Kent resides in Grand Forks, ND.  He was a competitor for St. Cloud State University from 1974-1975, coached at the University of North Dakota as an Assistant Coach from 1977-83 and Head Coach/Advisor from 1983-1989 & 1994.  In 1980 he served as Student President for the National SAFECON.  He has been a National SAFECON Faculty Advisor while UND hosted in 1989, 2001, 2003.  Kent has served as a judge since 1990, a NIFA Council Member from 1985-2012 and was given Council Member Emeritus status in 2016.

Professionally, Kent is currently a Professor and Director of Industry Relations, Dept. of Aviation UND.  He holds ATP-MEL, Commercial SEL, CFI, CFII, and MEI certificates and is type rated in the CE500.  Kent is the deserving recipient of a multitude of awards, including:  the UAA Wheatley Award - 1992, NIFA Outstanding Coach of the Year - 1986 & 1989, NIFA National Championship 1984,1985,1986,1988,1989, & 1994, the NIFA Founder’s Award - 2014, Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) Chairman’s Award - 2014, and the Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor Award for Excellence in Teaching, Research and Service (highest academic award given at UND). He has given several professional presentations and authored articles on pilot supply, served on various committees of the National Business AvIation Association(NBAA) from 2001 - present, served on the FAA ACS Working Group and the ACS Exam Board 2012 - present. 

Kent and his wonderful wife have gone on 33 cruises to various locations around the world. His avocation is military history and he has visited and studied 30+ battlefields around the world. He has conducted a few civil war battlefield tours with colleagues and alumni.