The 2018 Rising Stars of the Profession: Kevin Kuschel

Being Chief Operating Officer of a consulting firm in your mid-thirties is certainly impressive, but Kevin Kuschel doesn't plan on stopping there.

"Consulting opens doors to places otherwise inaccessible to younger professionals and often presents an opportunity to impact a company, and in some cases an industry," Kuschel says. "In most careers, decisions rarely translate into tangible results, but consulting is different since the impacts of recommendations are often immediately recognized. What most excites me though is that you never stop learning… there is no 'mastery' because consulting is ever evolving."

Ask Kuschel about his professional accomplishments at this point of his career and he'll say he's most proud of the fact that he's been able to grow with Longnecker & Associates, from a Consultant to COO over the last 10 years. "Throughout this time, I've worked with hundreds of different clients, obtained three professional certifications, and developed many relationships," he says. "I am part of a phenomenal team and have had the benefit of exceptional leadership."

In Kuschel's opinion, no one is truly successful without people leading and/or supporting them, and he says he's had the unique opportunity to consistently experience both aspects. "This is true not only professionally, but also from my wife, Jenn, and our children who have clearly supported me in this career."

Kuschel says he once received some great advice to listen to everything and learn from everyone. "Everyone has something to teach or another perspective that is valuable to growth in life, whether personal or professional," he says.

Kuschel says winning a Rising Stars award represents years of focus on building knowledge and working toward being a role model for others. "My hope is that this motivates others at Longnecker & Associates to work toward this same goal and receive the same level of recognition they deserve."