“Keith recently helped with a trade union training session where the participants were deeply engaged with what he was sharing. Afterward, he told me it reminded him how much he loves teaching,” said Dan Beal, McElroy’s chairman. “Keith cares deeply about helping his teammates grow. That’s one reason he makes a great vice president. He understands company growth is fueled by individual growth. Building people, departments and the overall company is in his DNA.” On July 8, 2026, Keith Watkins, McElroy’s vice president, achieved 30 years with McElroy’s. We honor Keith for his dedication to lifting up those around him, and for his continuing impact on our company’s success.

From Welding to HVAC

A native of Carbondale, Kansas, Keith played football for the Santa Fe Trail Chargers as a super-fast running back, usually gaining 100 yards or more each game. After graduation, Keith worked for a year as a welder before attending Kaw Area Vo-Tech in the electrical/HVAC program. He learned that HVAC work suited him, earned his certificate, and got a job as an HVAC technician.

Opportunity at McElroy’s

After a couple of years with one company, Keith had an opportunity to work for McElroy’s. “I liked the company I was with,” Keith said, “but I always considered McElroy’s to be the area’s premier company, with better pay and benefits. It was hard to get on board at McElroy’s, so when I had the chance, I switched.” His first five years with McElroy’s, Keith worked in the field as an HVAC technician for residential and commercial customers.

Wealth of Knowledge

in 2001, Keith was asked to be the lead technician in the McElroy’s building automation department. Jason Long was a former McElroy’s employee who returned to join Keith on the team. “Keith has a wealth of knowledge, and I was glad to work with him again,” said Jason, now in sales for McElroy’s commercial HVAC service as well as McElroy Controls. “As a trouble-shooter, Keith picks up on things others don’t. He understands very complex questions and gives clear answers to co-workers and clients. He’s a solid leader, a great teacher and is always willing to help.” In time, Keith became head of the department.

Growing Commercial HVAC Service

In 2005, Dan Beal, McElroy’s chairman, noted Keith’s leadership abilities and asked him to grow the commercial/residential HVAC service department. Ten years later, the commercial side of HVAC service had expanded to the point that Keith needed to focus more closely on his commercial service team – so residential service became a separate department. “Dan Beal has always trusted me to lead my department as if it were my own business,” Keith said. “That level of trust gives people the freedom to be their best.” Today Keith leads 26 talented technicians on the commercial HVAC service team.

Teaching Moments

“You couldn’t ask for a better boss. Keith cares about his team members’ best interests in a very personal way,” said Brent Gordon, commercial HVAC service supervisor. “Every moment is a teaching moment with Keith. When you ask him for help, rather than just give you his answer, he’ll ask questions to help you figure it out. Keith opens up your mind by asking whether you tried this, or considered that. He helps you successfully draw your own conclusions so you end up both smarter and more confident in your own abilities!”

McElroy Controls

In 2024 Keith was sparked by the fresh challenge of re-invigorating the McElroy’s building controls department. “We wanted to master a new, forward-thinking line of controls to offer our customers,” Keith said. “Researching the best options available was exciting, and ASI Controls easily became our top choice. With ASI, I’m confident we can provide excellent controls in any setting.” Keith and his primary controls teammate, Dylan Huninghake, took extensive training in ASI Controls design, installation, programming and service. Positioned for growth with this powerful line in the McElroy’s toolchest, the controls division was named McElroy Controls.

Help and Advice

“Keith’s concern for others doesn’t stop at quitting time,” said Brit Hunsicker, McElroy’s commercial HVAC service sales. “Keith and his wife, Melissa, are very involved with the Morning Star Church in Lawrence, Kansas, where you can regularly find them on Sundays, and in fellowship groups throughout the week. If you show interest, Keith is comfortable inviting you to Sunday service or other events. Reach out to him for personal help or advice, and he’s always willing to do his best for you.”

Family

In his free time, Keith enjoys the outdoors on the acreage he and Melissa own in the Clinton Lake area. Keith likes to bow hunt, especially “hunting elk the hard way” by setting up a remote camp and packing everything in and out. Keith’s son, Layne, is a game warden in Chase and Morris Counties with a new K-9 “partner” – a labrador he is training. Layne and his wife, Peyton, have a daughter, Madelyn, who recently celebrated her first birthday. Keith’s daughter Kaelyn lives in Tonganoxie and is a registered nurse in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. She is engaged to Jacob Iverson, a McLouth police officer.

Spreading Knowledge

“I want to leave as much knowledge behind me as I can,” Keith said. “I would be a failure if I retired someday, and then saw the teams I managed start shrinking. If I’ve built the people around me like I want to, they’ll carry on and never miss me when I’m gone.” On his 30^th McElroy’s anniversary, we honor Keith for being a highly intelligent and extremely experienced leader with whom people want to work. The breadth of his impact has steadily grown as he has built one department after another into smart, hardworking teams. Today, as vice president, his positive influence touches the company as a whole and we appreciate everything he has to teach us!