Star Equipment announced the promotion of Kevin McKinney to Des Moines parts manager and that Mark Dow and Gary Stickfort have joined the team in Polk County.
Kevin McKinney
McKinney steps into his new role after spending the past six years as Star Equipment's South Central Iowa territory manager, where he built strong customer relationships and developed a deep understanding of equipment support and parts-driven solutions.
McKinney's experience ranges from procurement management to leading teams of buyers across the country and managing multiple facilities, with work that took him to Georgia, Florida and more than 20 states before returning to Iowa.
"Kevin's attention to detail, leadership experience and deep understanding of our customers make him a natural fit for this role," said Bruce Bowman, president of Star Equipment. "He has earned the respect of both customers and employees, and we're excited to see him bring that same dedication and accountability to our parts department."
Known for his appreciation for quality and organization, McKinney brings a detail-oriented mindset to his new role and looks forward to supporting customers with reliable parts solutions that keep their equipment running strong.
Mark Dow
Star welcomes Dow as East Polk County territory manager. He brings a diverse background in equipment sales, manufacturing and customer-focused solutions to support contractors and customers throughout the area.
Dow's professional experience includes several years in sales, with roles ranging from equipment sales and radio advertising to serving as a factory representative for a Midwest manufacturer. This wide-ranging experience gives him a strong understanding of the equipment industry and the value of strong customer relationships.
"Mark brings a unique mix of industry knowledge, communication skills and real-world experience that fits perfectly with our team and our customers," said Nate Sizemore, sales manager of Star Equipment. "We're excited to have him representing Star Equipment in East Polk County."
Dow looks forward to serving customers throughout East Polk County and helping them find the right equipment solutions for their operations.
Gary Stickfort
Stickfort joins Star Equipment as a new rental salesman serving all of Polk County. He joins the team with a strong background in construction-related industries and will focus on growing Star Equipment's rental business by helping customers secure the right equipment for their projects.
He began his career in the concrete pumping industry in 2015 before transitioning into the restoration industry specializing in water mitigation. In 2021, he moved into the roofing industry, where he worked in residential roof replacement until joining Star Equipment at the end of 2025 to begin his new role in 2026.
Stickfort looks forward to supporting contractors throughout Polk County and helping them keep their projects moving with dependable, reliable rental equipment.
About Star Equipment
Star Equipment is a family-owned construction equipment dealer serving Iowa contractors since 1968.
With locations in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo and Ames, the company provides equipment sales, rentals, parts and service to support jobsite productivity across the state.
