Karger David Kohler (born June 9, 1966) is an American businessman, serving as the chair and

chief executive officer A chief executive officer (CEO), also known as a chief executive or managing director, is the top-ranking corporate officer charged with the management of an organization, usually a company or a nonprofit organization. CEOs find roles in variou ...

(CEO) of

Kohler Company Kohler Co., is an American manufacturing company founded in 1873 by John Michael Kohler, based in Kohler, Wisconsin. Kohler is best known for its plumbing products, but the company also manufactures furniture, cabinetry, tile, engines, and El ...

. He is the fourth generation of the Kohler family of Wisconsin to lead the company since its inception in 1873. Kohler sits on the

Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are a professional American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. They ar ...

board of directors.

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 Duke University is a Private university, private research university in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present-day city of Trinity, North Carolina, Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1 ...

with a bachelor's degree in political science. He earned his MBA from the

Kellogg School of Management The Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management (branded as Northwestern Kellogg) is the graduate business school of Northwestern University, a Private university, private research university in Evanston, Illinois. History Early ...

Northwestern University Northwestern University (NU) is a Private university, private research university in Evanston, Illinois, United States. Established in 1851 to serve the historic Northwest Territory, it is the oldest University charter, chartered university in ...

in 1992. Earlier, 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. After graduating from Kellogg, Kohler worked in management positions at Dayton-Hudson Corporation.

Career

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 was general chairman for the 2015 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits and is served as general chair for the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits. Kohler is also 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. In September 2022, Kohler was elected board chair of Kohler Co. following the death of his father, who had served as chairman since 1972.

References

External links

David Kohler
''profile on Kohler Company website'' {{DEFAULTSORT:Kohler, David Kohler Company 1966 births Living people American chief executives of materials companies Businesspeople from Wisconsin People from Kohler, Wisconsin Kohler family (Wisconsin) Duke University Trinity College of Arts and Sciences alumni Kellogg School of Management alumni