28 Apr Employee Highlight: Kevin Bobbitt

From Asphalt to Asphalt: How a Bike, a Cause, and a Culture Shifted Kevin Bobbitt’s Life

Kevin Bobbitt didn’t start his career in packaging and he didn’t plan to either.

His story winds through freight docks, construction jobs, coast-to-coast relocations, and eventually a road bike that would change his entire outlook on life and purpose.

He’s not flashy, and he’s not loud. But ask anyone who knows him, and they’ll tell you Kevin is one of the most driven people you’ll ever meet. And that drive? It started with a question from a neighbor.

“I was cutting grass, and this guy walks over and says, ‘You want a job loading trucks at night?’”

Kevin was 16. The pay was nearly double what he made working for his dad in construction. He went for it—and never looked back.

What followed was a 20+ year journey in the trucking and logistics industry. From casual dock laborer to manager in cities like Austin, Nashville, Memphis, and Tampa, Kevin climbed the ranks with grit and consistency. He even ran operations for an ocean carrier in Miami before eventually shifting into the world of packaging.

“It wasn’t planned. A friend handed me a phone at a barbecue, and I found myself interviewing for a role in packaging. Didn’t think I’d get it. Didn’t even know it would turn into a career.”

But it did.

And Kevin brought with him something most packaging pros don’t have: a deep understanding of freight, density, and distribution strategy. He could see the full picture, and this has benefited him greatly in his career.

 

Riding with Purpose

If you want to understand what drives Kevin Bobbitt, look no further than the pedals under his feet.

It started in 2013 with a phone call and a challenge: Kevin’s best friend, whose two kids have type 1 diabetes, asked him to ride 100 miles for a fundraising event. Kevin didn’t own a bike. He wasn’t in shape. But he said yes anyway.

“I started with a couch to 5K, then moved to a 10K, then a half marathon. Bought a cheap bike off Craigslist and started riding.”

What began as a favor for a friend became a passion—and an obsession. Fifteen years later, Kevin has ridden in 15+ century rides and raised more than $70,000 for diabetes research. His medals? There are 50–60 of them hanging on the wall—constant reminders of miles earned and people helped.

“I ride because I can. I don’t have to check my blood sugar. I don’t have to measure my food. I just eat when I’m hungry. People with Type 1 diabetes don’t have that luxury.”

That thought is what drives him through the hardest moments. Training for a 100-mile ride isn’t easy. Kevin has had moments where he called his wife mid-ride, asking her to pick him up because he couldn’t finish. But he always found a way back on the bike.

“If you can make it to 80, you can make it to 100. The last 20 miles is just reminding yourself why you’re doing this.”

Kevin doesn’t consider himself particularly athletic or gifted. What he does have is discipline, structure, and a relentless will to push through.

“I’m just a monkey on a bike. I’m not fast. I’m not special. I’m just stubborn. Cycling doesn’t take great athletic talent—it takes time and discipline. That’s it.”

Today, nearly 90% of Kevin’s inner circle has type 1 diabetes or a direct connection.

The cause has shaped his community, his schedule, even his mindset. The rides keep him healthy and mentally grounded, but more than anything—they keep him connected to a deeper purpose.

“My dad always said, ‘Tell Kevin he can’t do something—and he’ll do it.’ That’s true. But the real fuel behind it all is having a reason. Everyone needs a purpose. Once you figure that out, it changes everything.”

For Kevin, that purpose rides beside him on every climb, every training mile, every finish line.

Packaging and cycling might seem worlds apart but the skills that fuel Kevin’s success in both are the same: discipline, consistency, and a deep sense of purpose. Whether he’s pedaling up a mountain or helping a customer solve a packaging challenge, Kevin brings the same grit and focus to every mile and every meeting. He’s not chasing medals or commissions. He’s chasing impact. And at TK Supplies, that kind of heart is exactly what keeps the wheels turning.

Joining TK Supplies

Kevin’s career brought him into contact with TK Supplies years before he ever worked here. As a vendor to his previous company, TK stood out. The culture was different. The leadership was real. When the timing was finally right, Kevin made the jump.

“I came from private equity, layers of red tape. But at TK, the owners know your name. They text you back. They actually listen. That’s rare.”

What pulled Kevin in wasn’t just opportunity—it was culture. TK was family-owned, and it felt like it. You weren’t a number. You had a voice. And after a few conversations with Jeff Edwards, CEO, and Steve Rowland, COO, Kevin could tell—this wasn’t just lip service.

“You could see it immediately. Jeff and Steve respected each other. They played off each other’s strengths. You don’t fake that kind of trust.”

They joked that million-dollar decisions could be made over text and it didn’t feel like a joke. It felt like freedom. Flexibility. Confidence. And that was what Kevin was looking for.

From day one, Kevin brought the same relationship-first approach he’s used his whole career: slow, honest, and patient.

“That’s how it works. Build trust first—business follows.”

For Kevin, the most powerful part of TK’s culture is its simplicity. There’s no corporate maze. No inflated promises.

“If we don’t have it, just ask. We’ll figure it out together. We don’t overcomplicate things, we just take care of people.”

He’s not afraid to tell a customer, “We’re not the right fit,” if that’s the truth. But if TK can help—and do it well—Kevin’s all in.

“We’re not here to halfway do anything. If we go into a market, we want to be the best at it.”

That kind of thinking isn’t reactionary—it’s deliberate. Every initiative, every opportunity, every customer—Kevin has thought it through. And if he’s bringing an idea forward, it’s because he believes it will work.

“Every boss I’ve had knows if I’m pitching something, it makes sense. We’re going to make money. I’ve already run the numbers in my head.”

It’s not flash. It’s not hype. It’s trust, logic, and a whole lot of quiet consistency. And that fits TK just right.

What He Brings to the Table

Kevin’s expertise isn’t limited to one product line, it’s rooted in understanding the industries behind them. With a deep background in freight, operations, and packaging, he brings a strategic lens to every conversation. He knows how to help businesses scale the right way, with the right packaging.

He’s a go-to resource in:

• Paints & coatings
• Industrial chemicals
• Food & beverage
• Glass and steel packaging
• Dairy & tinplate

 

“I don’t chase low-volume business. I want to help companies grow and scale with the right packaging strategy. And at TK, we can do that because we keep it simple. If you need something—Ask TK. We’ll figure it out.”

Kevin’s promise is simple: he may not have every answer right away but he’ll get it. Fast. His personal commitment? Every customer gets a response within hours. No ghosting. No runaround. Just real answers, real fast.

Go ahead—send him a message. See how quickly he gets back to you.

The Heart Behind the Hustle

Kevin’s not in it for the glory. He’s in it for purpose.

Whether he’s coaching riders at the back of the pack, fielding customer calls, or quietly grinding out million-dollar accounts, Kevin shows up.

He rides for a cause. He works with conviction. He believes in structure, in service, and in showing up—day after day.

“Everybody needs a purpose. For me, it’s cycling, music, and my family. If I can make life easier for my customers along the way—I’m doing something right.”