INTERVIEW - THE STEWARTS
Q - The Heart of Cave Creek: You are a familiar face at local events like the Cave Creek Rodeo; what inspired Stewart Mechanical to make local event sponsorships such a central part of your business's mission?
A - Honestly, it comes down to who we are as a company. At Stewart Mechanical, we’ve always believed we’re more than just an air conditioning company, we’re part of this community. We see our customers as neighbors first. The same families we’re helping stay cool in the summer are the ones we run into at rodeos, school events, and community gatherings. Supporting those events is just another way of showing up for them outside of the job. It also reflects how we’ve always ran our business. We’re not trying to be faceless in a company; we want people to know who we are, trust us and feel comfortable calling us when they need help. Being present at local events helps build those relationships in a genuine way, and it keeps us connected to the community that keeps our business going. We also proudly sponsor other rodeos such as the 406 Rodeo, which is filled with the next generation of rodeo. We see it as investing in our community and our youth, the two most important things. Our family has lived here for five-generations, and we hope to keep this sport alive in Cave Creek for many generations to come.
BY TRACY WAGER
Dakota is our daughter but has an undeniable passion for horses and barrel racing. She is eager and willing to learn so she can take her and her horse Kallie to the next level. Dakota encourages and mentors’ other younger children to get involved with horses and barrel racing every chance she gets. Several people ask, “What does air conditioning have to do with barrel racing?” and I always tell them “Everything”. The Stewart family has a passion for both and as we all know in Arizona, everyone needs air conditioning. Our family is either out at the arena or working on an air conditioning unit.
Q - A Family Legacy:
With your own daughter competing as a young barrel racer, how has watching her journey in the sport deepened your family’s connection to the local horse community?
Q - Empowering the Arena: You currently sponsor two talented barrel racers; what qualities do you look for in the athletes you support, and how does seeing them compete reflect the values of your company?
A - When we choose someone to sponsor, character and heart come first. We want to see that passion for what they do and the love for their horses that help them do it. We are proudly sponsoring two beautiful young women, Madisyn Desautelle and Dakota Stewart. We presented both of these young women with beautiful custom Stewart Mechanical buckles made by Sheridan Buckle Co.
Madisyn is everything we were looking for, plus some. She carries herself with kindness, strength, and professionalism. Madisyn and her horse Winnie show up for every race and give it their all.
A - The Stewart family has always been a part of the horse community, but watching our daughter grow as a young barrel racer has added a whole new layer of meaning to our involvement in the horse community. What started as supporting her interest has turned into a shared family experience that keeps us grounded in the values that define this lifestyle— hard work, resilience, and genuine connection. You spend long days at the arena, early mornings at the barn, and countless hours alongside other families who quickly become more than just familiar faces; they become part of your extended circle. We have made so many great relationships along the way and work closely with others in the equine community. Cortney Morris is an extremely decorated barrel racer and currently trains Dakota in the arena. Dakota strives to be everything Cortney is and looks up to her.
Q - The Power of "Family Owned": As a five-generation HVAC family, how do your individual roles and personal bond help you provide a more "neighborly" level of air conditioning service to your customers?
A - Being a five-generation HVAC family isn’t just something we say, it’s really how we operate day to day. Everyone has their role, but because we are family and have been in the industry since our great, great uncles Gust and Adam Goettl founded Goettl in 1939, things just flow naturally. We communicate easily, step in for one another when needed, and there’s a built-in level of trust that makes everything run smoother. That family connection definitely shows up
