Employee Appreciation Archives - Kenton Brothers Systems for Security

Kenton Brothers Chili Cook-Off: Back Home and Bringing the Heat!

December 22, 2025/in Company Culture, Employee Appreciation/by Gina Stuelke

By Gina Stuelke, CEO of Kenton Brothers

After 16 long weeks of working remotely following the July 2025 flood, the Kenton Brothers Systems for Security team is finally back where we belong — inside our newly renovated, stronger-than-ever headquarters at 3401 East Truman Road! And what better way to celebrate our homecoming than with one of our favorite KB traditions — the Annual Chili Cook-Off!

The smell of simmering chili, roasted peppers, and bragging rights filled the air as teams fired up their secret recipes. From “Five-Alarm Fury” to “Sweet Heat Surprise,” every pot had its own personality — much like the folks who made them!

Between tasting rounds, laughter echoed through the hallways as teammates reunited in person, sharing stories from our flood recovery adventure. The shiny new floors and refreshed workspaces served as a reminder of resilience, teamwork, and the KB spirit that doesn’t back down — even when the water rises.

And the winner is…

Of course, no chili cook-off is complete without fierce competition and friendly trash talk. Diners took their jobs seriously, sampling each entry with precision (and maybe a few antacids). In the end, only one chili claimed the coveted title of “KB Chili Champion 2025” — Neal Bellamy! But honestly, everyone won just by being together again under one roof.

Here’s to a fresh start, spicy traditions, and a team that always comes back stronger.

Welcome home, KB family — and pass the cornbread! 🌶️🏆

Rising in the Flood: How Kenton Brothers Came Together in a Moment of Need

August 27, 2025/in Company Culture, Employee Appreciation/by David Strickland

By David Strickland, COO of Kenton Brothers

At 3:30 a.m., the alarms went off at our Kansas City headquarters. A devastating storm had hit the area, and water was pouring into our warehouse. Within minutes, equipment and supplies were floating across the floor.

Moments like this test more than buildings, they test people.

Kenton Brothers doesn’t get “days off.” Our customers include universities, hospitals, government facilities, and businesses. They depend on us to be ready no matter what. That night, our Critical Emergency Response Plan gave us the playbook, but it was our team that brought it to life.

From the first call to SERVPRO at 4:00 a.m., to crews pumping water by sunrise, every part of the Kenton Brothers family was already in motion. Maintenance, IT, leadership, and operations worked side by side—protecting servers, rerouting communications, moving equipment, and safeguarding client systems.

By the time most of Kansas City was waking up to the storm, our people were already adjusting, hitting the ground running, and keeping our customers’ systems online, focused on our mission. That’s who we are. We serve critical environments where failure isn’t an option, and our mission is clear: to protect people, property, and possessions.

In the middle of a flood, our team lived that mission.

What could have been a setback became proof of resilience, teamwork, and purpose. Plans gave us structure, but our people gave us strength. And because of them, Kenton Brothers continued to deliver—no matter the storm.

To every member of the Kenton Brothers team: IT, operations, sales, leadership, and field staff—thank you. Your quick action, calm under pressure, and unwavering commitment ensured we stayed true to our mission.

You didn’t just respond to a flood. You proved once again that our strength is in our people.

A Thanksgiving to Remember: Potluck Lunch at Our 127-Year-Old Security Company

December 4, 2024/in Employee Appreciation/by Gina Stuelke

By Gina Stuelke, CEO of Kenton Brothers

Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, community, and, of course, great food. This year, our 127-year-old security company took those values to heart by organizing a Thanksgiving potluck lunch that was as heartwarming as it was delicious.

A Legacy of Togetherness

For over a century, our company has been about more than just security—we’re a family. While our day-to-day focus is on protecting our clients, events like these remind us to pause and celebrate the strong bonds within our team. This Thanksgiving potluck was no exception, bringing employees from every department together for an afternoon of camaraderie and connection.

A Feast to Remember

The office buzzed with excitement as the lunch hour approached. Tables were lined with dishes representing a mix of traditional Thanksgiving favorites and diverse flavors from our employees’ family backgrounds.

Gobble Gobble: Our delicious turkeys came from our friends at Cosentino’s markets
Classic Favorites: The stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce took center stage, lovingly prepared by team members who proudly shared their family recipes.
Sweet Endings: No Thanksgiving is complete without dessert. From pumpkin pies to apple pie, gooey butter cake and Reece’s filled peanut butter cookies, the dessert table was a sweet tooth’s paradise.

This company has stood strong for 127 years because of the people in our organization. This time is about giving thanks—for each other, for our shared mission, and for the community we’ve built.

Here’s to another year of growth, gratitude, and success—and to 127 more years of shared meals, shared stories, and shared purpose.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Kenton Brothers!

Spooky Spoons and Fiery Brews: Our Epic Halloween Chili Cook-Off!

