Kevin Gates: More Than 30 Years of Generator Expertise Built Through Experience

When commercial facility managers, property owners, and emergency preparedness professionals in the Los Angeles area need reliable backup power solutions, they need more than equipment. They need expertise, responsiveness, and a partner who understands what happens when power fails.

For more than 30 years, Duthie Power Sales Engineer Kevin Gates has built that expertise through real-world experience, continuous learning, and a commitment to helping customers navigate both everyday generator needs and large-scale emergencies.

Building a Career in Power

Kevin joined Duthie Power in December 1992, shortly after graduating from college. At the time, he was weighing opportunities in finance and project management. His father, who was Duthie Power’s Sales Manager, encouraged him to consider a newly created Sales Engineer position as the company expanded its territory-based sales strategy.

Although Kevin had received an attractive offer from a large contractor in project management, he saw the appeal of a sales career that offered flexibility, customer interaction, and opportunities for long-term growth.

“It turned out to be the right decision,” Kevin says.

Like many successful experts, Kevin didn’t become an authority overnight. During his first several years, he immersed himself in learning everything he could about generators, diesel engines, and electrical systems. He studied technical materials, read extensively, and relied on the guidance of his father, a former Journeyman Electrician who had successfully transitioned into sales.

“After about five years, I really felt like I had become an expert in the field,” Kevin recalls.

But the learning didn’t stop there. Along with building his technical knowledge, Kevin pursued sales training and motivational seminars to sharpen his communication and customer service skills. The combination of technical expertise and customer-focused problem-solving became the foundation of his career.

Learning Through Real-World Emergencies

Some of Kevin’s most valuable lessons came during Southern California’s most challenging moments.

In 1994, the Northridge earthquake created widespread power outages and infrastructure damage across the region. Rather than remaining strictly in a sales role, Kevin worked alongside Duthie Power’s rental technicians in the field, helping deliver rental generators, pull cable, and restore critical backup power.

One of the company’s major efforts involved supporting Hughes Markets grocery stores (now known as Ralph’s), helping ensure locations could continue serving their communities despite the widespread disruption.

“I was ready to work after hours and do whatever was needed,” Kevin says.

Those experiences gave him firsthand insight into what commercial customers face during emergencies and how critical a rapid response can be when operations are at risk.

Throughout his career, Kevin has taken part in projects far beyond traditional sales responsibilities. He has been aboard an oil tanker in Los Angeles Harbor following a fire incident and participated in large-scale electrical restoration efforts, including wire labeling and infrastructure support during major rewiring projects.

These experiences provided a unique perspective on the variety of industries and environments that depend on reliable power.

Supporting High-Profile Customers

Over the years, Kevin has worked with a wide range of organizations, including major institutions and flagship accounts such as the NFL.

From professional sports facilities to commercial buildings and critical infrastructure, he has helped customers develop generator solutions that support business continuity and emergency preparedness.

The common thread across every project is understanding the customer’s operational needs and ensuring they have dependable backup power when they need it most.

Proven Disaster Response

Ask Kevin what sets Duthie Power apart today, and one answer stands above the rest: response capability.

Recent wildfire events, including the Palisades Fire and the Woolsey Fire in Malibu, reinforced the importance of having both the equipment and the personnel necessary to respond quickly during large-scale emergencies.

According to Kevin, Duthie Power’s extensive rental fleet, service department resources, and logistical capabilities allowed the company to respond immediately with generator service, repairs, fuel delivery, and emergency support.

“We were able to help countless customers,” he says. “Rental units for grocery stores, fuel delivery for critical services running on backup power, you name it. Duthie Power’s team came through.”

That level of preparedness gives customers confidence that support will be available, even when regional demand for backup power surges.

What Customers Value Most Today

After more than three decades in the industry, Kevin has seen customer priorities evolve. Yet one factor consistently remains at the top of the list: response time.

Whether customers are facing a widespread power outage or a generator that simply won’t start, they want prompt service from knowledgeable professionals.

“Response time is number one,” Kevin explains.

He credits Duthie Power’s large service department as a key advantage, allowing technicians to be dispatched quickly and helping customers minimize downtime.

The company has also expanded its office support teams to improve responsiveness behind the scenes. Customers can receive work orders, estimates, invoices, and service documentation faster, creating a smoother overall experience.

For Kevin, that operational support is invaluable.

“I don’t have to worry about paperwork becoming a bottleneck,” he says. “The service and accounting teams help ensure customers get what they need quickly.”

A Trusted Resource for Southern California Businesses

After more than 30 years with Duthie Power, Kevin Gates has built a reputation as a knowledgeable advisor who understands both the technical side of backup power and the real-world challenges businesses face during outages and emergencies.

From the Northridge earthquake to major wildfire response efforts, his career has been shaped by a willingness to learn, work alongside field teams, and help customers when they need support most.

For commercial generator customers throughout Los Angeles and Southern California, that experience translates into something invaluable: confidence that they are working with a professional who has seen it all and knows how to keep critical operations powered and protected.