GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Leitz Tooling USA has appointed Kenneth Nemec as chief executive officer. Nemec will oversee U.S. operations for the global tooling manufacturer.

Nemec has been involved in manufacturing for 39 years, with the last 20 spent in senior leadership positions for organizations including Ever Sharp Tools Inc. and American Broach & Machine. He is also a journeyman toolmaker and patent holder. Nemec holds a Masters in Business Administration and Management with endorsements in Marketing and Quality Management from Ferris State University.

Nemec is a Boy Scouts of America Wood Badge recipient. As an adult leader with the Scouts, Nemec has trained hundreds of youth and adult leaders in the skills of leadership and team-building with an emphasis on the importance of character. Nemec also founded a non-profit organization “Fighting Against Sarcoma Together (FAST) to raise funds dedicated to fighting the rare cancer. He also enjoys delivering food to the elderly and spending free time with his two adult children and four grandchildren.

"I'm honored, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to lead this exceptional organization of creative, dedicated and talented professionals," said Nemec. "Leitz is an industry innovator that delivers solutions for continuous manufacturing improvement at the highest level. This is a terrific opportunity that any leader would welcome."

Leitz is a global leader in high-technology engineering and manufacturing of precision tooling and systems for machining wood, plastics, and advanced composites. With corporate headquarters in Oberkochen, Germany, Leitz operates eight service centers across North America. USA service centers are located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Archdale, North Carolina, Garland, Texas, San Bernardino, California, Kent, Washington and Reno, Nevada.  Canadian service centers are located in Drummondville, Quebec and Kitchener, Ontario.