Dr. Keith Fernsler received his BA and MA in sociology from Indiana University, and his Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Montana. Dr. Fernsler taught at four different universities for over thirty years, and he is now Professor Emeritus at Dickinson State University. His academic specializations are in criminology, deviant behavior, and research methods.

Dr. Fernsler began his association with DLN Consulting, Inc., in 1998, when Deb Nelson, President of the company, asked if he would join her in seeking the contract for the North Dakota survey of seat belt use. He has worked on that survey since 1999. He also works on the Wyoming seat belt use survey and a variety of other research projects as needs arise. He works with the research team to meet the challenges that come with each new contract and report. The team produced a major redesign of the North Dakota seat belt survey methodology in 2001, and developed the Wyoming seat belt survey methodology in 2006.

Now that he is retired from teaching, Dr. Fernsler can devote more time to projects at DLN, Inc. In addition, he continues to be active in his profession and the community.