Stellar Hires Local Expert to Lead Operations at Growing Ohio Facility

11.05.26

Garner, Iowa — Stellar Industries, a 100% employee-owned and -operated manufacturer of high-quality work trucks, trailers and service truck and van accessories, is pleased to welcome Branden Keener as Plant Manager for its expanding Galion, Ohio, location. In this role, Keener will direct daily operations at the Galion facility, spearhead process optimizations and drive continuous improvement to ensure teams have the resources needed to exceed customer expectations and meaningfully contribute to Stellar’s overall growth. 

Keener grew up in Bucyrus, Ohio, and is thrilled to return to his roots to drive a lasting, positive economic and professional impact on the region. He earned a bachelor’s degree in management from the University of Maine at Presque Isle and is currently pursuing his MBA through Youngstown State University. He brings more than 11 years of deep industrial experience to the role, having most recently served as plant manager at Union Tank Car Company in the railroad industry. 

In his previous position, he successfully led a high-capacity railcar repair facility with over 225 employees, managing operations, quality, financial performance and strategic growth initiatives. His daily leadership focused heavily on maximizing operational efficiency, developing workforce talent and cultivating continuous improvement — expertise he is excited to leverage in his new role at Stellar. 

“I believe the foundation of any successful team is its people,” said Keener. “I’m excited to learn from the experience of the professionals here and build on the pride they take in their work.” 

Outside of his professional life, Keener enjoys spending time with his wife and three children. His hobbies include playing music, golfing and hunting. 

Connect with the Stellar team today or learn more about career opportunities in Galion.