Ranken Technical College

Alumni

John Kohnen

Electrical, 1944

Following graduation from Ranken in 1944, Kohnen volunteered for the Army Air Force and served in the Pacific Theater. After receiving his discharge after WWII, he worked as an electrician until March 1, 1948 when he founded Kay Bee Electric. Now in it’s 59th year, Kay Bee Electric has grown to become one of the major electrical consulting firms in the St. Louis area. Kohnen’s two sons, Steve and Brian, currently serve as President and Vice President of the company. Kohnen jokes that they still “tolerate” his coming into the office each morning when he is in town.

Kohnen has served on many boards during his career, including the Florissant Chamber of Commerce, the boards of Lindbergh Bank, Florissant Bank, Citizen’s Bank of Florissant, Father Dunne’s Home, Marymount Foundation, the St. Louis Electrical Board and PRIDE. Kohnen has also been a member of the Florissant Rotary, American Legion Post 444, the Florissant Valley Chamber of Commerce, St. Angela Merici Parish. He has also been involved extensively with the St Louis Chapter of the National Electrical Contractor’s Association, not only serving on their board, but also serving at various times as Vice President, President and Governor.

Kohnen was also elected to the National Academy of Electrical Contracting. This is an honor reserved for those who “... have rendered exceptional service to the [electrical contracting] industry and that service is continued and enhanced through aspects of electrical construction in which they have developed expert knowledge.” He is now considered a member emeritus of this prestigious academy.

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