Keith Cummings Honored for his Loyalty to Others

The path Keith Cummings took to become a plumber really isn’t hard to explain.

As a young teen growing up in the Stapleton Houses, Cummings would accompany his older brothers all around Staten Island on their jobs installing boilers with a local plumbing business. Working after school at just 13-years-old with his siblings provided him with first-hand experience and knowledge in the business.

Cummings began his career as a counter worker with an established plumbing company in the borough before he started a sewer and drain cleaning business called KC Mechanical. That foray then led to the creation of KCM Plumbing & Heating Corp. in 2000.

While the company prides itself on performing quality work, the owner/plumber has demonstrated the meaning of customer service through the years.

One recent example came when his employee asked about the cost of the project for a repeat customer.

“When the worker asked me how much to charge for the job, I said, ‘Nothing. Just fix the panel and tell her to have a nice day,’” said the West Brighton resident. “This lady was a federal employee so she wasn’t getting paid (at the time due to the government shutdown). I just try and help and do what I can.”

Helping customers with their plumbing and heating needs certainly is a priority. But so is showing loyalty towards his workers.

Cummings said he has about 10 employees, but they know they’re never on their own.

“The other day, we had 30 calls. And I was out working on my own full truck. If I have to go out, I go to work,” said Cummings. “You don’t want anyone to feel that you think you’re better than they are. When they see me on the work truck getting dirty or if they need help and I show up, that shows I’m there with them.

“Sometimes when we have a big construction job, I’ll work with the guys to show them what needs to be done to get started,” he said. “The job super or foreman will ask, ‘Where’s your boss?’ and they’ll point to me. Those foremen will be surprised to see their boss working with them. I mean, that’s what we do.”

For his accomplishments, Cummings is being honored with a Louis R. Miller Leadership Award, which he will receive in the Established Businessperson category. The awards -- sponsored by M&T Bank and presented by the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and the Staten Island Advance -- honor the memory of Louis R. Miller, a businessman and West Brighton resident who was also a community leader.

Although it seems there’s a steady workload for the Mariners Harbor-based business, things aren’t quite that easy.

“Everyday is a struggle when you have a business because you don’t know what each day is going to bring. It’s not a bad struggle. But you have to work it to let it work for you,” he said.

“As far as the workforce, it’s hard to find qualified workers. They don’t have the proper training. Then if you bring them in and train them, they’ll sometimes leave to go work for someone else,” said Cummings. “They’ll work for a couple of years and then leave for what they think is a better offer.”

Cummings combats this issue by watching his employees’ backs and hoping it resonates.

“I try to do the right thing by them. There are times when they need a helping hand and I’ll help them out,” he said.

The idea of assisting those in need isn’t reserved just for the company’s employees or customers. KCM Plumbing & Heating Corp. has continually demonstrated its generosity towards the local community.

Through the years, the business has assisted the Historic Tappen Park Community Partnership with some of their festivals, the Staten Island Mental Health Society’s annual Touch-A-Truck fundraising event, and the Staten Island Challenger Flag Football Team. Cummings is involved with the Richmond County Kiwanis Club, On Your Mark, and the GRACE Foundation, and he has been honored by the Dr. Theodore A. Atlas Foundation, the Community Agency for Senior Citizens, and the Frank J. Reali III Foundation for his dedication.

“I reached out to Keith to see if he could help with our Touch-A-Truck fundraiser. Not only did he respond right away, but he gave a monetary donation and provided us with any equipment that we needed for the event. He could have just sent a check. Instead, he worked the event and sent his workers to assist us,” said Karen Sorensen, payroll manager and events planner for the Staten Island Mental Health Society, who nominated Cummings for the Louis Miller award. “It was just amazing to get that kind of response from someone.”

“Sometimes people will turn to me and say, ‘What did they ever do for you?’ I tell them there is no self-satisfaction. It’s just nice to see how the people feel good when you help them,” said Cummings.  

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Recipients of the Louis R. Miller Awards are recognized as effective business leaders, and for their outstanding contributions to the local community. Awards are given out in four categories: Emerging, Established, Master, and Not-For-Profit. The honorees will be recognized during the annual Louis R. Miller Business Leadership Awards Breakfast on Wednesday, Feb. 13 at the Hilton Garden Inn. For tickets, visit www.sichamber.com or call the Chamber at 718-727-1900.

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Below, Cummings shares more about his goals, job, and life:

Current occupation and title: Owner/plumber at KCM Plumbing & Heating Corp.

Hometown: Stapleton.

Past occupations and titles: Counter worker with Coastal Plumbing.

Community involvement: Richmond County Kiwanis Club. On Your Mark. GRACE Foundation.

Some of my life goals include: Being happy and healthy.

The best part of my job: Being able to fix things with my hands.

The most difficult part of my job: Dealing with the rules and regulations that change daily with the New York City Department of Buildings.

My life philosophy: Live and let live.

I am most proud of: My success in life.

Something that no one knows about me: I can’t tell you because then everyone would know.

The quality I like best about myself: My ability to multi-task.

Personal interests and hobbies: Big ships and trains.

I laugh at:  Funny people.

I am really good at: Plumbing.

I admire: People who try hard and make an effort to succeed at what they are doing.

Some important things I would like you to know about me: I like helping children, seniors, veterans, and anyone who is in need of help.