Something said during that speech changed the trajectory of the Fort Dodge man’s career.

He recalled that the state Supreme Court justice giving the address said something that really hit home for him. That justice, he said, attributed so many of the problems in the state and nation to the breakdown of families.

Kersten pondered those words. Then the Republican lawmaker decided not to seek a second term in the state Senate. He set aside the potential for a long Senate career or even higher office to spend more time with his family in his hometown.

“It was a very tough decision,” Kersten said. “I just made the right choice for my family.”

And while he left the Senate, he did not lose his knack for working the political system to help Fort Dodge.

Kersten “has spent decades building extensive relationships across the local, state and national levels to advocate for policies and resources to benefit the greater Fort Dodge region, and has leveraged those deep connections and expertise to drive conversations that have brought millions of dollars in state and federal funding for local initiatives,” Vickie Reeck, the former community and economic development manager for the city of Fort Dodge, said in February before presenting him with the Catalyst Award from the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance.

“These efforts have been especially impactful in advancing infrastructure, workforce training programs, economic development initiatives and the growth of Iowa Central Community College,” Reeck added.

His most visible role has been as vice president of government affairs and external relations for Iowa Central Community College. There, he has helped the college get the support and funding for the Fuel Testing Lab and other major initiatives.

“His efforts have played a pivotal role in transforming Iowa Central into one of the most successful community colleges in the state,” Reeck said. “Among others, his most recent accomplishment includes assisting in the design and construction of the Iowa Fuel Testing Laboratory at Iowa Central, which serves as the only independent testing facility in the nation, a project that was made possible due to his perseverance and his ability to secure state funding.”

Kersten has been a member of several state panels, including the Board of Corrections, Governor’s 2020 Transportation Commission, Judicial Nominating Commission and the Iowa Lottery Board of Directors.

He has also been a member of the Iowa Association of Community College Trustees.

Closer to home, he has served on the Friendship Haven board, Ringland-Smeltzer board, Sacred Heart