Nick Kessler has over 32 years of proven success in finance and sales in the Lynchburg region. For the past seven years, he has thrived in outside sales and relationship management roles with Kubota of Lynchburg and Confident Equipment of Roanoke. Committed to community service, Kessler serves on the Bedford County Planning Commission and the Bedford County Board of Zoning Appeals. He is a board member for the Bedford Chamber of Commerce and Lynchburg Regional Homebuilders Association and is actively involved in the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance. 

Kessler completed his education in finance and business at Liberty University.

1. Over the course of your career, what is your proudest accomplishment?

I’m proudest of the relationships I’ve built over the course of my career. My sales are based off relationships, and I love getting to know my customers and making sure I find them the right equipment or product.

2. What do you like most about working at Kubota of Lynchburg and Confident Equipment of Roanoke?

I love being able to go out to customers’ properties and job sites. That’s when I really get to know the customer. By visiting their properties, I get to see exactly what they’re trying to accomplish with the equipment and what their challenges are.

I also love that I am constantly learning; my education never stops. A lot of my customers are very different, with industries ranging from agriculture to construction. When I find out something that I don't know much about, I enjoy taking the extra time to become as knowledgeable as I can.

3. What projects are you working on right now?

Kubota has opened a new location in Montvale, and that’s been a big expansion for us. I’ve been building new relationships and doing a lot of cold calling and marketing in the Roanoke, Botetourt, and Craig County areas to help build sales avenues for our newest locations.

4. What do you look forward to working on with the GO Virginia Region 2 council?

It was great attending my first meeting and getting to know other council members and sub-grantees. I enjoyed learning about different avenues that I don’t have experience in and seeing how welcoming everyone was. I look forward to learning a lot as well as bringing my experience to the council.

5. What is your favorite part of living in Region 2?

I love the people, the scenery, and the outdoors opportunities. I’ve been in the Lynchburg region since 1991, and it’s a great area. You’re just a few minutes away from the Blue Ridge Parkway, the National Forest, and Smith Mountain Lake. If you want to go to a big city, we’re not very far from that either. I was born in West Virginia, grew up in southern Maine, and always knew that I was going to come back south. When I applied to colleges, I fell in love with Liberty University.

6. What is the best advice you have ever received?

I’ve been blessed to be surrounded by very successful businessmen and women. Two of my favorite pieces of advice are: “Never judge a book by its cover. Everybody has more of a story than what you see.” and “Under promise and over deliver.”

7. What hobbies and activities do you like to do in your spare time?

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife and two children. I like traveling, hunting, and clay shooting.

8. What are the most memorable places you have ever visited?

I love going to Russia and have been several times. Ireland is also a favorite place to visit. Recently, my wife and I went on a road trip to South Dakota. I went pheasant hunting, and my wife, an avid photographer, enjoyed taking pictures. We went to St. Louis, Kansas City, and Omaha and spent five days in South Dakota, where we visited Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park.