Kenneth W. De Baun, entrepreneur and business leader, honored by Stevens Institute of Technology
De Baun, a 1949 Stevens graduate, received the Charles V. Schaefer, Jr.'36 Entrepreneur Award. The award, named in honor of an extraordinary alumnus and Trustee of Stevens, is presented to an individual who embodies the classic American Spirit of creativity and persistence that is the hallmark of the true entrepreneur.
De Baun accepted the award during ceremonies at the Edwin A. Stevens Society Annual Spring Luncheon, held at the resplendent Park Avenue Club in Florham Park, N.J. Stevens' president, Dr. Harold J. Raveche, made the presentation at the podium.
In his remarks, De Baun provided a panoramic view of the life of the modern entrepreneur.
"I know what it's like," he said, "to be starting out with a wife, three kids, a house with a mortgage - and an empty bank account." He went on to describe how ingenuity, persistence, and a truly remarkable partnership with his wife, Grace, enabled him to develop and spin off numerous successful businesses.
"Thank you, Stevens," De Baun concluded, his voice breaking with emotion. "Thank you for all you have given me."
De Baun began his career at Johnson Controls, a Midwestern heating and ventilation company. He held positions with the Carrier Corporation and the Farr Company before his entrepreneurial life began in 1961. He founded and served as President and CEO of 13 companies. In the field of airflow and air filtration, his ventures included Servodyne Corporation, Air Monitor Corporation and Air Filter Sales and Service Company. His other companies, American Test and Balance Corporation, Debco Enterprises, and Team Engineering, Inc., reflect the entrepreneur's quest for a range of product excellence.
De Baun is a recognized expert in airflow control systems, holding ten U.S. patents on air filtration, airflow measurement and control, and isokinetic sampling systems.
He currently serves as principal of De Baun World, Inc., a holding concern for his many diverse business interests.
A self-described "workaholic," De Baun has found time to contribute his energies to many other endeavors. He has served on the Stevens Board of Trustees, is a member of the President's Circle and has been West Coast chair of the Edwin A. Stevens Society. In 1991 he received the Stevens Honor Award, and in 1995 he was awarded an honorary doctorate of engineering by his alma mater.
His generous giving toward the ongoing growth of the Institute is witnessed in the renovation of Edwin A. Stevens Hall, rechristened De Baun Auditorium, and in his support of the new athletic complex. As part of the five-year capital campaign, the Kenneth W. and Grace E. De Baun Challenge, a program of giving with a matching gift component, has already led to the renovation and renaming of the De Baun Athletic Field, a state of the art, all-weather facility.
De Baun's expertise and energetic practice in the vintner's art is also legendary. He owned and operated Chateau De Baun in Sonoma City, Calif., winning numerous awards for innovations in viticulture before selling the business to Kendall-Jackson.
A native of Little Ferry, N.J., De Baun holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, was a member of the Navy V-12 program and is a United States Navy veteran.
About Stevens Institute of Technology
Founded in 1870, Stevens Institute of Technology is one of the leading technological universities in the world dedicated to learning and research. Through its broad-based curricula, nurturing of creative inventiveness, and cross disciplinary research, the Institute is at the forefront of global challenges in engineering, science, and technology management. Partnerships and collaboration between, and among, business, industry, government and other universities contribute to the enriched environment of the Institute. A new model for technology commercialization in academe, known as Technogenesis®, involves external partners in launching business enterprises to create broad opportunities and shared value.
Stevens offers baccalaureates, master’s and doctoral degrees in engineering, science, computer science and management, in addition to a baccalaureate degree in the humanities and liberal arts, and in business and technology. The university has a total enrollment of 2,150 undergraduate and 3,500 graduate students, with about 250 full-time faculty. Stevens’ graduate programs have attracted international participation from China, India, Southeast Asia, Europe and Latin America. Additional information may be obtained from its web page at www.stevens.edu.
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