Kern has a strong manufacturing background with more than 25 years experience in various areas of operations including safety, production management, materials, quality, and manufacturing engineering. He has been the site leader for the last 17 years in a variety of roles including plant manager, director of operations and general manager. His work experience includes industry-leading companies such as NACCO Material Handling Group, Hendrickson International, Modine Manufacturing, Square D Com- pany and Cooper Industries. He also has experience in capital planning, plant expansions, strategic planning, implementing manufacturing operating systems and new ERP systems.