Meet the Family Behind Atomic Lock & Key

When you call Atomic Lock & Key, you’re not just calling a business — you’re meeting a family that’s been training for this moment for nearly two decades. I’ve called the Tri-Cities home since 2005, and it’s the longest I’ve lived anywhere in my life. This community helped raise me, shape me, and now I get to serve it with my own two hands… plus the hands of the six people (and six dogs) who make up my world.

I’m Nate Elder — locksmith, husband, musician, dad, and the guy who’s probably worked on your neighbor's car. My wife Samantha is the glue of the entire operation. She’s a talented singer, a powerhouse in commercial insurance, and the reason our house stays functional even on the days I’m decoding a Toyota immobilizer at midnight. Together, we raise four amazing kids:
Corey (19) — officially launched into adulthood and taking care of his fiancée.
Maddison (16) — a puzzle master and ridiculously talented artist.
Owen (14) — the walking IMDB who can name any movie within three seconds.
Skylar (12) — my youngest and an aspiring locksmith who’s already impressive at lock picking and key programming (and slightly scary-good at it).

As for the dogs… well, that’s a sitcom of its own.
We have six — yes, six — and only two of them were on purpose. The rest were rescues, fosters, or “we’ll just keep them for a week” situations that turned into permanent residents. If my wife had her way, we’d be running a full-blown animal sanctuary by now. There’s Vinney the Grandpa, Ziggy the Sheriff, Ruby the Enforcer, Zues the Instigator, Regina with the Attitude, and Riley — a small ball of anxiety wrapped in social fear who somehow still wants attention from every human alive.

We’re a family of jokers, gamers, musicians, and movie lovers. We’ve probably restarted The Office more times than I want the internet to know, and our house runs on laughter, snacks, and the occasional “who let the dog out this time?” argument.

Every single one of them helped me build this business — from outfitting the mobile van to encouraging me on the hard days to spreading the word face-to-face. This dream is only possible because of their love and support. I built Atomic Lock & Key for my family… and maybe, someday, one of my kids will take the baton and run with it. No pressure — but it would be pretty cool.

So when you call me, you’re calling the whole team behind me — the people who keep me grounded, motivated, and grateful. We’re more than a business. We’re a Tri-Cities family with big hearts, big humor, and a mission to serve the community we love.