Star City Six: Keith McRoberts
Star City Heating & Cooling offers a full range of quality products and services performed by a team of industry professionals who are experts in their trade. Keith McRoberts is the co-owner of Star City Heating & Cooling (starcityair.com).
Tell us a little about your business.
We serve both residential and commercial customers. For commercial properties, we provide full-service maintenance plans for HVAC and refrigeration equipment and also do a lot of design-build remodel work for heating, cooling, and ventilation systems. On the residential side, we perform installation of equipment and have a great VIP maintenance plan. Of course, we repair all makes and models of equipment also. We focus on going above and beyond to deliver solutions for every problem and concern.
How did you get started in the business?
Over 20 years ago in high school, a friend of mine, Steve Schwaller, got me a job as a shop hand and learned as I went. Along with field training, I took classes at SCC and attended an endless number of seminars and educational programs. I tested for and received a North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certification when I was 20, and got my contractor’s license shortly afterward. Ten years later I became business partners with one of the original owners and one of the best technicians I have ever met, Don Richardson.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?
Consistently implementing my plans and ideas.
What has been your most important achievement professionally?
Building great relationships with admirable business owners and managers.
Tell us a little about your family.
I have three kids. My oldest son Wyatt is working on his Eagle Scout designation, my step-daughter Maya has a passion for singing and is working hard to land a spot on the East High School show choir for her freshman year, and my youngest Essek is having fun with Cub Scouts and YMCA football. My wife Angela helps with various support roles on the Star City team, as well as holding our family together.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?
Escape reality and fly away…literally. I have a Class A skydiving license and recently earned my private pilot certificate.
What are you the most proud of?
My family first, but also the team of professionals I’m surrounded by every day.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Be willing to help people who are trying to help themselves.
What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why?
Christian Heritage, because we believe in the work they are doing in our community and the impact it has on the lives of youth in foster care. Star City organized and sponsored a community books and bikes drive a couple years ago and have been consistently supporting the organization ever since. I highly suggest that you take a 101 tour if you haven’t already.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read?
Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson. I even passed it along to all of my team members.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?
We’d love to meet you and talk about how Star City can help you improve your company’s indoor air quality or create more efficient systems. Give us a call anytime between 7:30-4 Monday through Friday at (402) 464-7827 (STAR) or shoot us an email at office@starcityair.com. You can also check out our website at starcityair.com to find lots of useful information about our products and services.