“What ultimately drew me in was the problem-solving and the tangible impact of the work,” Kittson said.

For more than 70 years, KIE Supply has supported her family, its employees and the communities it serves. That history made joining the company about more than choosing a career.

“The opportunity to preserve what the company has meant to so many people while helping shape its future felt both meaningful and worthwhile,” she said.

Kittson sees that impact throughout her community, particularly when she passes a building or jobsite supplied by KIE.

“Much of what we supply ultimately ends up behind walls or underground, but it is absolutely essential to how homes, businesses, and communities function,” she said.

That sense of responsibility also shapes how Kittson approaches leadership. She's motivated by strengthening the business, creating opportunities for employees, and ensuring KIE remains independent and successful for another generation.

Stepping into the role of president has been her proudest professional milestone; not because of the title, but because of what it represents.

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“As a third-generation leader, I understood that my role was not simply to preserve what previous generations had built,” Kittson said. “I also needed to earn the trust of our employees and customers, make difficult decisions, and position KIE to remain independent and successful for the future.”

Kittson also sees significant opportunities ahead for other young professionals as longtime industry veterans retire.

“It may not be the most glamorous field, but it is essential, resilient, and will always be needed,” she said.

Outside the business, Kittson has another talent: She holds a degree in music and has performed as a violist with several professional symphony orchestras.