The U.S. DOT Volpe Center is pleased to announce that Dabney (Dab) Kern has joined us as director for operations, effective August 25, 2024. The U.S. DOT Volpe Center organizes its 650+ staff members into an operations organization and four technical centers that collaborate with our sponsors to support 300+ projects a year.  

The operations organization represents 70+ “mission support” staff focused on facility management, acquisitions, information technology, human resources, and organizational culture and work life—while coordinating with U.S. DOT Office of the Secretary for finance support.  

“I’ve had the opportunity to work in a wide variety of organizations across the military, industry, and public sectors, and I value being part of something that makes a difference in the lives of others,” said Kern. “Volpe’s mission: ‘to advance transportation innovation for the public good’ certainly meets those criteria, and I jumped at the chance to be part of the Volpe team. Volpe is one of the most unique organizations in the federal government, with a talented and diverse workforce operating in one of the government’s few working capital funds. Pulling from the specialties in my background, I look forward to assimilating into the Volpe culture and helping meet the Center’s objectives.”  

In this position, Kern will guide our operational workforce in delivering mission support across the Center. He will manage and develop sponsor and staff-centered initiatives that strengthen the U.S. DOT Volpe Center’s business enterprise. Kern will support 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, and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.  

“Dab’s wealth of experience and fresh perspective means he is well positioned to continue our legacy of excellence and lead our team into a bright future,” said U.S. DOT Volpe Center Director Anne Aylward. “The past few years have brought a lot of change to our organization—a new building, an increase in staff, and many senior leaders retiring. Dab will help us settle in and straighten out, while promoting our Volpe Values, enhancing efficiencies, putting more structure into place, and continuing to improve sponsor satisfaction. I’m so happy to welcome him to our leadership team and excited for him to get to know us, our work, and our greatest asset—our people.”    

Kern joins the U.S. DOT Volpe Center from 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 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 U.S. 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. 

“While meeting with Anne and the leadership team, the values, expressed challenges, and numerous opportunities really resonated with me,” said Kern. “I’m excited to talk with staff, observe, listen, and better understand the operation of our team, and use these insights to help lead us forward as we continue to meet the Center’s mission in a truly dynamic time. As I’ve heard Anne say already: ‘Volpe’s future is certainly bright,’ and I’m happy to be a part of it.” 

About the U.S. DOT Volpe Center

Celebrating more than 50 years of federal service to the nation, the U.S. DOT Volpe Center’s mission is to transform transportation for all.

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