Speakers

As the CEO of West Ohio Tool Co., Kaci King brings a lifelong passion for manufacturing and the cutting tool industry as a second-generation owner. Recently celebrating 28 years with the company, her journey spans from serving as the business’s first delivery driver and  customer service representative, to CFO, earning the company's first registered trademark,  and ultimately becoming CEO and owner. 
Kaci and her husband Rea took charge in early 2020, steering the business toward highimpact, value-driven growth. Drawing on her auditing and accounting expertise, she  transformed the strategy from competing on price to delivering engineering excellence, Total Cost of Ownership, and true cost-per-hole, an idea created by Kerry, the founder and father of Kaci.

This commitment to "out of the box thinking" and a human-centric supply chain fostered the innovation of their proprietary EDGEX4® drill. By running 3 to 5 times faster than standard carbide and achieving the "Million-Hole Standard," the EDGEX4® has created massive success and savings for their customers, surpassing record sales in 2025. 

Under Kaci’s leadership, West Ohio Tool Co. evolved from a regional shop into a highly secure, nationally recognized defense partner. She secured key certifications (WOSB via WBENC, ISO9001:2015, AS9100D, CMMC Level 2, ITAR) enabling DoD contracts and expansion into space manufacturing. This drive has earned multiple local, regional, and national awards, including recognitions from Inc. and Ohio Business Magazine. 

Kaci uses business growth to drive community impact. She instituted up to two paid 
volunteer days per year for her team, tying charitable efforts to production. This approach has resulted in over 18,000 meals donated to Feeding America and support for the Second Harvest Food Bank. Her and her daughter, Madi’s, "Wardrobe Wranglin'" initiative has raised over $18,000 for Make-A-Wish, funding wishes for Ohio children. 

Mrs. King is a Logan County, Ohio native, author of Light Will Emerge that journals her children’s medical journey and advocacy. She holds a bachelor’s from the University of Findlay and integrates family deeply (Madi, Tristan and Austin) into her business and cow/calf farm. When not leading the company, she travels globally, enjoys wildlife photography, water activities, gardening, and dog training.