Reserve, Louisiana, refrigeration technician Steven Keller highlights the importance of technical education, safety, and patience in skilled trade careers.
RESERVE, LA / ACCESS Newswire / April 14, 2026 / Steven Keller, a refrigeration technician based in Reserve, Louisiana, is speaking out about the growing need for skilled trades workers and increased awareness around industrial refrigeration safety and technical training.
After building a career working with complex refrigeration systems, Keller believes the next generation needs better visibility into technical careers that keep critical industries running.
“Many people don’t realize how important skilled trades are to everyday life,” Keller says. “Systems like industrial refrigeration keep the food supply moving. Without trained people maintaining them, those systems don’t work.”
Industrial refrigeration is essential to the global food supply chain. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the cold storage industry stores more than 3 billion cubic feet of refrigerated and frozen food products in the United States alone. These facilities rely heavily on industrial refrigeration systems-many of which use ammonia-to maintain safe temperatures.
Ammonia refrigeration systems are widely used because of their efficiency and environmental performance. However, they require highly trained technicians to operate and maintain them safely.
The International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR) estimates that over 5,000 industrial ammonia refrigeration systems operate across North America, primarily supporting food processing, cold storage, and distribution facilities.
“Ammonia refrigeration requires knowledge and patience,” Keller explains. “You have to understand the equipment and respect the process. It’s not something you rush.”
Keller’s career reflects the value of hands-on training. After attending River Parishes Community College and Northshore Technical College, he entered the technical workforce and gained experience in engineering and industrial maintenance. Today he works as a Refrigeration Technician at C&S Wholesale Grocers, one of the largest wholesale grocery distribution companies in the United States.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to grow 6% through 2032, with thousands of new technicians needed to support infrastructure and food distribution systems.
Yet many employers report a shortage of trained workers entering technical trades.
“Technical careers are often overlooked,” Keller says. “But they offer stability and the chance to build real skills.”
Keller believes exposure to technical education earlier in life could help address this gap.
“I learned a lot through technical college,” he says. “Programs like that give people practical skills they can use right away.”
In addition to promoting skilled trade careers, Keller is also encouraging workers in industrial environments to prioritize patience and continuous learning.
“You keep studying and improving your craft,” he says. “Knowledge builds over time.”
Keller’s own journey began in Reserve, Louisiana, where he spent his childhood fishing and exploring the nearby Garyville swamp. Growing up in a family focused on service and education also influenced his outlook. His father served as Superintendent of Schools in St. John the Baptist Parish, while his mother worked as a registered nurse.
That environment helped shape Keller’s belief that discipline and learning go hand in hand.
“My father believed in education and dedication,” Keller says. “Watching my parents work hard definitely shaped how I approach my own career.”
Keller’s work in industrial environments has also been recognized with the Tiger Award from ExxonMobil, which acknowledges excellence in workplace performance and safety.
Despite the recognition, Keller says the most important lessons from his career are simple.
“Patience and knowledge go together,” he says. “You can’t rush learning a trade.”
What Individuals Can Do
Keller encourages people-especially young adults and career changers-to explore technical careers and learn more about the systems that power essential industries.
Some ways individuals can take action include:
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Research technical training programs at local community or technical colleges
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Learn about skilled trades careers, including refrigeration, HVAC, and industrial maintenance
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Support vocational education programs in schools and communities
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Take time to understand workplace safety practices in technical industries
“Trades careers aren’t always visible,” Keller says. “But they’re vital to how our infrastructure works.”
For Keller, raising awareness is about recognizing the value of knowledge, patience, and skilled craftsmanship.
“Work hard, stay focused, and keep learning,” he says. “That’s how you build a career.”
About Steven Keller
Steven Keller is a refrigeration technician based in Reserve, Louisiana. He specializes in ammonia refrigeration systems and currently works at C&S Wholesale Grocers. Keller studied at River Parishes Community College and Northshore Technical College and previously worked as a project engineer at Wink Engineering. He is a recipient of the ExxonMobil Tiger Award and advocates for greater awareness of skilled trades and technical education.
CONTACT:
info@stevenkellertech.com
www.stevenkellertech.com
SOURCE: Steven Keller
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