Kenneth Edward Glass

Kenneth Edward Glass, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on February 7, 2026, at the age of 85. He was born on September 28, 1940, in Ft. Thomas, KY, and lived a life full of love, adventure, and accomplishment.

Ken’s journey began at the University of Cincinnati, where he followed in the footsteps of his parents and earned both a BSME and an MS in Engineering. It was there that he met Nancy Romanek. The two were married in 1964, and together they raised two children: son Ryan and daughter Lara. Ken was deeply proud of his family, and although he was predeceased by his son Ryan and his sister Donna Heindl, he is lovingly remembered by his wife Nancy, his daughter Lara, and his three grandchildren: Evelyn Glass, Julia Nolletti, and Anthony Nolletti.

Ken lived a life full of adventure. He loved to travel and had the chance to live in England for seven years. As a private pilot, he enjoyed flying, but he also found joy in everyday activities like golfing, fishing, hiking, and boating. Ken was always active—he was a competitive swimmer in college and a judo instructor.

Ken began what he liked to call his first career in 1960 with Allis-Chalmers Corporation. Ken advanced progressively at Allis-Chalmers with his last position as Vice President-Operations, Worldwide Construction Machinery. Following Allis-Chalmers Ken went on to hold positions as Vice President-Manufacturing for Fiat-Allis Construction Machinery Inc, President Perkins Diesel Corporation, President and CEO Massey-Ferguson US and Chairman President and CEO UNIMET Corporation.

After 20 years of life in large public companies where Ken earned a reputation as the guy you needed to fix a struggling operation, Ken decided it was time he started working for himself. In 1985, starting off by himself with a fax machine in the office in his house, Ken launched Glass & Associates, a turnaround consulting firm. In just 10 years Ken was able to grow that home office into an industry leader with over 50 professionals. Ken was a founding member of the Turnaround Management Association (TMA) and Glass & Associates became a perennial leader and top-rated firm in the industry. Under Ken’s leadership the firm completed over 500 cases and was a 4-time recipient of the TMA Turnaround of the Year Award.

After 10 years of turning around companies for others, Ken “retired” and decided to start doing turnarounds for himself. In 1995 he and Nancy moved to Asheville, NC and he launched the Stony Point Group and his third and final career. This career began with the purchase of Utica Corporation in Utica NY in 1995. Purchased while the business was on strike and nearing liquidation, Ken acquired the company, settled the strike, invested in the business and quickly restored it to profitability. Over the next 25 years Ken would add on 6 more acquisitions with 20 locations in the US and Canada.

Throughout each of Ken’s three careers, Ken found success built on honesty, integrity, fairness and an unending focus on his customers, his markets, advanced manufacturing technologies and continuous improvement. Ken was also extremely generous with the fruits of his labor, establishing the Glass Foundation – one of Western North Carolina’s larges charitable foundations. There are hundreds of past colleagues who worked with or for Ken over the years that credit Ken for developing their careers and their approach to doing business. Today Ken’s legacy lives on through the Glass Foundation, Stony Point Group, its past and current portfolio companies and all the lives Ken has touched. Ken’s legacy is one of warmth, generosity, and a deep love for those around him. His presence in the lives of those who knew him will be greatly missed, but his memory will forever remain in the hearts of his family and friends.

A celebration of life will be held later at The Country Club of Asheville.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Vest Family Camp Watia Fund at www.ymcawnc.org/Glass.

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.