About
Principal, San Tan Tech Consulting • Gilbert, Arizona
Kirk Keating helps small and mid-sized businesses modernize their operations through applied AI and clean-energy power systems. His approach is grounded in four decades of bridging business and technology — from managing injection-molding production and architecting enterprise networks and portals, to owning and operating a mobile entertainment business that has delivered more than 11,000 events.
Unlike advisors who work only from theory, Kirk builds what he recommends: he designed and fabricated a 12kW lithium battery system, electrified his vehicle fleet, and integrated LLM-driven AI workflows across his own operation before bringing them to clients. He has provided clean-energy systems advisory since 2015 and applied-AI integration since 2022.
The through-line
Every role across forty years has been the same job in different clothing: take a messy, expensive, manual reality and turn it into something that runs.
Production management taught the discipline of throughput, quality, and on-time delivery under real constraints.
Two decades architecting networks, portals, and software for organizations serving thousands of users.
Fourteen years running a small business end-to-end — the perspective that makes the advice practical.
Experience
Founded as a networking and custom-software practice; evolved into today's applied-AI and clean-energy advisory. AI integration since 2022 — LLM-driven workflow automation, context engineering, and custom operational systems. Clean-energy power systems since 2015 — battery, solar, and hybrid design, generator replacement, and energy-cost reduction. Earlier client work included network design and maintenance across the Phoenix area; clients have included Mastercraft Industries, SubZero Ice Cream, and Arizona Generator.
Owned and operated a mobile entertainment business serving private, corporate, and school clients — delivering 11,000+ events and $5M+ in cumulative revenue, with 43% first-year sales growth. Designed and built a 12kW lithium battery backup system and upgraded the fleet to Ford hybrid tow vehicles, cutting gas-generator dependence, lowering noise, and improving reliability. Used the business as a live testbed for the clean-energy and AI systems now offered through San Tan Tech Consulting.
A 19-year tenure across three roles supporting 1,300+ users. Designed and built the company's first enterprise LAN/WAN for 600+ employees; created its first website showcasing 60,000+ SKUs to 20,000+ retail customers; and led an IBM Portal → Microsoft SharePoint migration that saved over $120,000 annually. Later developed point-of-sale reporting with EDI teams for major retail clients and architected a "Sales Data Mart" serving 800 remote users.
Managed injection-molding plant operations producing precision parts for the medical, aerospace, and electronics industries — 35 employees across three shifts generating $10M in annual revenue. Reduced raw-material inventory 35% through vendor stocking programs, ensured FDA/GMP/UL compliance, and built custom scheduling software to improve on-time delivery.
Hands-on engineering & fabrication
Four decades of hands-on mechanical and electrical work: building, modifying, and racing RC vehicles and drones; former motorcycle and desert-truck racer; UAV/UAS build and flight operations; and MIG, brazing, and soldering fabrication. Factory-trained as a Certified General Motors Master Mechanic, with a Certified Network Engineer credential and Statistical Quality Control training behind the systems work.
I take on a limited number of project, advisory, and fractional engagements. Reach out and let's see if it's a fit.
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