Welcome Keith Kohn to Energenecs!

Keith recently joined Energenecs as part of the Technical Sales department. We asked him about his previous experience and his current role.

Could you tell us a bit about your background?

I grew up on a dairy farm about 20 minutes northwest of Green Bay, in a small town called Krakow, Wisconsin. After high school, I spent a year in Laramie, Wyoming, for college, but I’ve spent most of my life in the Green Bay area.

Where did you go to school?

I attended both WyoTech and ITT Technical Institute.

What’s your work background like?

I started working early, milking cows at the age of 14. After completing my studies at Wyoming Tech, I worked as a technician on agricultural and heavy equipment for 11 years. Then, I spent four years as an agricultural sales consultant specializing in chemical application equipment and controls. Before joining Energenecs, I worked in the pharmaceutical packaging sector for nearly a decade.

What attracted you to the water industry?

The automation control for water is similar to what is being used with pharmaceuticals. I saw this as an opportunity to continue to build upon my previous career experience and expand my horizons.

Before Energenecs, what was the most interesting job you had?

I was thoroughly intrigued by customers during my time as an application equipment consultant. I was traveling through nearly the exact same territory that I have now with Energenecs, assisting them with financing, trades, nutrient application and treating pests and diseases in crops like corn, alfalfa, potatoes, carrots and cranberries. The pressure and flow management on the sprayers and fertilizer spreaders, as well as the GPS monitoring was a great precursor to the water industry.

What does your job at Energenecs involve?

I provide consultation and solutions for automation and controls. Municipalities, engineers, and contractors rely on us for guidance on monitoring pressure and flows, dispensing chemicals, activating pumps, adjusting valves, and managing alerts in case of system faults.

Can you describe a typical day for you?

A typical day involves visiting clients at their sites to document their systems. I also review contractor specifications and bidding documents, attend regional conferences, and interact with technicians for repairs and find obsolete parts. Additionally, I help clarify any questions the project management team might have.

What’s a common question you get from customers?

One of the most frequent is in regards to monitoring sites via internet, radio or cellular, and how effective that can be. I find that a remotely accessible system can really ease the minds of these operators (and their families) who are on call 24/7.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

I like the people in this industry—they’re friendly, honest, and easy to collaborate with. I also enjoy the challenges presented by the constantly evolving automation market and visiting different communities throughout Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, taking in the sights and experiences that they each have to offer

What do you like to do when you aren’t working?

Our family enjoys going to national parks in North America on family vacations. I enjoy hunting deer, turkeys, and pheasants, and I fish for trout, salmon, walleye, and panfish on Lake Michigan, Green Bay, and the inland lakes and rivers. We have a vegetable garden and our kids raise hogs and steers for the fair. I typically try to travel out west once per year for a self guided backcountry trip for deer, elk or antelope. If I find any open weekends on the calendar after all that, I might squeeze in a round of sporting clays, or a ski trip.