Associate Spotlight: Joe Kepler

Joe Kepler
Assistant Operations Manager
Account: Kroger – Louisville, KY

Joe Kepler began his career with Transervice in June 2022, as a Maintenance Supervisor at the company’s Kroeger Distribution Center in Louisville, KY. There he managed seven mechanics and oversaw the maintenance of some 70 tractors and 600 trailers, delivering goods to 23 Kroger Grocery Stores in the Louisville area.

Throughout the busy 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. second shift, he was responsible for overseeing the fueling operation, shift changes, reefer temperature checks, and ensuring that all scheduled and unscheduled maintenance was handled properly for one of the world’s largest retailers.

When an opening came up only a year later for an Assistant Operations Manager at the Center, Joe applied for the promotion and got it. “I love to be challenged,” he said, “and I felt I was ready to take on more responsibility. My goal is to maintain the standards of my predecessors and make improvements as necessary along the way.”

In addition to managing the mechanics and two maintenance supervisors, Joe’s new position has him interviewing new hires, ordering fuel, scheduling tractor/trailer repairs going to outside vendors, receiving new vehicles that come into the center, and putting new equipment into the systems to set up their Preventive Maintenance Schedules. So far this year, the operation has received 20 new trailers and 3 new tractors.

“One of the first things I heard about Transervice was that they preferred to promote from within,” remembers Joe. “If you have the experience and desire, they want to promote you to that next spot.”

Joe started working as a mechanic right out of high school when he enlisted in the Army. His 22-year career with the military first took him to Louisiana, Germany and Colorado where he worked on Bradley tanks and “any other pieces of equipment on the ground.” He then became a Drill Instructor for three years at Ft. Sill, OK where he trained hundreds of recruits over 14-week cycles before moving on to Ft. Hood, TX as Shop Supervisor, maintaining the unit’s tanks, personnel carriers and Humvees.

His “first job” after retiring from the military was with Penske in Nashville as a Maintenance Supervisor. Later, he held management positions with Speedco, Loves Travel Stop, and prior to joining Transervice, at Advance Auto Parts.

An avid Dallas Cowboys fan, Joe resides in LaGrange, KY with his wife Shannon. The couple has three grown children and three grandchildren.