Next Gen All Star: Kelson Carter

By Nicole Krawcke

Kelson Carter

AGE: 32

COMPANY: CARTER’S MY PLUMBER

TITLE: OWNER

How long have you been in the PHCP-PVF industry?

KC: 14 years.

What drew you into the industry?

KC: I grew up in the trades but was unsure at a young age if the plumbing industry was for me. After working alongside my family for years and watching my dad and grandpa build a life for themselves in the trades, I decided to give it a shot. At 18, I started plumbing light construction and custom homes. After three years in new construction, I decided that although I loved working with my hands, I missed working with people. I decided to transition to full service, and this is where I found my niche. My love for helping people, working with my hands, and troubleshooting daily plumbing challenges drew me in to the industry and has kept me working in the trades for the past 14 years.

What is the most rewarding aspect of working in the industry?

KC: The most rewarding aspect of working within the home service plumbing industry is being able to help people out. At Carter’s My Plumber, we are a people first, plumbing second business.

What motivates you every day?

KC: Helping my teammates achieve success in every aspect of their life is what motivates me. From growing in their personal life to reaching their professional goals, I want to see them succeed in all areas of their life. I also aim to create a world class experience for our customers on every service call we run.

What is one thing you wish more people knew/understood about the PHCP-PVF industry?

KC: I wish the younger generation understood just how much opportunity there is in the construction industry. The trades are more than just turning wrenches, there’s so much potential for advancement and building, managing, and leading teams. I didn’t follow the traditional college route, and I most definitely wouldn’t be where I am today if I had.

What has been the proudest moment in your career so far?

KC: The proudest moment in my career so far is being able to say Carter’s My Plumber is a successful third generation home service company. Only 10% of third generation companies make it, and I am honored to carry on this legacy.

What is one thing most people don’t know about you?

KC: Most people don’t know that I was a 10 year 4-H member and showed beef cattle at our county fair.

Why he was chosen as a Next Gen All Star Top 20 Under 40 winner:

“As a third-generation plumber, Kelson Carter, has been around and in the plumbing field for as long as he can remember. From being his entrepreneurial father’s shadow at a young age to becoming an entrepreneur himself at age 32, Carter has made great strides in the plumbing industry and will continue to do so in the years to come.

“Carter finished high school in 2009, decided to get his feet wet in the field, and officially started running his own truck at his father’s business, Carter Mechanical, following graduation. Carter Mechanical was a new construction company, plumbing mostly custom homes and completing work for light commercial buildings when Kelson joined the business. Though Carter learned the fundamentals of plumbing and discovered his love for the trade while working in new construction, he discovered he was most passionate about service and the Carter family decided to switch their focus to people.

“The Carters opened Carter’s My Plumber in 2011, making service their main priority. Kelson and his father built the business from the ground up and together, they learned that helping people was what they wanted to make their legacy. Carter graduated from Mechanical Skills in 2013 with his plumbing contractor’s license and holds a well pump installer license and is a registered cross-connection control inspector.

“Additionally, after being a member of GIPHCC for 14 years, Kelson was sworn into Greater Indianapolis Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors board of members in April of 2023 to serve the plumbing industry and continue to make change where change is needed. Kelson’s love for plumbing runs deep, but his love for people runs deeper. With Carters promise, “Hot Water Today or Its You We Pay,” the Carters saw a need for hot water in the community in 2019 and decided to do something about it. Carter’s My Plumber created the program, Carter Cares, and began to give away one free water heater plus installation each month to an individual or family in need. Carter’s higher purpose is to be a family business that serves and cares for families, and this program exemplifies just that.

With all of that stated, Kelson is a waymaker in the plumbing industry. From building a business to creating change in the community, Kelson sees an opportunity and takes it by the horns. His skilled craftsmanship, knowledge of the trades, and determination to succeed has proven thus far that Carter’s My Plumber is a company to watch and a company to make change. It is not often that a business owner cares both deeply for his industry and for his people, but Kelson Carter does just that. Kelson Carter is a Next Gen All-Star and will continue to pave the way for the generations to come.” — Ali Carter

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Nicole Krawcke is the former Chief Editor of Plumbing & Mechanical and PM Engineer magazines. She covered the HVAC and plumbing industries for BNP Media. She has more than 15 years of writing and editing experience and holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Michigan State University.