November 13, 2024/in Company Culture, Employee Appreciation/by Gina Stuelke

By Gina Stuelke, CEO of Kenton Brothers

This year’s annual chili cook-off was anything but ordinary—it was haunted! Combining the flavors of fall with all things spooky, we threw the ultimate Halloween and chili contest mashup!

The Chili Line-Up: Scary Spices and Boo-tiful Brews

This year held a record with 9 entries. From classic Texas-style beef chili to adventurous white bean chicken, barbequed brisket, and black bean blends, there was a cauldron for every tastebud. The stakes were high with a vote for the CROWD Favorite!

Winners and Frights

As the lunch wore on and the votes were tallied, the winner was revealed! Shawn Hamilton was the first place winner with chili spiked with secret ingredients like bacon, sugar, a dash of smoke and a whole lot of comeback sauce! Shawn said, ”I made it with love!”

Until Next Year…

This Halloween chili cook-off was a haunting success, and it’s safe to say it set a new standard for both chili and Halloween events. See you next Halloween… if you dare!

The 3rd Annual Mac-N-Cheese Contest. We have a winner!

October 16, 2024/in Company Culture, Employee Appreciation/by Gina Stuelke

By Gina Stuelke, CEO of Kenton Brothers

We have a social team here at Kenton Brothers called the KB Kulture Club. Their goal is to organize fun ways for our staff to spend time together throughout the year. Recently, the KB Kulture Club organized our annual macaroni and cheese contest. We had a record breaking 7 entries!

You might be thinking, “What are the top 10 considerations when judging a Mac-N-Cheese contest?” In a macaroni and cheese contest, several key factors contribute to the perfect dish. So here is the list!

Top 10 important and interesting Mac-N-Cheese considerations:

1. Cheese Blend

Importance: The cheese is the heart of the dish, so selecting the right blend is crucial. Common cheeses include cheddar, Gruyère, Parmesan, or mozzarella.
Interest: Unique combinations of cheeses, or even the use of smoked or aged cheeses, can stand out and add depth to the flavor.

2. Creaminess vs. Crust

Importance: The texture balance between a creamy sauce and a well-baked crust (if baked) is vital. Too dry or too soupy can ruin the experience.
Interest: Adding a crispy, flavorful topping, such as breadcrumbs, crushed crackers, or bacon bits, can enhance the dish.

3. Pasta Choice

Importance: The type of pasta affects the overall texture and the ability to hold sauce. Elbow macaroni is classic, but cavatappi, shells, or even unconventional shapes like orecchiette can be fun.
Interest: Creative pasta shapes or using fresh, homemade pasta can set a dish apart in terms of both texture and presentation.

4. Flavor Enhancements

Importance: Balancing the richness of the cheese with spices, herbs, or other flavoring agents like mustard powder or nutmeg can elevate the dish.
Interest: Unexpected ingredients like truffle oil, caramelized onions, or smoked paprika can make a mac and cheese memorable.

5. Mix-ins

Importance: Ingredients added to the dish, such as vegetables (broccoli, peas), proteins (ham, lobster), or other mix-ins, can change the dynamics of the mac and cheese.
Interest: A well-chosen mix-in that adds contrast or complements the flavors of the cheese can be a winning move.

6. Sauce Consistency

Importance: The cheese sauce needs to coat the pasta well without separating. The balance between liquid (milk, cream) and cheese ensures a smooth, cohesive dish.
Interest: Some contestants may opt for non-dairy options or explore different thickening agents for a unique take.

7. Baking Method

Importance: Whether the mac and cheese is baked or stovetop affects texture and presentation. A golden-brown baked top is often preferred for contrast.
Interest: Different baking techniques or adding a final torching to melt the cheese or caramelize the top can be visually and texturally intriguing.

8. Presentation

Importance: Visual appeal matters in a contest. How the mac and cheese is plated or garnished can influence judges.
Interest: Creative garnishing (herbs, crispy elements) or serving in unique vessels (mini cast-iron skillets or ramekins) adds excitement.

9. Balance of Flavors

Importance: A well-balanced dish with the right mix of salty, creamy, and savory notes is key.
Interest: Contestants may explore sweet-savory combos (like bacon and maple syrup) or global-inspired flavors (Mexican spices, Italian herbs) to stand out.

10. Originality

Importance: In a contest, bringing something unique is critical. Judges often look for creativity in approach while still respecting the dish’s roots.
Interest: A twist on tradition, like a fusion mac and cheese (buffalo mac, Cajun mac) or innovative cooking methods (smoked, grilled), can grab attention.

These factors combine to create a balance of taste, texture, creativity, and execution. Standing out in a macaroni and cheese contest often requires pushing the boundaries while keeping the essence of comfort that mac and cheese represents.

Drum roll please!!!

The 2024 Super Star of Mac-N-Cheese at KB is Annette Muckenthaler! Congratulations Annette!

2023 winner: Derek

As you can tell, we understand the importance of balancing work hard and play hard. We do both here at Kenton Brothers. If you or someone you know is in the world of commercial security and ready for a change of scenery, be sure to check out the Careers page for our current job openings!