2023 40 Under 40: Britt Kern, PE, LEED AP BD+C, 34

Senior Mechanical Engineer, GPI; MA, Architectural Engineering, Pennsylvania State University

By Consulting-Specifying Engineer May 15, 2023

Kern began his career at META as a summer intern in 2011 and quickly rose through the ranks to become a project manager and technical lead in the mechanical department. Kern’s former duties at Bala | META included numerous interactions with clients including proposal writing, facility assessment, basis of design documentation, construction documentation, bidding assistance and construction administration. He has been a member of ASHRAE since his senior year in college and frequently attends industry events. He is also an avid public speaker, giving presentations on indoor grow facilities for medical cannabis. As a designer, he tries to think outside the box and seeks to keep sustainability and responsible stewardship of the environment in mind when working on projects. According to his peers, he is a natural born leader whose calm and confident approach helps draw others toward him. Many of Bala | META’s younger engineers enjoyed receiving help from Kern because of his approachability and constructive teaching methods. He is also involved in community service outside his industry role. Last year, he volunteered to build flower beds for a farm to promote the health of the local honeybee population. In addition, during COVID-19, he regularly grocery-shopped for his elderly, high-risk neighbor. Although busy, Kern still finds time to enjoy an active lifestyle outside the office. Over the past 11.5 years, he has competed in 35 registered marathons and ultras, including the 100-mile C&O Canal race. In addition to his endurance pursuits, he also dabbles in playing music and is an avid chess player