David Kohler

Karger David Kohler (born June 27, 1966) is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Kohler Company and is the fourth generation of the Kohler family of Wisconsin to lead the company since its inception in 1873.

Early life and education

David Kohler was born June 9, 1966 to Herbert Kohler, Jr. and Linda Kohler (née Karger). His siblings are Laura Elizabeth Kohler and Rachel DeYoung Kohler.

Kohler graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He earned his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Business career

From 1988 to 1990, Kohler worked at Kohler Co. as a corporate business analyst, a foreman in the cast iron foundry, and as a materials analyst for Kohler Engines. He then attended the Kellogg School of Management, receiving an MBA in 1992.^[1] After graduating from Kellogg, Kohler worked in management positions at Dayton Hudson Corporation.

Kohler joined the Kohler Co. Executive Management Team in 1993, when he was appointed Director – Fixtures Marketing for Plumbing North America. He was named Vice President – Sales for Plumbing North America in 1995, and Sector President – Plumbing North America the following year. In 1999, Kohler was named Group President of the Kitchen & Bath Group and elected to the Kohler Co. Board of Directors. In 2007, he was elected to the position of Executive Vice President – Kohler Co. and a member of the Executive Committee. In 2009, Kohler was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer. He became President and Chief Executive Officer of the company in April 2015. Kohler served as General Chairman for the 2015 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits and is serving as General Chair for the 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits.

Kohler also serves on the board of directors of Interface, Inc., Atlanta, Georgia; Interceramic, Chihuahua, Mexico; and the Green Bay Packers. He is a past chairman of the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s Board of Governors of Manufacturing, a former member of the Board of Directors of Menasha Corporation and past Chairman of the Young Presidents’ Organization, Intercontinental Chapter.

Personal life

Kohler is married to Nina Brookhart Kohler and they reside in Kohler, Wisconsin. They have three children: Samuel, Jack and Tait. Kohler was previously married to Elizabeth Waddell with whom he had one child, Ashley. He has two grandchildren.

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