Deborah S. Kent
About Deborah S. Kent
Deborah S. Kent serves as the Chief Human Resources Officer at Malibu Boats, bringing over 20 years of experience in human resources leadership. She has held various roles in the field, including Vice President of Human Resources at Malibu Boats and IdleAire, and has a strong educational background in education and adult continuing education.
Current Role as Chief Human Resources Officer
Deborah S. Kent serves as the Chief Human Resources Officer at Malibu Boats, a position she has held since 2022. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the human resources functions and strategies within the organization. Her leadership is focused on fostering a positive workplace culture and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. She continues to work in Loudon, TN, where she has made significant contributions to the company's HR initiatives.
Previous Experience at Malibu Boats
Prior to her current role, Deborah Kent held multiple positions at Malibu Boats. She served as the Vice President of Human Resources from 2013 to 2022, and as the Director of Human Resources from 2011 to 2013. During her tenure, she played a key role in developing HR policies and practices that supported the company's growth and employee engagement efforts.
Educational Background
Deborah Kent has a strong educational foundation in human resources and education. She earned her Master of Science in Adult/Continuing Education from the University of Central Oklahoma, where she studied from 1992 to 1994. Earlier, she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Education from East Central University, studying from 1984 to 1988. Additionally, she completed her high school education at Byng High School, achieving a diploma in Business Administration, Management, and Operations.
Expertise in Human Resources
Deborah Kent possesses over 20 years of experience in human resources, specializing in strategic leadership and employee relations. Her expertise includes coaching, regulatory compliance, policy development, and fostering trust within organizations. She employs a consultative, customer-driven approach to address HR issues, focusing on team facilitation, training and development, and conflict resolution.
Career History Prior to Malibu Boats
Before joining Malibu Boats, Deborah Kent held various positions in human resources. She worked as the Vice President of Human Resources at IdleAire, Inc from 2009 to 2010 and as the Director of Employment and Employee Relations at IdleAire Technologies from 2004 to 2008. Additionally, she served as the Community Relations Coordinator at Meridian Technology Center from 1989 to 1992. These roles contributed to her extensive experience in HR management.