Team
Douglas E. Kirkland - PresidentDoug worked for his father's mechanical contracting business, Midland Mechanical, during his summers in high school and college. He graduated from Kansas State University in May 1983 with a Bachelor Degree in Construction Science. Doug worked for Midland Mechanical full time upon graduation. From May 1983 to November 1984, he worked as a plumbing foreman on a large project at the V. A. Hospital in Wichita. After his promotion to the office, his job functions were: sheet metal estimating, purchasing, project manager, drafting and engineering. Doug left Midland Mechanical in December 1989 to start Commercial Mechanical, Inc.
E-Mail - kirklandd@commec.com
William E. Valentine - Plumbing/HVAC Project Manager
Bill attended Wichita State University from 1963 through 1968 majoring in Mechanical Engineering. Concurrently, Bill worked for LearJet and Cessna as a draftsman. In 1968, he and a partner started Great Plains Mechanical as a part time company while he continued with Cessna as a design engineer. In late 1969, Bill went full time with Great Plains Mechanical until January 1997 at which time he elected to close down his company. Great Plains Mechanical did many projects throughout Kansas, including, the largest working solar array in GSA's five state region for Eisenhower Library in Abilene, Wichita State University's Aviation Research Center and a Kansas Air National Guard composite aircraft hanger. Bill's experience includes all facets of running a mechanical contracting business including accounting, office management, estimating, project management and purchasing.
E-Mail - valentineb@commec.com
Tony S. Streid - HVAC Project Manager
Tony started with J. A. Dean Co. in Pratt, Kansas learning HVAC installation and servicing A/C equipment. He also worked with a wide range of equipment including ice machines, medium and low temperature refrigeration and some industrial equipment. After moving to the Wichita area, he worked with Rothco Controls learning more about controls which was a strong point and an interest. In February 1992, he joined Commercial Mechanical, Inc. where again his exposure to new and different equipment widened and strengthened his service skills. In January 1994, Tony was asked by Doug Kirkland to manage the service department and join the estimating team in the office. He started with sheet metal estimation and progressed into project management.
E-Mail - streidt@commec.com
David L. Smith - Plumbing Estimator & Safety Director
David Smith graduated from the Climate Control Institute in February 1992. He began plumbing for Cobb Mechanical as a plumber helper. He attained a journeyman plumbers license June 1993. David started work for Commercial Mechanical, Inc. in March 1995 as Foreman/Plumber. He then was asked by Doug Kirkland to become the plumbing estimator/purchasing agent for Commercial Mechanical, Inc. In 2002, David was named safety director.
E-Mail - smithd@commec.com
Kelly A. Adam - Plumbing Project Manager
Kelly Adam graduated from Wichita East High School in 1972 and entered the plumbing profession in 1975. In 1976, he attended the Wichita Plumbing Vocational School and obtained his city journeymans license. He currently holds a Block and Associates plumbing journeymans license. Kelly has performed field superintendent lead roles from 1978 to 1998. He has decades of building experience with numerous types of commercial structures including schools, hospitals, assembly plants, campus dorms, nursing homes and prisons. In 1998, Kelly joined the Commercial Mechanical, Inc. team in the office as a project manager.
E-Mail - adamk@commec.com
Daniel S. Kennedy - Sheet Metal Estimator/Project Manager
Dan Kennedy obtained his Journeyman’s Block License in HVAC in January of 1998 after attending PHCC code classes. From there, he obtained his refrigeration certification and became a sheetmetal superintendent overseeing installations on projects. In May of 2000, Dan was asked to manage the sheetmetal fabrication shop for Commercial Mechanical, Inc. In January of 2003, Dan was then promoted into the office as a sheetmetal estimator and project manager.
E-Mail - kennedyd@commec.com
Douglas K. Stimits - Service Manager
Doug worked for his father’s mechanical contracting business located in Derby, Kansas during his summers in middle school, high school and later while working with the Wichita Fire Department. After his father retired and sold the business in 1974 he went to work for White Distributing as a commercial service technician working on his days off from the Wichita Fire Department. At this same time, Doug attended evening classes at Wichita State University and in 1984 graduated magna cum laude with a degree in business with major course work being in management, economics, and finance. In addition, major course work was completed in regard to an industrial engineering curriculum with an emphasis in structures, mechanical and industrial safety. In 1979 after being promoted within the Wichita Fire Department to an administrative officer he discontinued his employment with White Distributing to meet the needs of the newly promoted position. In 1985 Doug was promoted within the Fire Department to a division level chief officer position assuming full responsibility for managing all Wichita Fire Department physical resources and related supportive services. In 1993, Doug was again promoted with responsibilities expanded to include all department budgeting, capital improvement programs, government grants, personnel management with expanded oversight related to numerous high level projects. In 2003 he retired from the Wichita Fire Department and spent the next couple of years working on various construction and remodel projects in a self-employed capacity. In the spring of 2006 he joined Commercial Mechanical as the Service Manager.
E-Mail - stimitsd@commec.com
Gwendolyn D. Kelly - Controller
Gwen graduated from Wichita State University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. Her accounting career started with another mechanical firm where she managed accounting software and later took charge as the Controller. Wanting a broader based work environment where she can experience greater responsibilities she joined Commercial Mechanical in the summer of 2007 as the Controller. In this position she has full responsibility for the management of all financial activities related to payables, receivables, payroll, tax reporting, insurance, personnel, job costing and general company profile and performance reports. In an effort to maintain the latest knowledge of industry standards and reporting methods, in 2001 Gwen joined Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) where she is actively involved as a member of the Board of Directors.
E-Mail – kellyg@commec.com