With its National Headquarters hire of Danford Kern, Civil Air Patrol recognizes the importance of its people — both its members and staff — as essential to achieving its mission.
Investing in a “chief people officer” underscores Civil Air Patrol’s commitment to nurturing, developing, and retaining talent, said John Desmarais, CAP’s chief operating officer. The new leadership role came from a desire to focus more on CAP’s human capital, he said.
“We are thinking strategically about the future of our organization,” Desmarais said. “Continuing to grow, evolve and meet the needs of our membership for today and tomorrow requires a shift. And that all relies on getting the right people on board to support our vision.
“Adding our first chief people officer will enhance our people operations and will be vital in aligning our human resources initiatives with the organization’s business goals. Dan’s background with CAP and his other experiences made him our top choice for this pivotal role.”
In addition to Human Resources, Kern will be responsible for Personnel and Membership Services and the Learning Office at National Headquarters — assisting with educational opportunities, managing systems, and aligning training opportunities.
Becoming Civil Air Patrol’s first chief people officer brings Kern full circle on a career path that started as a CAP cadet and included the U.S. Army, the nation’s defense, banking industries, and the Peace Corps.
At age 14, Kern’s relationship with CAP began when he had to choose between becoming an Eagle Scout or staying in Civil Air Patrol’s Wisconsin Wing as a cadet.
“I chose … the chance to be in a great youth organization,” Kern said. He started in the 153rd Madison Composite Squadron before moving to the Fox Cities Composite Squadron in Appleton. He achieved the Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award, CAP’s top cadet honor, in February 1989 and served on the ground search and rescue team, as a cadet squadron commander, and as a leader at encampments.
Kern said he was grateful for the sense of community he found in the Fox Cities squadron. “I made lifelong friends; we still get together each year at the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh air show.”
Kern said CAP taught him the value of military service, even though it was already a family tradition.
“As a fifth-generation soldier, joining the Army wasn’t a difficult decision,” he said. During his 22-year Army career, he flew helicopters, among them the UH-1H (Huey), UH-60A/L, MH-60L (Black Hawk), MH-6J (Little Bird), CH-47D, and MH-47E (Chinook), retiring as chief of aviation training for the 1st Army.
“I started doing human resources in the Army and really enjoyed it,” Kern said, but the tempo of frequent deployments led him to decide he’d missed too many family moments. “I retired to give my kids a place to grow, to give them the sense of community and family like I found in my CAP squadron.”
Kern said two things greatly influenced his life: Civil Air Patrol and his wife, Sarah. “CAP is the foundation upon which my life was built.”
When he saw the posting for chief people officer, he said he knew it was the perfect job for him. “This was the chance for me to come full circle and give back to the organization that gave me so much. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime job.
“The organization that was formative in my youth coming now at the pinnacle of my profession? Yes! I needed this to be fulfilled.”
Kern earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in business from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, another master’s of military arts and sciences in military history from the U.S. Army Command and Staff College, and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
He lives in Davenport with his wife of 30 years and daughter, Elly, a rising senior who will attend the University of Iowa next fall. His son, Nate, is a junior there.
His philosophy of human resources is intuitive. “People provide the strategic advantage to an organization. CAP pulls together a high degree of public-service-minded people. Its proven leadership training teaches staff and cadets to become leaders,” he said.
“I feel that HR is finding the right talent at the right time and place. I want people to be excited about what they do — help people be the fullest version of themselves and ensure their job life has meaning and value.”
And what Kern see as the future for those volunteering and working in Civil Air Patrol?
“The mission is changing. The world is changing,” he said. “CAP will find a place in this space. We are already pivoting towards facing challenges for new missions, including national disaster response.”
And those circles of life all started with a young man whose teenage decision changed his entire life.
“I am so grateful I was in CAP as a young man. I will do all I can to make CAP for everyone what it was for me — a transformative experience.”
“Dan is coming back full circle,” Desmarais said. “He’s had a lifelong experience with and affinity for Civil Air Patrol. He knows the value of CAP to our young people and understands the mission.”
Kern said he wants to develop “a bench of talent” in his role “growing and developing people to be successful. Why would you not want to be a part of that?”
He knows the value of such an experience. “Who I am today — all the credit I give to Civil Air Patrol,” he said. “I’m so glad I had that experience as a young man.”_____Julia MartinContributing Writer
