“The foreman of a project usually runs it from beginning to end,” said Scott Schneider, McElroy’s commercial project supervisor. “On a recent project, we needed our starting foreman’s underground piping expertise for a tough, different job – so we had to reassign him. We picked Hayden Selman to take over. There were zero issues. Hayden took it and ran – flawlessly.” Hayden is a commercial-construction plumbing/pipefitting foreman who marks his 10th anniversary with McElroy’s on April 13, 2025. We’re glad to celebrate Hayden for his ability to lead challenging projects with a steady, problem-solving approach.

Church, Sports and 4-H

Hayden grew up in Ottawa, Kansas, with two sisters and a brother. His father, Mike, ran the fertilizer department at the Ottawa Coop. His mother, Kay, homeschooled the kids. Together, Mike and Kay ran a catering company. “We were very active at Ottawa Bible Church, we played in youth group sports, and participated in 4-H,” Hayden said. “My siblings and I helped with the catering company when we were teens, and also worked on my grandparents farm, helping put up hay and tend the cows.”

Harley-Davidson

As a youth, Hayden enjoyed riding and working on dirt bikes. After graduation, he followed that passion by earning an Associate in Harley-Davidson Technology degree from Fort Scott Community College. “In 2012 I started working at Historic Harley-Davidson in Topeka,” Hayden said. “Two years later, I got married and realized I needed something with better pay, health insurance and a more reliable future.” Charlie Campbell, who was McElroy’s plumbing service manager at the time, was a frequent Harley parts customer. He suggested Hayden’s mechanical skills would be valuable at McElroy’s. Hayden found a position on the McElroy’s commercial construction team, and started working as a plumbing/pipefitting pre-apprentice.

work to be proud of

"Motorcycle work is seasonal, and it’s only a hobby for most riders. Commercial-construction plumbing/pipefitting is year-round, and it’s an essential trade,” Hayden said. “I started working for McElroy’s on projects at Stormont Vail Health. There were facility upgrades and new construction jobs too, so I was on the team for a variety of important projects. I enjoyed seeing things come together, and contributing to a finished product I was proud of.” Hayden completed the Local 441 Plumbing and Pipefitting apprenticeship program and turned out as a journeyman. 

fruity pebbles

“Hayden and I worked together for a few years on Kansas State University projects,” said Brian Bergquist, McElroy’s commercial-construction plumbing/pipefitting foreman. “We shared a lot of commuting time, listening to comedy podcasts on our way to Manhattan. Hayden is a sharp individual and a good trouble-shooter. He’s also a dedicated family man who indulges in Fruity Pebbles as a late-night snack. I loved having Hayden on my team, but when it was time for him to start running his own McElroy’s jobs, I was proud to see him move on!”

appreciated initiative

"The first project I asked Hayden to be foreman on was a laboratory build-out at Kansas State. He was eager to lead the job, and got right after it,” said Richard Hammer, McElroy’s commercial project manager. “Hayden gets along with everybody while meeting the needs of the general contractor, owners and engineers. On a recent retirement-community project that Hayden led, the city inspector required some backflow protectors that weren’t in the original kitchen design. Hayden didn’t get flustered. He worked with the inspector to figure out a way to meet the requirements while saving space and cost. I really appreciate his initiative!”

trust and freedom

The McElroy’s project supervisor team agrees that Hayden is the kind of foreman who doesn’t need a lot of their attention. He’s very self-sufficient, is an easy-going and effective leader, and he knows what to ask and when. “When I’m the lead on a project, I have the freedom to manage my own day – which I really like,” Hayden said. “I’m trusted to ensure my team is doing the right work in the right way to meet goals on time and on budget. I like to plan everything out and make sure my guys have what they need. When we all know what we’re doing and why, life’s a lot less stressful!”

hobby farm

“Family is my life,” Hayden said. He and his wife, Jamie, have a six-acre hobby farm where they’re raising chickens and a few pigs – and three young boys: Clayton, 4; Paxton, 7; and Colton, 9. Colton is an avid reader, Paxton loves the outdoors, and Clayton is very energetic! Jamie, an educator with more than 10 years of experience, teaches art at Berryton Elementary School. The family attends Highland Heights Christian Church and they enjoy outdoor activities and holidays with their nearby relatives. Sometimes, when their chickens over-produce, Hayden will offer eggs to his teammates – who may give him a family-sized box of Fruity Pebbles in return!

problem solver

“When I wanted a steady career that would support my growing family, I joined the plumbing/pipefitting trade and found a place at McElroy’s,” Hayden said. “It’s working out to be everything I hoped it would.” Hayden’s success is because he has done a terrific job of learning, growing, and stepping up to every opportunity. He’s a problem solver who makes it seem like there never was a problem at all – he just seamlessly took care of it. McElroy’s appreciates Hayden Selman for his skills, his friendly attitude, and his ability to get things done quietly and reliably. Thank you, Hayden, for your first 10 years with McElroy’s. We hope you enjoy a long, rewarding future with us!