Employee Spotlight

Meet Chris McCormick, who began his career at Ledwell in 2011 and has been a crucial part of the team ever since. He is now a Truck Shop Leadman and oversees over 30 bays, where his team mounts truck bodies to chassis.

Chris ensures everyone has the parts and tools to get the job done right.

While he spent some time in the Feedbody shop, most of his career has been in the Truck Shop.

Chris knows the ins and outs of programming trucks. He’s the go-to guy for making sure our trucks are provisioned just right.

Chris enjoys fishing, riding motorcycles, and working on trucks when he’s not at work. He’s especially into building low riders. Chris has been married to Kelly for eight years, and they have two children, a boy and a girl.

One of his biggest challenges is the numbers game—keeping production moving smoothly and ensuring everyone has what they need. But he tackles it head-on every day. He has learned a lot at Ledwell, but the most important lesson is always having a good attitude and the drive to get things done. Chris finds inspiration in Mike Thomas. “He always has my back and has led me in the right direction,” says Chris.

Chris was in the first SEED class and found it eye-opening to learn about the company from start to finish. “I think it is good for the younger generation to learn what Ledwell is looking for in leadership and more about the company’s history,” he shares.

“Chris is our man in black—always loyal and calm, wearing the Ledwell brand with pride,” his foreman Mike Thomas said. “He’s knowledgeable and dedicated, always aiming to be the best at his job. He’s quick to listen, soft to speak, and a true teacher at heart.”

Charley Parker has been a dedicated member of the Ledwell family since June 2000.

Starting his journey in our Truck Shop, Charley spent his early years mounting waters and dumps. About four years later, he transitioned to the Machine Shop, where he now excels at welding cylinders—usually the big ones for vacuum and feed bodies.

Charley is a proud Texarkana College graduate with a degree in Welding.

His love for woodworking at home matches his passion for working with metal at Ledwell. Whether building something from raw materials or working on his house, Charley’s craftsmanship shines through.

Outside of work, Charley enjoys a fulfilling family life. He has been married to Melinda for 20 years, and together, they have six kids and six grandkids. Charley’s commitment to his family and work is evident in everything he does.

At Ledwell, Charley takes pride in completing his tasks and ensuring that other shops have what they need to keep running smoothly. He is always ready to learn and tackle new projects. One of his favorite projects, Charley shared, was building a press. He enjoyed the challenge it presented and the opportunity to gain new skills. 

He believes that the key to success in this field is having a strong work ethic and a willingness to put in the effort. There’s no substitute for hard work; to succeed, you must be willing to roll up your sleeves and get things done.

“Charley is the epitome of our core values,” Mike Hensarling, his foreman, said, “No matter the challenge, he will always step up to get it done.” We are proud to have Charley on our team and appreciate his hard work and dedication.

“Haden is super reliable,” Kyle mentioned, “I can give him a challenging part, and he gets it done. I don’t have to hold his hand.  I can forget about it and trust that it will be handled quickly and correctly.”

Haden Sanders is more than just a skilled technician; he’s a testament to hard work, dedication, and doing what’s right, no matter the circumstances. 

After serving in the Navy and learning to be a machinist, Mike Hensarling made his way to Ledwell in 2006, where he began in the Machine Shop and now serves as Foreman.

Over the years, he has worked on numerous machines, but one of his favorites involved working with one of the HAAS Mills. “We use that machine for valve bodies, air cylinders, and other pneumatic parts,” Mike said. The machine’s versatility allowed him to teach others and ensure that every project had the right tool for the job.

For Mike, he takes pride in working at Ledwell. He stated, “It’s the sense of family, a characteristic that makes us different from the corporate world.”

In the fast-paced manufacturing world, the most important lesson he has learned is patience. Not everything moves at “Mike Speed,” and adapting to different timelines is critical.

Inspiration comes from various people in his life. Steve Ledwell consistently amazes him with the right answers at the right time. Beyond work, Mike finds inspiration in his wife of 14 years, Candace.

Beyond the shop floor, Mike collects knives and guns and is a devoted family man. With two kids, a daughter and son, who works in the Ledwell Robotics Department, nine grandkids, and four cats, family is at the heart of his life.

Mike brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the Ledwell team. His commitment to excellence defines the Ledwell spirit.

At Ledwell, we’re all about celebrating the grit and grind of our team. Today, we’re spotlighting Luis Rojas, who has been a part of Ledwell since 2011. 

Luis works in the Paint department, where he’s been making our equipment look flawless for over a decade. Since the beginning of his Ledwell career, he’s been working his magic with precision. He enjoys painting all types of equipment that come through the department.

