January NSME Dinner

Background Information:

Kenny Koblitz

Born in Cleveland, OH.

Graduate of Shaker Heights H.S and Ohio State University (B.A. in Journalism with Minor in Public Relations)

The United States Air Force Reserve (recalled to active duty twice during the time of the Viet Nam conflict)

Joined Zep Mfg.in 1964. Zep is a worldwide manufacturer of specialty chemical products for industrial and

institutional customers. Over the following 14 years, advanced from salesman to Atlanta City Sales Mgr., to

Georgia District Sales Mgr.and to Southeastern Sales Mgr. At that point, I became Sales Manager of two

Zep truck washing units and created them into a single unit with 40 sales reps in the U.S. and Canada

In 1978 I joined AMERICO Mfg. (A Zep vendor) as V.P. of Sales and Marketing. Over the next 10 years

AMERICO sales went from $4 million to $25 million.

In 1988 in returned to Zep to create a recruiting, hiring and training program. Over the following 12 years,

the program produced approximately 750 new salespeople across North America.

Upon retiring from Zep at the end of 2000, I began consulting with distributors and manufacturers in

the specialty chemical industry.

During 2015-16 school year I served as Executive In Residence in the College of Business at The State

The University of New York at Fredonia. I taught 2 courses in basic sales, as well as mentoring students

in the art of interviewing.

In the fall of 2016, I joined Cleveland State University in the Monte Ahuja College of Business as the 

Director of what became The Bernie Moreno Center for Sales Excellence.

In January of 2019, I joined Values In Action as Managing Director of Workforce Training.