Ledwell Team

Ryan has been with Ledwell for ten years and currently works in the Feed Body Shop. Previously, Ryan worked in the Trailer Shop, as well as, at Ledwell’s Fayetteville, North Carolina location. He mainly works on Feed equipment, but sometimes works on Dump beds, Hydratail Trailers and Flatbeds.

Working service calls are what Ryan says are his favorite aspect of his job. He enjoys getting to see the product that he helped to build out on the road and being used by customers.

Ryan and his wife Lacey have a 4 year old son, Tayler. On the weekends, he enjoys hunting, fishing and hanging out at the lake with friends and family.

One of his most memorable projects at Ledwell was, building one of the first plastic auger trailers with an aluminum boom because it was something new and challenging.

“Ryan is a good worker and very dependable. He takes pride in putting out a quality trailer.” – Mike Harris

Lisa Farris began her career at Ledwell in May of 1991. She started as a receptionist and in Accounts Receivable, but transferred to Accounts Payable within her first year. Lisa continued in AP for 19 years before returning to Accounts Receivable. In 2013, Lisa became Ledwell’s Human Resources Director.

Lisa is in charge of processing payroll, 401K and insurance. Her favorite part of Human Resources is getting to know the 400 plus employees on a deeper level. “Being the one they come to with questions or when they need something done, I know when they are getting married or divorced, expecting or delivering, sick or recovering and in general just want to talk.”

Her most memorable project while working at Ledwell was helping build a log house for Watersprings Ranch. Lisa recalls, “Being one of the ‘girls’, we didn’t get to do any construction, but Mr. Ledwell would let us clean up around the work area. It was still fun knowing we were a part of helping someone else in need.”

Lisa takes care of everyone at Ledwell going beyond her job duties. She is known as “Mama Ledwell” at a local clinic because she is constantly calling for employees to make sure they stay in good health. She has seen many changes at Ledwell and has enjoyed watching the company grow from 150 employees to about 450 and hopes to be here for many more changes and employees.

While not at work, Lisa enjoys fishing and traveling with her husband of 27 years, Jay, and daughter Burgandy, 23. She also loves to go to Northwestern State University football and basketball games.

Eddie Cokeley has worked at Ledwell for 25 years. He is one of those rare cases where he has worked in the same shop, Feedbody, his entire career. While there, Eddie has still managed to work on other types of equipment besides feed trailers. Included in the array of equipment he has worked on are tub dump trucks, water tanks, lumber dumps, and Haliburton floats. “There is a different opportunity to work on every day at Ledwell,” according to Eddie.

One of his most memorable projects was working on an Orange County Chopper trailer. His most recent project, developing the specifications for the industry revolutionizing Low Center of Gravity feed trailer has become one project Eddie will never forget.

“Years ago on our pay stubs there was a moto, ‘Work isn’t work if you like it.’ I have thoroughly enjoyed working at Ledwell and Son over the past 25 years. Building feedbodies and a variety of other products has given me the opportunity to develop expertise in the trade. It has been a joy, not work.”

During his free time, Eddie enjoys spending time with his family, especially playing with his grandbabies. He loves to grow flowers in his garden and go hunting for hogs.

Josh Farmer has worked at Ledwell the last 10 years. He has worked in several shops including Feed Body, Machine, and Truck Shop. Currently he works in the Tank Shop coding tanks. Code Vessels are produced with a 3.5:1 safety factor and follow a strict quality control program that include methods of construction, inspections and documentation.

Josh and his wife Mandy have two children, Corban and Brynnlee. When not at work Josh enjoys hunting, fishing and anything involving guns.

“Every year when I worked with Charlie Cutshell we grew our beards for winter. When we finally shaved, Mr. Ledwell would come by and give Charlie a quarter to replace the razor he tore up shaving his beard,” Josh said when asked to share a favorite story about Ledwell.

“Josh is a hard worker that can build anything you ask him to.” Brad Stringer

Kyle Edwards has worked at Ledwell in the Break and Shear Shop for the past 16 years. He operates a press brake to bend various steel and aluminum parts. Kyle’s favorite part about his job is teaming up with great friends to produce a quality product for the company.

Kyle likes to spend time with his family, hunt, fish and coach softball. Kyle and his wife Misty have two daughters, Kyleigh and Baylee.

“Kyle is really good at what he does. He is very dependable and a hard worker. ” – Johnny Goll

Santiago Simon has worked at Ledwell for the last decade, mainly in the Fabrication Shop. He welds parts together to make Rollback sub-assemblies and various other parts for equipment. Santiago enjoys seeing the end result of equipment built with the parts he manufactures.

When asked his favorite part about Ledwell he said, “Ledwell is the family like environment. The thing that I will always remember and miss is when we had gatherings and Mr. Buddy would tell his jokes.”

Santiago has been married for 22 years to Roxanne. They have four wonderful children Salvador, Enrique, Domingo and Jennifer, as well as one grandchild, Salvador Jr. In his spare time, Santiago enjoys a good book. If you pass him during break you will catch him reading. While at home, if he is not reading he is working in the yard.

“Santiago works hard every day, he is reliable and motivated to do a good job.” Brad Stringer

This year marks Wayne’s 25th anniversary at Ledwell.

He has been working in the Feed Body Shop since he started in 1990 focusing on sub-frames and axles.

Wayne’s hobbies include fishing, hunting and bull riding.

When asked about a favorite memory, Wayne said, “Mr. Buddy made me come eat steak after hay season was over. I still remember that it was 106 degrees that day”.

“Wayne is at work every day and knows the work that has to be done, and gets it done.” – Mike Harris