We’re excited to welcome Kevin Cardwell to the team as our newest Senior Dust Hazards Consultant! Based in Verona, Missouri, Kevin brings decades of hands-on experience, and a unique perspective shaped by nearly every role in the combustible dust and fire protection field.
Kevin most recently served as a Senior Combustible Dust Consultant and Fire & Explosion Investigator, where he built a strong reputation for his investigative expertise. His career path, however, is anything but conventional. He served as a Navy shipboard firefighter, followed by 10 years as a volunteer firefighter, all while working full-time and finishing his degree. He started his career in this industry as a system designer and later worked as a test lab manager and project engineer before becoming a consultant and investigator. These experiences gave him a deep, practical understanding of fire behavior, risk, and response that continues to shape his work today.
Over the years, Kevin has worn just about every hat in the industry. That breadth of experience allows him to approach challenges holistically, combining technical knowledge with real-world application. His favorite part of the job is investigating and digging into the “why” behind incidents and helping organizations prevent future events. Equally important is Kevin’s passion for teaching. He thrives on sharing knowledge and helping others grow, and he is currently writing two books focused on training the next generation of engineers and safety professionals. His goal is simple but powerful: to help others gain in years what took him decades to learn. He believes deeply in building better engineers through mentorship, education, and practical insight.
Outside of work, Kevin is deeply family-oriented and enjoys spending time with his daughter, who is recently engaged. The two share a love for hunting, fishing, and competitive shooting, where Kevin competes in high-power, long-range events. His daughter has also had an impressive journey of her own as a former professional gamer and is now exploring a future in criminal justice. Whether outdoors or at the range, Kevin values the time they spend together.
Please join us in welcoming Kevin. We’re excited for the expertise, curiosity, and passion he brings to our team!