Dr. Ken J. Kovach has instructed for various schools, to include University of Maryland (Collegiate Professor), Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Associate Professor & Outstanding European Faculty Member 1994 & 1996), Southern Illinois University, City Colleges of Chicago, Northwood University, University of Hull, and other universities (over 550 total courses taught).  Prior to his teaching positions, he worked for 23 years in the United States Air Force, performing duties in Logistics, Transportation, Plans, Operations, patient care, and Administration. His duties involved the European Airborne Command and Control Post (EC-135), management in Joint Command and Joint Chief of Staff activities, aerial delivery, air terminal and Logair, air freight, operations and plans, air passenger and cargo movements, railroad operations, hospital care, vehicle maintenance & operations, SATO (schedule airlines) activities, traffic management, and VIP passenger transportation.

      Initially, Ken spent almost five years as an enlisted medical technician specializing in psychiatric care. His qualifications through the Airman Education and Commissioning Program enabled him to earn his air force commission as a Transportation officer. In this field, he attended intensive training programs in traffic management, personnel management, logistics, air cargo, air passenger movements, strategic management and planning, and vehicle operations & maintenance. He flew on numerous combat missions in Vietnam while supervising aerial delivery, air cargo, and passenger air operations. Ken supervised the movement of the entire 1st Calvary division during a major combat relocation, earned the Airmans and Air Medal, and was recognized as the Air Force’s Outstanding Transportation Officer in 1969. In total, he earned over 30 DOD and Air Force awards during his career. Within Air Force Logistics Command and United States Air Forces Europe, Ken negotiated civilian contracts, represented management in labor disputes, and was directly involved in employee/employer settlements. Many times, he was involved in major logistical activities, coordinating closely with Supply and Procurement officials in conducting important domestic and international air movements of personnel and material.

     In transportation planning and management, Ken supervised the largest U.S. Air Force railroad operations; operated one of two DOD tire depots for aircraft tires; operated the northeast United States Logair activity; managed all aspects of aerial port activities; developed and supervised base mobility plans at RAF Mildenhall and Wright-Patterson AFB; managed a 1500 vehicle fleet and civilian contract operations; provided control and expertise relating to air/ground movement of cargo and passengers (70,000 tons/100,000 passengers annually); contracted and supervised commercial air cargo carriers; prepared industrial and operations’ budgets; and recruited, trained, and supervised administrative staff.

     He conducted major research efforts in personnel management, training, labor resources, teaching, personnel and student assessment, and corporate aviation. His publications include a Corporate and Business Aviation text; Corporate Aviation Management text; three independent study courses for Embry-Riddle; a National Business Aviation Association program in Aircraft Selection, Outfitting, and Retrofitting; a graduate research writing guide for the University of Maryland; a Major Applied Research Project; and various educational writings. He has reviewed texts for SAGE Publications and is a referee for the Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education and Research.

     His doctorate is from Nova University (EdD-Higher Education), masters from Wayne State University (MA-Guidance & Counseling), and bachelors from the University of Tennessee (BS-Business).  Ken is active with the Institute of Transport Administration and Phi Gamma Sigma, a founder member of the Institute of Air Transport, member of the American Statistical Association and American Counselor Association, advisor for corporate/business aviation, and committee chair for research and statistics’ programs.  Ken is married and has two daughters. His interests are fitness, sports, research activities, and helping students learn.