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Award in 1997, both from
Purdue University.

Mr. Clanton, 48, had been the Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer of ICP from 1996 until its purchase by United  Technologies.  Prior to
joining ICP, he was Executive  Vice  President and Chief  Financial  Officer for
Falcon Products Inc., St. Louis, Missouri, from 1988 to 1996.

Raymond B. Rudy, Chairman of DESA, said, "Terry and John leave DESA in excellent
condition."  "Under their  leadership,  the Company has achieved  market-leading
positions in the zone heating and speciality  product  sectors." "We are pleased
that Terry and John will continue to work with new management."

Terry G. Scariot  became Chief  Financial  Officer of DESA in March 1985. He was
appointed  President  of DESA in March  1996 and was named  the Chief  Executive
Officer in April 1999.

John M. Kelly joined DESA in 1972. During his  27-year-tenure  with the company,
Mr. Kelly has held positions of increasing responsibility in the areas of sales,
marking and engineering. He was appointed Executive Vice President in March 1996
and was named Chief Operating Officer in April 1999.

DESA  International,  Inc.,  based in  Bowling  Green,  Kentucky,  is a  leading
manufacturer  and marketer of zone  heating/home  comfort products and specialty
tools in the United




States.  The company sells its products through multiple consumer and commercial
channels of  distribution  including the leading home centers,  mass  merchants,
warehouse  clubs,   hardware   cooperatives,   specialty  heating  distributors,
construction and industrial  equipment dealers,  farm supply outlets and natural
gas utilities under numerous brand names.

Contact: DESA International, Inc.
              Ed Patrick
              270-745-7843

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