Giving Back

The Joseph Groh Foundation 2025 Grant Recipient: Steven Keller

February 14, 2025

Steven Keller’s career in electrical  engineering began with a foundation built on years of hard work and dedication. After high school, Keller  followed in his father’s footsteps and became an electrician and control technician. Over the years, Keller’s  expertise grew as he worked in various industries, including water treatment, nuclear power, and  manufacturing. 

In 2009, Keller joined ABB as a field service engineer, where he thrived, instructing technical courses at ABB  University and providing service repair and commissioning of industrial control systems. But in 2016,  everything changed when Keller was electrocuted with 4160 volts while working on a piece of electrical  equipment. 

The electricity burned a hole in his elbow and traveled through his body, entering his kidneys. When Keller fell,  he hit his head on the machine, and electricity flowed through his head and other areas. He was rushed to the  hospital in critical condition and placed on life support. After months of recovery, surgeries, and medical tests,  

Keller received a lump-sum workmen’s compensation settlement to cover medical bills and living expenses.  Unfortunately, the funds were not enough to make necessary modifications to his home to accommodate his  disabilities. 

In his search for help, Keller found The Joseph Groh Foundation and became the first recipient of 2025 to  receive assistance. He petitioned the foundation for a bath remodel, a request that was generously fulfilled by  the foundation’s donors. 

“I am incredibly grateful to be the first recipient of the year,” said Keller. “The bath remodel has truly  improved my independence and my ability to live more comfortably in my home. This support has made a  huge difference in my life, and I’m so thankful for the foundation and its donors.” 

The Joseph Groh Foundation is honored to support contractors like Steven Keller and remains dedicated to  improving the quality of life for people living with disabilities connected to the contracting industry. 

About The Joseph Groh Foundation: Established in 2009, the Joseph S Groh Foundation is dedicated to  enhancing the lives of individuals within the contracting and construction trades who face truly, life-altering  disabilities. The foundation has provided financial assistance totaling $1.2 million to 121 families in the  contracting and construction trades industry in 34 states ranging from wheelchair accessible vans and 

home/bath remodels to assistive technology, rehab equipment, home repairs and more. The foundation also  offers information to individuals with disabilities through its website. 

Our foundation’s inception is rooted in a profound event on Father’s Day of 2008. Joe Groh, an HVAC industry  veteran, experienced a life-altering accident during a bike ride, resulting in quadriplegia. Despite the  challenges, Joe’s resilience inspired the creation of this mask foundation. His story and our mission can be  explored further on our website at www.josephgrohfoundation.org