Tom Kennard, a native of Portsmouth, Ohio, graduated from Georgetown College in Kentucky with a degree in Accounting and Finance. He began his career at General Electric Aircraft Engine before becoming a founding member of Aerospace International Materials (AIM), a global specialty materials distribution and manufacturing company serving the aerospace and power generation industries.

Tom later co-founded AIM MRO, Supply Dynamics, and T&B Manufacturing—companies focused on manufacturing, supply chain, and distribution. In 2006, O’Neal Industries (ONI) acquired both AIM and Supply Dynamics. AIM subsequently merged with ONI acquisition Ferguson Metals to form United Performance Metals in 2008, where Tom served as President. He was named Executive Vice President of O’Neal Industries in 2020.