As part of our “People Behind the Pressure” series, we highlight the employees who make it all happen. We share their stories, memories, and what makes them proud to be part of the Air Components family.
For 32 years, Steve McNeil has been a steady and trusted presence at Air Components. From starting out as a young service manager fresh out of high school to becoming a seasoned and respected salesperson, Steve’s journey is a testament to loyalty, resilience, and what it means to build relationships that last.
Steve first became familiar with Air Components in the late 1980s. His father, a subcontractor in the soil vacuum division for Air Components, spent his days welding, plumbing, and building systems used at gas stations for remediation work. As a teenager, Steve spent summers working alongside him in the shop where he first met the Air Components’ owners at the time, Tom and Harlan.
When a compressor service manager position opened up and was offered to Steve, he accepted the role and bought a house in Grand Rapids. Not long after, Air Components had a sales position available to cover the Kalamazoo territory. For Steve, that’s where he felt he could truly thrive, and he ultimately decided to turn right back around, sell the house he had just bought, and move back down to Kalamazoo.
Over time, he gravitated toward the tools side of the business, as he was drawn to the pace and the problem-solving it required. “Things move fast in tools,” Steve said. “I liked being able to help people quickly and see results.”
More than three decades later, he’s still doing exactly that, and he wouldn’t want to have it any other way.
Trusted to Do the Right Thing
Looking back, Steve describes the early days at Air Components as a tight-knit environment where people worked hard but knew how to have fun. Friday nights in the early days for Steve included hanging out after work with fellow coworker Donny (who’s also still with Air Components), and pickup basketball games on a hoop mounted to a pallet rack in the warehouse. Life looked a little different for Steve back then, but one thing has always remained the same at Air Components: the trust and confidence placed in its people.
“What’s stayed consistent is the flexibility and trust,” Steve shared. “You’re not micromanaged. You’re trusted to do the right thing, help each other out, and take care of the customer.”
That mindset, lived by Steve and many other employees, is a main reason why he believes Air Components continues to be successful after 50 years and counting.
Earned Respect
Today, Steve serves as an outside salesperson supporting customers across the Kalamazoo area, including one major manufacturer where he spends most of his time. His customers know they can call him anytime, and they do. Many times, he has taken calls from the road on family trips, or stepping aside from campfires or dinners because a customer needed help troubleshooting a production issue.
“It’s just the nature of the business,” he said. “I like being the person that people call when something needs to get fixed.”
That reliability is rooted in deep product knowledge. Early in his career, Steve made it a priority to learn the different products and applications inside and out so he could help customers quickly and effectively. Nearly 30 years with the same major manufacturing customer speaks to the trust he’s earned, and how much he’s valued as the subject matter expert.
“I love the feeling of satisfaction from helping somebody out or seeing something improve. I like being able to find the solution when the line is down.”
It’s clear that Steve doesn’t sell for the sake of selling; he solves problems for his customers. He does this by being more than just an expert, but through the way he treats everyone with genuine respect. Walking through a customer’s facility, Steve’s going to say hi to both the janitor and the executive. Employees of the plant sometimes mistakenly think he’s employed directly by the manufacturer, which speaks volumes to his commitment, presence, and partnership.
Steve embodies what a true customer relationship should look like. One that is built on respect, reliability, and consistency.
Problem Solver
When asked what he’s most proud of, Steve keeps it simple:
“I’m proud of the long career I’ve built here, the respect I’ve earned from customers and peers, and being someone people can rely on for help.”
For anyone starting out in sales at Air Components, or anywhere else, his advice is straightforward:
- – Be a great listener.
- – Treat everyone with respect.
- – Truly learn the products you’re selling.
- – Focus on solving the problem.
“Sales isn’t about how well you can talk; it’s about how well you listen to what the customer actually needs. I’ve never thought of myself as a salesperson. I’m here to help solve problems.”
Real Purpose
Plenty has changed for Steve over the past three decades. From starting off helping Air Components as a single teenager, to getting married, raising a son and daughter, and recently becoming a grandfather. With the amazing milestone moments that brought about plenty of personal change, Steve also appreciates what has remained the same: the purpose and passion he finds in his work.
“I love the variety. Every single day is different for me. I may go into the day with a plan, but the plan could be totally out the window the moment I step into the plant,” Steve shared. “In a manufacturing environment, things change daily, or even hourly. You need to be able to roll with the changes. You might get a little frustrated, but that’s also what makes it fun.”
Steve is proud of the career he’s built entirely at Air Components, but he’s most proud of the family he’s built as a husband, father, and now grandfather. Outside of work, Steve loves camping with his family with their travel trailer. He and his wife take several trips each year to state parks in northern Michigan and the UP, with Wilderness State Park near the Mackinac Bridge being his favorite destination. While his daughter and son are both adults now, they’ll still join in for some of the camping trips.
Not Done Yet
Steve’s story is one of loyalty, humility, and deep care for the people, for the work, and for doing things the right way. He has built a career to be proud of, and although he’s experienced a full career’s worth of milestones, he’s far from done. There are still problems to solve, customers to support, and memories to be made.
If the past 32 years are any indication, the future is in very good hands.