Kness announces leadership transition

Kathy Kness-Wauson

On July 30, Kathy Kness-Wauson, third-generation president of industry manufacturer Kness Pest Defense, retired from 34 years of leading the day-to-day operational responsibilities. The board then appointed Kness General Manager Dan Crew to oversee the company’s Albia, Iowa-based operations. This shift represents the first time in the company’s 96-year history that a non-Kness family member has been selected to direct Kness Pest Defense.

“This transition is a significant step for the company moving forward,” Kness-Wauson said in a news release. “While it’s a changing of the guard, per se, the company’s day-to-day operations will continue being led by someone who holds the company’s Midwest values and commitment to excellence that has propelled Kness to being the industry standard when it comes to pest control products. And that someone is Dan Crew.”

Kness-Wauson still serves as president of the company and its board of directors. She is the granddaughter of Austin “Brick” Kness, inventor of the Ketch-All Multiple Catch Mousetrap and founder of Kness Manufacturing Co.

Crew’s transition to his new role is expected to be swift, as he has been involved with overseeing daily operations of manufacturing while creating and implementing strategies for growing the company over the last year as general manager.

“It is a great privilege and honor to be selected to take up the mantle for daily operations,” Crew said in the news release. “I stand committed to pushing the envelope of what Kness is capable of producing when it comes to creating top-tier pest solutions for all of our customers, while reinforcing the company’s welcoming culture of compassion, motivation and respect.”

Crew brings 31 years of manufacturing experience and a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt professional. He began his career as a production worker and moving his way up from acting foreman, production scheduler, data control specialist, senior site purchasing agent, and finally, as a process control technician.