Greg W. Kahlert, Doctor of Public Service

Greg W. Kahlert and his wife, Roberta, are local philanthropists who have lived in Sykesville, Maryland, for almost 20 years. During this time, they have woven themselves into the fabric of the community, including volunteer work at the Maryland Food Bank and Carroll County Food Sunday. In 2019, Kahlert’s work in the county was recognized when he was selected as Carroll Magazine’s Person of the Year.

While in college, Kahlert was a tennis pro at a local swim and tennis club. After graduating from Valparaiso University in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in business, he worked at Evapco, Inc., for almost 30 years, retiring as the vice president of the sales and marketing department. Evapco, Inc. was co-founded by Kahlert’s father, William “Bill” Kahlert, in 1976 and is now a worldwide manufacturer of evaporative cooling products headquartered in Taneytown, Maryland.

In 1991, Bill Kahlert established The Kahlert Foundation with the desire to make a difference in the communities where he lived and worked. In 2012, Greg Kahlert retired from Evapco and continued his father’s legacy as the president of The Kahlert Foundation.

Today, the Kahlert Foundation provides millions of dollars in funding to charities in Maryland, Utah, and parts of the Mid-Atlantic. Named the Association of Fundraising Professionals Maryland Chapter 2017 Outstanding Foundation of the Year, the Kahlert Foundation’s current annual grant budget makes it one of the largest private foundations in Maryland and Utah.

The impact of the Kahlert Foundation in Maryland is profound, supporting numerous nonprofits that fall within the foundation’s core focus areas of education, healthcare, youth, veterans, and human services. This includes McDaniel College and Carroll Community College, where Kahlert serves on the board of trustees. He not only provides critical philanthropic dollars but is actively involved in helping each organization thrive and grow. He regularly visits and meets with many charities to get to know the people and places he is supporting and to learn what else is needed.

The Kahlert Foundation continues to be a family effort. His wife, Roberta, and their son, Scott, are active on the foundation’s board of directors. Scott is also the first third-generation employee at Evapco, while Greg’s daughter, Heather, is building a philanthropic legacy in Utah through her support there.

Kahlert enjoys time with his family, traveling, playing tennis and golf, and reading.