It’s never too late to make a change.

Rodney Ellison, fitness trainer turned senior training specialist, has spent the last decade adapting to new environments and evolving himself in ways he never thought possible—all without ever having to leave Kohler Co.

After completing his bachelor’s degree in exercise science, Rodney joined Kohler Co. in 2008 as a fitness trainer at our Sports Core health club. He then moved on to become a corporate security officer and also spent time as a customer service agent before returning to a different type of training—this time on our learning and development team.

 “I focused my development plan to lead me into a position that involved training associates and helping others find their path,” Rodney explained. “My connections, careful planning and personal drive created an opportunity for me to be tapped for this role.”

The 2018 MBA graduate now spends his time focused on improving the strategy and content to support our associate development learning programs. His favorite part? Coaching and helping people grow.

“From my first day at Kohler, there has always been at least one person that I could look to for guidance. I’ve had many conversations on personal and professional growth, which started my journey to the role I am in today.”

As Rodney continues to build his career in HR, he hasn’t forgotten what brought him to Kohler Co. in the first place. The former fitness trainer still teaches a few classes a week at our new indoor cycling studio, Bold Cycle, sharing his many talents across businesses and the community.

“Kohler has shown me a loyalty and love that not many people get to experience from their employer and fellow associates,” he added. “The relationships that I have developed throughout my time here and the advancement that I’ve made do not go unappreciated. For that, I will continue to bring my best every day for this company and the people that I support.”