Director for Operations

Dabney (Dab) Kern is the director for operations at the U.S. DOT Volpe Center. In this role, he is responsible for guiding the U.S. DOT Volpe Center’s operational workforce in delivering mission support across the Center, which includes facility management, acquisitions, information technology, human resources, organizational culture and work life, as well as coordinating with the U.S. DOT Office of the Secretary for finance support. Kern manages and develops sponsor and staff-centered initiatives that strengthen the U.S. DOT Volpe Center’s business enterprise. He supports the U.S. DOT Volpe Center director and the U.S. DOT Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology to carry out Secretarial priorities and organizational initiatives, particularly in key areas such as workforce management, collaboration with General Services Administration on our U.S. DOT Volpe Center facility, shared enterprise-wide services, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.  

Kern joined the U.S. DOT Volpe Center in August 2024 after various roles in the private sector, including leading T-Rex Solutions’ national security portfolio across the defense, homeland security, and intelligence communities and leading CACI International’s development and integration group, pioneering several solutions and products, particularly in secure mobile communications. Concurrently, he was appointed by the U.S. President to serve on the Congressionally mandated National Commission on Military Aviation Safety, where he was charged with helping to develop recommendations to national leadership on how U.S. defense forces could reduce aviation-related fatalities. Kern led CACI’s rapid expansion into the homeland security market before returning to government in 2014.   

Kern has served three U.S. Presidents over four stints in the White House, most recently as the head of the White House Military Office. As one of the only White House staff to span administrations, he was appointed by both Presidents Obama and Trump to oversee the largest component of the White House comprised of numerous national security operations. Kern managed more than 20 directorates and commands comprised of more than 3,000 active duty and civilian personnel, including Camp David, the White House Medical Unit, Presidential Food Service, the White House Transportation Agency, the White House Communications Agency, Military Aides to the President, and classified program offices. In addition, he oversaw the Presidential Airlift Group, operating Air Force One, Two, and ancillary platforms, as well as Marine Helicopter Squadron, operating marine One, Two, and all rotary support to the White House. Kern was responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the President, Vice President, and key personnel during increased threat levels and times of crisis, and he served as the President’s advisor on military operational support. 

Kern also held several operational, policy, and emergency management leadership positions in the National Security Council, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. He served as the President’s Senior Director for Readiness and Response, helping to coordinate U.S. support to the Fukushima earthquake, the H1N1 Pandemic, and numerous natural disasters. Kern has authored and led the implementation of several national policies addressing critical infrastructure, disaster recovery, and sustainability.  

Selected to the Senior Executive Service in 2009 after a 20-year military career as a naval aviator, Kern holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in information technology, is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval War College Professional Military Education Program, and maintains professional certificates and credentials in business continuity and program management.