Kevin Klock: Academy of Distinguished Engineers - 2015

President and Chief Executive Officer Talking Rain Beverage Co. Preston, Washington

Being a chemical engineer opened up the world to me,” said Kevin Klock, who credits a strong educational foundation in Oregon State’s chemical engineering program with giving him the ability to apply theory to real-world situations, solve tough engineering problems, and analyze paybacks from a business standpoint.He also learned the art of collaboration by working on multiple projects as a member of a team, and that skill helped him build a stellar career in the food and beverage industry. Klock landed his first job by participating in a career fair in his senior year. Ralston Purina launched him on his path by putting him to work right after graduation as an engineering management trainee. He was promoted twice at Ralston Purina before moving on to Nestlé USA as a division sales support manager in 1995. At Nestlé, Klock rose through the ranks and became the go-to champion for business units in trouble. His engineering degree serves him well as a business leader because of his understanding of manufacturing processes and the ability to know when to ask the right questions. In 2002, Dairy Farmers of America hired him to work his managerial magic at one of their plants.In 2006, Klock moved on to Talking Rain Beverage Co. as vice president of operations. He was there in 2010 to pick up the pieces when the company went into free fall. Under his leadership, Talking Rain has become one of the fastest growing beverage companies in the United States.