Kenton Brothers Ladies Take to the Field

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Kenton Brothers Ladies Take to the Field

Andrea Quintanar

By Kristen Harper, Controller and HR Manager at Kenton Brothers

Recently, two of our KB Field Service Coordinators took to the field with our KB Technician Zack Holden. Their goal was to get some hands on training in the mechanical security world. They also wanted to see first hand how these technicians perform their day to day work serving our customers.

Andrea Quintanar noted while traveling with Zack

“How he manages everything on site and the level of organization he has to keep things running fluidly is really amazing!” There is a high level of detail needed to properly care and provide for our customers. She also learned firsthand how to change a lock function, read a blind key code and how to cut keys.

Taylor Peebles also went out on a service call with Zack

“Seeing everything in person & how they (our KB Technicians) function has helped me really understand more about the mechanical side of things. It was so fun to see how it was done.” She learned numerous things such as changing out an E-PLEX lock to a Power Plex lock. It was Taylor’s first time using power tools!

Kenton Brothers Ladies Take to the Field

Taylor Peebles

Many of our customers are on a first name basis with our Technicians. It was pretty awesome feedback for Taylor to hear that she was being trained by the very best!

This was an eye opening experience for our ladies. They now have a greater appreciation for the skill our technicians have and what it takes to get things done the #KBWay.

The 2019 MacGyver Award goes to… Chris Skinner!

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By Gina Stuelke, CEO of Kenton Brothers.

We relived a part of our 123 year history last month in thinking of Bill Kenton. Some of you had the privilege of knowing him. Bill was the 2nd generation founding Kenton involved in the company from the time he was 12 years old until he passed away at 91 in 2010.

In the early years of KB, he ran the field services team and became known for his response when a tech would call in to the office express frustration on a job. He would say, “Well, IT DIDN’T GROW THERE… figure it out!”

Chris SkinnerSo in his honor, in 2015 we created an award to pay tribute to the KB security professional who has the tenacity and creative problem solving skills to get the job done while overcoming any adversity they may encounter. We liken this ability to the famous TV show and character from the 1980’s – MacGyver – who could pretty much solve any predicament with some ingenuity and the use of a paper clip or multi-tool Swiss Army knife! The definition of ‘to MacGyver’ something at KB is to fix something in a resourceful and improvisational way.

The 2019 prestigious ‘MacGyver award’ goes to Chris Skinner!

Chris exemplifies the KB Way and is a great contributor to our company. We appreciate his hard work, determination and work ethic! Chris has a great wife, Kathy and three spunky children: Wyatt, Griffen and Sofiya.

We appreciate Chris as a leader and role model for our technical services team. Congratulations Chris!

2019 MacGyver Award - Chris Skinner 2019 MacGyver Award - Chris Skinner

KB takes over Blade and Timber

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By Kristen Harper, Controller and HR Manager at Kenton Brothers

A throwing axe was a weapon used during the middle ages by foot soldiers and knights. Axes are usually thrown in an overhand motion (like a baseball) in a manner that causes the axe to rotate as it travels through the air with the hopes of hitting the desired target.

KB Team at Blade and TimberThe KB team embarked on a journey to Blade & Timber, a local axe throwing hot spot. While there, we were treated to individual lessons, unique competitions and lots of laughs. We continue to find the importance in working hard and building personal relationships within our team. It is what separates us from other companies… a companionship as co-workers that helps us overcome any challenge we face.

It is a published statistic that over 85% of all workplace failures have been attributed to a lack of communication. By incorporating team building events into your workplace, you can start tackling more effective communication by increasing positive co-worker relationships. It also never hurts to have some good old fashioned fun!

More from the Blade and Timber Website

Axe throwing is perfect for families, friends, date nights, corporate groups, team building, celebrating special occasions and meeting new people through our shared lanes and leagues. We can comfortably accommodate groups of 100+ people at most of our locations.
Learn more at BladeAndTimber.com.

KB Team at Blade and Timber

It Didn’t Grow There… Kenton Brothers 2018 MacGyver Award

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By Gina Stuelke, CEO of Kenton Brothers

Kenton Brothers - 2018 MacGyver AwardWe relived part of our history this week in thinking of Bill Kenton – some of you had the privilege of knowing him – the 2nd generation founding Kenton involved in the company from the time he was 12 until he passed away at 91 in 2010. In the early years of KB, he ran our service team and became known for his response when a tech would call in to the office and express frustration on a job.

He would say, “Well, IT DIDN’T GROW THERE – figure it out!”

So in his honor, in 2015 we created an award to pay tribute to the KB security professional who has the tenacity and creative problem solving aptitude to get the job done while overcoming any adversity they may encounter. I liken this ability to the famous TV show and character from the 1980s called MacGyver. MacGyver could pretty much solve any predicament with some ingenuity and the use of a paper clip or multi-tool Swiss Army knife!

The definition of ‘to MacGyver’ something at KB is to fix something in a resourceful and improvisational way. The 2018 prestigious ‘MacGyver award’ as voted by his peers went to Jeremy Shinneman.

Jeremy you’ve earned the title!  Thank you for being a great human and making KB look good!

Kenton Brothers - 2018 MacGyver Award

Kenton Brothers: 2018 MacGyver Award Kenton Brothers: 2018 MacGyver Award

It Didn’t Grow There! The 2017 MacGyver Award

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By Gina Stuelke, CEO of Kenton Brothers, talking about the 2017 MacGyver Award winner.

Kenton Brothers Systems for Security: Bill KentonWe re-lived a part of our history this week in thinking of Bill Kenton. Some of you had the privilege of knowing him, the 2nd generation founding Kenton involved in the company from the time he was 12 until he passed away at 91 in 2010. In the early years of Kenton Brothers, he ran our service team.

Bill became known for his response when a technician would call the office expressing frustration at a jobsite:

“Well, IT DIDN’T GROW THERE… Figure it out!” – Bill Kenton

So in his honor, we created an award in 2015 called the MacGyver award. The purpose of this award is to recognize the KB security professional who has the tenacity and creative problem solving attitude to get the job done… while overcoming any adversity they may encounter.

If the name of the award is familiar, it’s because we took inspiration from the famous TV show and character from the 1980’s called MacGyver. MacGyver could solve any predicament with some ingenuity and the use of a paper clip or multi-tool Swiss Army knife! The definition of ‘to MacGyver’ something at KB is to fix something in a resourceful and improvisational way.

The 2017 MacGyver Award Winner

This year’s prestigious MacGyver award was presented to Vern Gangelhoff.

Vern works at our commercial counter. I’m so proud of his desire to take on just about anything, as well as his desire to attack any situation. He uses his experience and skill to just plain get ‘r done. We’re very proud of you and so appreciate your hard work! Congratulations Vern!

Kenton Brothers Systems for Security: Vern Gangelhoff Kenton Brothers Systems for Security: Vern Gangelhoff