About


​Hi, I'm Bart Kesner and thanks for dropping by!

​Since receiving my MBA immediately following undergraduate school, my professional background consists of a variety of senior leadership roles focused on transformation management, customer experience, client relationships, and program/project management.

Thanks to my parents and a well rounded upbringing, my personal interests run the gamut from sports, travel, art, technology. and the outdoors just to name a few. I try to enjoy those things with my friends and family which includes my wife and daughters (and yes, dog!).​​
​​Take a look around and feel free to reach out to me here. If you are curious why I started this site, you can find out in my Journal. Some of my most recent updates and plans for future posts can be found in the Spotlight below

Spotlight


​December 22, 2025
The Long Way Home: Photos, Beer, and the Pursuit of the Perfect Cup

They say that "absence makes the heart grow fonder," but after three weeks trekking through Germany, Luzern, Switzerland and Amsterdam, I think I’ve discovered the corollary: "absence makes the home look like a sanctuary."

I’ve spent the last several weeks settling back into my life/work routine, and while the transition from "vacation Bart" to “work Bart" is always a bit of a jolt, this time felt different. As I mentioned earlier, this was the longest I’ve ever been away. And as much as I loved the Rhine—and believe me, the  Kölsch in Cologne is worth every bit of the hype—there is a unique gravity that pulls you back toward your own zip code.

Now that the jet lag has finally cleared and I’ve had time to actually look at a few of those 1,300 photos, I’ve been reflecting on what it means to truly "get away" versus what it means to "come home."

The Highlights
My time in Amsterdam was a standout. There is something about being in an old, beautiful European city (even in the rain) that just slows you down. Whether we were strolling along a picturesque canal or dining at the homey and notsalgic Moeders restaurant, we leaned into the culture and beauty that surrounded us.  Speaking of Moeders (Dutch for Mothers), do yourself a favor. Go in for a meal and your favorite beverage and don’t look at your watch or phone. Just exist. And remember.

The Creature Comforts
But as fantastic as my time away was, there were three things I missed with an intensity that surprised me:
  1. Liesel. There is no "Welcome Home" quite like the one you get from a dog. No offense to the rest of my family (you know I love you guys!), but Liesel’s enthusiasm upon my return was a masterclass in unconditional joy.
  2. The Calibration of Home.  I stayed in some truly fantastic hotels and Airbnbs on this trip, but even in the nicest suite, there’s always something not quite right. Maybe the room temperature is a little too warm or cool, or maybe you can’t find the switch for that one weird lamp, or despite bringing so many different converters the iPad still doesn’t charge. Whatever it is, coming back to my own home and office felt like a recalibration. There is a profound sense of peace in a home where everything is exactly where it should be.
  3. The Coffee. Look, Europe knows its way around an espresso. But there is a specific, meditative quality to my morning coffee routine at home that a hotel buffet just can’t replicate. And don’t get me started on trying to find a consistently good americano while traveling.

Back to the Grind
Returning back to work meant immediately diving back into the "urgent tasks vs. creative work" dance I’ve talked about here before. It’s funny how a three-week break can make your own productivity systems feel brand new. I found myself re-evaluating my Zenkit boards with fresh eyes. Sometimes you have to step away from the machinery to see where the gears are grinding.

The Takeaway
If 2025 has taught me anything, it’s that we need the "highs" of the travel (and the 1,300 photos to prove it) to appreciate the "nows" of the everyday. Whether I’m navigating a winding street in Speyer or a complex program management shift at work, the goal is the same: stay present.

As we head into the final weeks of the year, I’ll be here—likely with a coffee in hand, Liesel at my feet, and a very long queue of photos to edit.

How are you finding your balance as the year winds down? Feel free to reach out and let me know.

And my wish for the new year?… Coffee. Always coffee.
​* * *
October 20, 2025
Traveling in 2025

Somehow we are already in the 4th quarter of the year. It honestly doesn't seem that long ago I had ushered in the New Year, planted spring flowers, or taken my daughter to college to begin her Sophomore year. While the days, weeks, months all start to blend into one I can't help but pause and see the leaves beginning to change color and fall (sometimes endlessly) into my yard.

​But, before I buyout my local hardware store of their paper lawn and leaf bags I have to reflect on the trip I just came back from. I spent over 3 weeks in Germany with a little Switzerland and Amsterdam thrown in for good measure. I've never before thought to myself "Man, I can't wait to get back home" while on vacation, but I did on this one. Not because it wasn't fantastic. It certainly was. This was, however, the longest vacation I had ever taken and I really did start to miss the creature comforts of home. More on that later!

I do plan on updating this site with a lot of pics (I have over 1,300 to review/edit) and my travel thoughts so please stay tuned for that! In the meantime, here are a few snapshots of what's coming...
​​Feel free to explore the rest of the site. You'll notice I've included the following sections:
  • Media - Photos and videos primarily from trips or special occassions
  • Journal - Thoughts and opinions captured in my blog, and some songs I wrote back when I had time to do such things
  • Resume - Highlights of my professional accomplishments
  • Stuff I Use - Tech or other items I use which I find especially useful
  • Contact - Best ways to reach out to me