Rate My Professor Ben Brachle

Ben Brachle serves as Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Industrial Technology in the College of Business and Technology at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where he coordinates the Industrial Distribution program. A native of West Point, Nebraska, he enrolled at UNK in 1998 initially as a graphic design major but switched to industrial distribution following academic challenges and guidance from a professor and friend. He earned a B.S. in Industrial Distribution from UNK, an M.B.A. from Bellevue University, a Transition to Teaching Certification from UNK, and a Ph.D. in Human Sciences from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His professional career began as a Territory Manager for Black & Decker Corporation in Little Rock, Arkansas. Family circumstances prompted his return to Nebraska, leading him to enter education via UNK's Transition to Teaching Program. He taught business and industrial technology at Omaha Public Schools, co-developing one of Nebraska's first transportation, distribution, warehousing, and logistics programs. This work extended to nationwide consulting, federal grants, and partnerships with the Maryland Department of Education and Chicago Public Schools. Brachle also led the Distribution and Logistics Management Career Academy at Millard Public Schools and served as an adjunct instructor at Metropolitan Community College.

At UNK, Brachle progressed from faculty in industrial distribution to a tenure-track position and now chairs the department, overseeing budgets, faculty evaluations, accreditation, student support, and curriculum updates. He teaches courses including Industrial Distribution Branch Operations, Purchasing for Wholesale Distribution, Industrial Distribution Seminar, and Leadership for Business and Technology. The program boasts a 100% graduate placement rate since 1989, with industry demand leading companies to recruit directly from UNK. In 2024, Brachle received the Wayne Klein Teaching Excellence Award alongside Dr. Greg Benson for fostering positive learning environments that emphasize critical thinking, problem-solving, experiential learning, and real-world preparation through his industry background in supply chain management.