“Craig Tenbrink was a rural kid, like me. Our families knew each other, growing up in the Mission Valley district,” said Kim Davidson, McElroy’s customer service rep. “In the country, kids learn to figure things out on their own. Craig is a natural problem solver. He doesn’t just fix a leaky pipe. He figures out why it started leaking, and goes to the root of the problem. Our customers and team all love that about him.” Craig Tenbrink, plumbing service consultant, celebrates 10 years with McElroy’s on December 5, 2025. We appreciate Craig for his extensive plumbing experience, his solutions-based approach, and his friendly attitude.

Work With His Hands

Craig grew up amid multi-generational family ranches around Harveyville, Kansas. He has always enjoyed working with his hands. In addition to helping with cattle and hay operations, Craig worked in summertime construction during high school and college. He did shovel work, pulled wire, framed houses and more. After graduation from Allen County Community College, where he played center on the basketball team, Craig went to work for Custom Wood Products in St. Marys. “I was a truck driver there for five years – loading, delivering to residences, and unloading,” Craig said. “After my son, Hunter, was born in 2007, I started operating custom applicators for Harveyville Seed Company. Working closer to home gave me more family time.”

Opportunities in Plumbing

After Craig’s daughter, Harlie, was born in 2010, Craig wanted better pay, benefits and growth opportunities to support his growing family. “Back when I was framing houses, I saw what the plumbing guys did. That appealed to me, so I joined Plumbers & Pipefitters Union Local 411,” Craig said. “In May 2013, I started at McElroy’s. Later, as a fifth-year apprentice, McElroy’s put me in a company van and I did a lot of work at Reser’s Fine Foods. Before long I started running work, including projects at the Veterans’ Administration, and Osage City High School.”

Try a Change

After about eight years with McElroy’s, Craig thought he’d try a change and went to work for a different contractor. “Looking back, it was an experience I learned from, so it’s just as well,” Craig said. “The work was good and I had success with it. But that company made me feel like a number – not a valued individual. I changed to another employer and things turned even worse.” At that moment, Scott Schneider, McElroy’s commercial project supervisor, called Craig to say hello and see how he was getting along. “I told Scott I was finished where I was, and McElroy’s put me right back onto the team!”

Back to McElroy’s

“The first time Craig joined McElroy’s he was my apprentice. He was in his early 30s and already knew his way around tools and a job site. He caught on to plumbing quickly,” said Scott Schneider. “Being a country guy, he knows the value of working hard, so it was great to get him back. He jumped right into running commercial construction projects again. Craig gets along great with commercial customers and their maintenance teams. When the McElroy’s plumbing service consultant position opened up, I was glad to see him apply for the job. When a project fits the service side better than our construction division, I trust Craig to know our customers’ expectations and give it his best quality control.”

Plumbing Service Consultant

In September 2024, Rendy Habiger, long-time McElroy’s plumbing service consultant, had given his one-year notice for his retirement. With Scott’s encouragement, Craig put his name in for consideration. “I’d never worked on the service side, but I know plumbing and I can work well with just about anybody,” Craig said. “I’m glad I was the candidate who was chosen.” Craig worked alongside Rendy for a year and became familiar with the plumbing service team, the processes and the customers. In October of 2025 he was ready to take the reins.

They Call Back

“Craig stepped in well. First and foremost, he’s a plumber. He’s seen all the aspects of plumbing repairs, replacements and upgrades,” said Luke Dumler, McElroy’s plumbing service manager. “Craig is a problem solver who communicates well. He gives customers confidence that he understands their needs, and can manage the team to get the right things done. Whether he’s working with homeowners who’ve been customers for decades, commercial clients he met through his construction plumbing, or someone new who just called in – people like working with Craig. They keep calling back. And that keeps our team working.”

Family

On his own time, Craig runs a cow/calf operation on his 120-acre ranch near Harveyville. His son, Hunter, is 18 and a freshman at Hutchinson Community College where he’s studying to be a mechanical engineer. Daughter, Harlie, age 15, is a sophomore at Osage City High School where she’s a shooting guard for the basketball team. Craig’s parents, Jay and Chris, are still farming, and Chris, who retired from the post office, works for the Harveyville city clerk. Craig’s younger sister, Jenna, is a dental hygienist, and helps with family farming. Younger brother, Jerrod, is also nearby, living in Auburn and working as a lineman.

Calm and Competent

“Every day is something different. I work with lots of interesting people in a variety of situations, and I enjoy figuring out what’s best for every challenge,” said Craig. Solving challenges has been an essential aspect of Craig Tenbrink’s character since his rural childhood. His ability to do so in a calm and competent way has made him a favorite among plumbing customers and the plumbing service team. We’re glad Craig has put together 10 great years with McElroy’s and we hope to see him extend his tenure with us well into the future!