Karen and Chuck Kern are both from Long Island, New Jersey. Chuck went on to earn a bachelor’s in electrical engineering from SUNY Maritime in the Bronx; after, he earned a master's of analysis from the Airforce Institute of Technology. After eight years in the Air Force and 23 years as a financial consultant, he wanted a career shift. At the age of 52, Chuck went back to school at the University of North Carolina Greensboro to earn a degree in accounting and now works for the Department of Treasury as a retirement program auditor.

 

Karen earned a bachelor’s in history from the University of Alabama, Birmingham, and a master’s in counseling from North Carolina AMT State University. She spent 10 years with MTV “back when it was cool,” but then shifted her career to behavioral therapy. She is no longer a practicing therapist but is now the senior director of strategic communications for Alliance Health.

 

Their daughter, Madeline, is a graduate of Elon University. She spent a few years out in the workforce but decided to follow her lifelong dream of attending law school. She went back to her alma mater and is currently in her first year at Elon Law.

 

The Kerns currently have five pets in their home: Bernice, a tough tabby cat; Doug, a tuxedo cat; Stewie, their 12-year-old Siamese mix whom they’ve had since she was 6 weeks old; Roger, their long-haired rescue dachshund; and Blubby, the gray tabby.

 

“We feel strongly that it is important to rescue a fur baby,” Karen says. “There are so many beautiful animals in this world who need homes.”

 

 

Every year, the Kern family spends Thanksgiving with their family and takes at least one family vacation together. They also regularly head to Manhattan to visit Karen’s family.

 

“We recently went on a cruise to the Greek Isles, which was definitely one of our favorite vacations,” Chuck says. “We also love any Caribbean island that you can take a ship to.”

 

Madeline and Karen take a girls' trip to Key West with Karen’s sisters, and Chuck is happy anywhere that has a golf course!

  

All three Kerns enjoy hiking and biking. Karen is an avid reader, and Chuck loves to golf. Madeline has put most of her hobbies on the back burner, as she spends 24/7 studying!

 

 

Their home in Sedgefield is rather special, as the family’s friend, Caren Standen, helped them find it.

 

“She knew that we had thought about selling our house a few times over the recent years and my name and address to her. The woman put a letter in my mailbox, and we sold the house within three weeks,” Karen shares. “We were renting a house across town while we were looking for a new house when Karen overheard somebody at the club saying that they knew someone who was thinking of putting their house up on the fourth Fairway. She immediately texted me, and my husband quickly got in touch with the owners. We made an offer on this house the next week.”

 

They love their community and that they get to grow up alongside their friends and loved ones in the years to come.

 

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Restaurants: Green Valley Grill, Print Works Bistro, Thai Basil and La Hacienda

Hangout Spot: Walks on the golf course.

Sports Teams: New York Jets, Giants and Yankees

Music: Elvis Presley, Taylor Swift, soft rock and indie

T.V. Shows: Ali McBeal and Game of Thrones

Community Involvement: Guilford County Animal Shelter, Juliet’s House and Red Dog Farm