Milton Resident Finds the Perfect Combination of Interest, Experience and Education

While most people worry about fluctuating gas prices at the pump, Tim Kernan worries more about what happens to the gas underground.

Milton resident Tim Kernan is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of SiteWach Technologies, LLC, which provides information management solutions to the underground storage tank market. His company takes the guesswork out of adhering to state and federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations for industrial companies, fleet operators, government and military facilities, schools and hospitals with their own underground gas or oil tanks and generators.  He’s developed innovative ways to automate the process of collecting data needed to document compliance.  

Kernan explains that he came to this somewhat unusual career in two ways:  “I have been writing software since I was a teenager, coupled with a number of years working in the petroleum industry.” 

While working at a petroleum equipment company, Kernan found that his customers had difficulty spotting potential leaks in their fuel tanks. Kernan solved the problem  by writing software to produce monthly documentation; he even designed some innovative hardware as part of the solution.

“Using our web-based application becomes critical for anyone with more than one location or more than one tank.  For example, if a company owns 50 gas stations, maintaining a database likes ours becomes critical to their operations,” says Kernan.

Kernan’s interest in computers began in high school. He describes himself as “one of a fortunate few” because his high school had a time-sharing connection to Dartmouth College, enabling him to utilize their computers.  While in college at UNH pursuing a degree in forest resource economics, Kernan did a lot of computer programming for simulated forest growth and economic growth.

After graduating from UNH, Kernan directed the Youth Conservation Corps program in the Blue Hills (a now-defunct program which employed high school-age kids in the summer throughout the country). 

Kernan then got a job teaching biology and math at the Park School in Brookline.  Kernan taught for three years, then decided to make a career change, and go back to his first love – programming.  He enrolled in additional programming classes, and was hired as a software developer for Control Data Corporation (CDC), which supplied software programming services to the phone companies.  While working, Kernan enrolled part-time in Babson’s MBA program geared to entrepreneurs. 

After CDC closed their telephone group, Kernan went to work for a petroleum equipment company, as a general manager.

 “As a general manager, I did a little bit of everything, including a lot of sales.  While working in this capacity, I started the nucleus of what was to become SiteWatch Technologies,” says Kernan. “Sometime I want to finish my degree – more for the fun of it now,” says Kernan.

Although SiteWatch Technologies’ website lists Farmington, Maine as the company address, Kernan works from a home office in Milton.  His home happens to be the home that he grew up in. 

That house has a long history:  It’s a New England farmhouse built in 1639.  It burned down in 1748, and was rebuilt right away, but the foundation is still the one from 1639.  Kernan has been a Town Meeting member since the late 80s, and is a strong booster of Milton:  “It has a unique flavor to it; it’s a nice combination of rural feeling and still being able to be in the center of Boston in 10-15 minutes, especially since I spend a lot of time on the road, visiting customer sites,” says Kernan.

Kernan is anticipating hiring for a few positions in the company.  His preference would be to hire candidates who live in Milton, as he’s planning to locate an office in Milton. He anticipates needing both some additional technical people and sales people.  On the technical side, the position will be for a customer service liaison that understands the technology but is also good with people.  The position will involve fieldwork in New England as well as office support.  The ideal candidate for the sales job will be an energetic salesperson who can grasp the industry and can help develop new business.  Some experience in the petroleum industry, while not essential, would be helpful.

If you are interested in either position, e-mail your resume to Kernan at tskernan@e-sitewatch.com.