Jim Keller’s career in the compressor industry started when he was a sophomore in high school. Working in the service department of a large air compressor distributor during breaks. He started out cleaning the “dip tank” and honing cylinders while learning the mechanics trade. While attending the University of Iowa he continued to work in Chicago during breaks and advanced to a field service technician level.

Following graduation Jim transitioned into outside sales at the same Chicago distributorship. After a couple of years in sales Jim was offered a position as a district sales manager for Quincy compressor. After a year assisting distributors in Northern Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin, he was transferred to North Texas.

The next phase of Jim’s career was as Sales Manager and Vice President with a Quincy distributorship in Dallas, TX. He stayed with that firm for several years remaining with the company through an acquisition.

In 1991, given the opportunity to go into business for himself, Jim bought some service uniforms, put a tool box in the back of his SUV and started Air Mac out of his garage. Within three months business had grown to the point that a service technician and second vehicle were needed. At that time a small building was leased and the business started to grow.

When Air Mac was sold in 2019 it had multiple facilities in two states. In addition to the classic sales and service B2B distributorship, a significant design/build component was added. Products were designed and fabricated in-house, supported on a local and national level.  Under Jim’s guidance and leadership Air Mac grew to be a multi-million-dollar company selling to fortune 500 companies with installations nationwide.  Over the 28 years, a core team of managers was assembled that operated the business profitably and ethically, providing roughly 40 employees with opportunity and growth.