His favorite piece of equipment to paint? Trailers. He takes pride in making these enormous beasts of the road shine. His attention to detail and passion for his work are evident in every trailer he works on.

When asked about the most challenging part of his job, Luis emphasized the importance of taping. It’s a task that demands time and precision to ensure the paint stays intact where it shouldn’t. Luis knows the significance of meticulous work, and he doesn’t compromise on quality.

Outside of work, Luis enjoys spending quality time with his family. He’s a father of three sons, and together with his wife, Betty, they love to go on family bike rides. It’s a fantastic way for the Rojas family to bond and enjoy the outdoors.

Before joining Ledwell, Luis worked as a valet driver, a job he found interesting. “I enjoyed driving all the different types of cars,” he recalls. This experience undoubtedly shaped his work ethic and attention to detail, which he now brings to his position at Ledwell.

Through the years, Luis learned a lesson you can’t pick up from any manual: “To get something good, you’ve got to put in 100%.” This isn’t just about his job; it’s the life philosophy he lives by. His kids are his driving force, inspiring him to be a better person and set the bar high – a spirit that runs through everything he does at Ledwell.

Luis Rojas is not just an employee at Ledwell; he’s an essential part of our family. His unwavering commitment to quality and his passion for painting make Ledwell equipment stand out. We’re proud to have him on our team, and we can’t wait to see the bright future he continues to paint for us. Thank you, Luis, for your hard work and dedication!

Meet John Williams, an integral part of the Ledwell family since 2005. From day one, he took on the challenging role of handling electrical maintenance, demonstrating his commitment to the company’s success. 

John’s favorite projects at Ledwell involve installing cranes, a task he has accomplished approximately 40 times over the years.

He meticulously wires all the components together and programs them to operate seamlessly, making work more efficient for our employees. His passion for this work shines through in every crane he sets up.

At Ledwell, John’s role is not without its challenges. He faces intermittent opportunities that require his expertise to resolve swiftly and efficiently. His ability to tackle these issues head-on showcases his problem-solving skills and dedication to ensuring the smooth operation of our equipment.

Before joining Ledwell, John spent a significant part of his life serving our nation.

He proudly served for ten years in the Navy, showcasing his determination and commitment to a higher purpose. His military background instilled discipline, precision, and a strong work ethic, qualities that have translated seamlessly into his role at Ledwell.

Outside of work, John’s passion for marine life takes center stage. He has several aquariums, including one housing elegant angel fish and another featuring vibrant tiger barbs. The most unique part of his aquariums is his collection of coral from the Indian Sea, collected while deployed in the area.

John draws inspiration from a higher power, relying on his faith to guide him through life’s challenges.

“ Knowing someone is there to carry the weight of the world for you is so inspiring,” he said.

John Williams is not just an employee but a dedicated team member who embodies Ledwell’s values. His journey from the Navy to our family at Ledwell showcases his dedication to a higher purpose and his determination to make a difference in everything he does. We are proud to have John as a part of our team, and we look forward to many more years of his exceptional contributions.

Ledwell is proud to spotlight Don Fox, a member of our Quality Control Team. His dedication and expertise make him invaluable to our company.

Don’s career at Ledwell started in 2006 in the Machine Shop, where he quickly became a natural. Despite having no prior knowledge of programming CNC machines, Don took on the challenge. It wasn’t long before he mastered the art of writing code to instruct the machines, transforming raw materials into perfectly crafted parts for our equipment.

Don has always strived for excellence, taking great pride in his work. His commitment earned him a crucial role in Quality Control, performing DOT inspections with efficiency.

When asked about his work in Quality Control, Don beamed enthusiastically, “I enjoy the fast-paced nature of the job; it keeps me on my toes and offers the chance to solve different challenges.”

Don treasures his family above all else. He has been married to his wife Sheri for 16 years. He enjoys the time spent with his family, which includes three sons and four grandchildren – with one more on the way! Taking every opportunity to create lasting memories with the family often results in camping adventures during his free time.

When asked about his inspirations, Don fondly recalls Mr. Buddy, a mentor who impacted him.

“Mr. Buddy embodied the same work ethic as my father: getting the job done right and done once,” he said. This guiding principle has become a foundation of Don’s work, stressing the importance of being safe, accurate, and responsible.

At Ledwell, Don Fox is more than a great employee; he embodies our values. Through his dedication to excellence, passion for his craft, and devotion to his family, Don exemplifies the qualities that make our company thrive. We are truly honored to have Don as part of our team.