Skip to main content
search

Matt Lolies

At Ledwell, our success depends on skilled and dedicated professionals like Matt Lolies. This year marks an impressive milestone—20 years since Matt joined our team.

Matt began his career right after high school, stepping into the Brake and Shear department. He was then moved to the Machine Shop, where he would expand his expertise. Over the years, Matt honed his skills across various challenging projects, from working with hydraulics to paddle chains and gear hobs. He runs the manual lathe and mills today, producing unique one-off parts and handling bulk manufacturing needs. 

One of the most challenging aspects of his work is machining parts for equipment built 20 to 30 years ago, which Ledwell continues to support. It’s proof of the enduring value of our products.

The pride from seeing finished equipment roll down the road motivates Matt. “Knowing I was a part of what made that equipment gives me pride,” he says. Beyond the technical aspects, his favorite part of the job is passing on his knowledge. “I have trained several over the years, and some have advanced through the company,” Matt shares, underscoring the importance of mentorship and growth.

Matt offers simple yet powerful advice for those aspiring to enter the world of manufacturing: “Start with an open mind.” It’s a reminder that adaptability and a willingness to learn are crucial for success.

His inspiration is rooted in family. His parents, especially his father, who also worked at Ledwell until his passing, have left an unforgettable mark on his work ethic and values. Outside of work, Matt enjoys the outdoors, particularly hunting and fishing, and dedicates time to the Redwater Volunteer Fire Department—showing the commitment to community service that Ledwell employees are known for.

Here’s to Matt and many more successful years ahead!

Shannon Bradford

Shannon Bradford has been a valued member of the Ledwell team for 20 years. Throughout his career, he’s worked primarily in the Trailer Shop but has taken on other equipment, such as building feedbodies and dump trucks.

“For a while, I was one of a few selected to do the special projects,” Shannon says. One of his favorite projects was a unique trailer for moving concrete slabs. “It took us about three months to build because it was so unique,” he recalls.

For the last few years, he served as foreman of our Post-Production Trailer Shop, overseeing the final stages of building our HydraTail Trailers, handling everything from wiring and hydraulics to flooring and quality control. Now, Shannon is taking on a new role as the General Manager of our North Carolina shop.

Shannon was part of Ledwell’s first SEED program. His biggest takeaway? “Focus on more than just your world. Look upstream and downstream to see how what you do—or don’t do—causes a ripple effect.”

The best advice Shannon received came from Steve Ledwell: “Take pride in what you do…it goes out into the world for everyone to see.” Those words have stuck with him throughout his career.

We’re proud to have Shannon continue his journey with us as the new General Manager of Ledwell East in North Carolina, and we look forward to many more years of his dedication and leadership.

Fredy Montalban

Fredy Montalban has been a valued member of the Ledwell family since 2008. He began his journey in the Tank Shop as a welder, honing his skills before transitioning to the Fabrication Shop, where he manufactured vacuum tanks. Today, Fredy is a Bobcat Tech at Ledwell’s sister company, Ledwell Machinery.

Reflecting on his career evolution, Fredy says, “I liked welding, but really enjoy what I am doing now. Every machine is different, and finding each issue makes it a challenge.”

One of his proudest achievements was helping to design a hydraulic cooling system for a specific machine. “It brought Ledwell and Ledwell Machinery teams together to solve a problem for a customer,” he shares with pride.

He is incredibly proud to work at Ledwell because of the supportive environment created by his supervisor and the company owners. “They take care of you and look out for you,” he says.

Fredy believes the most important skill he has gained is a willingness to learn, which continues to serve him well as he tackles new challenges daily. 

Outside of work, Fredy and his wife, Ceydi, are raising three children—two girls and a boy. His greatest source of inspiration is his mom. “She always pushed us to do better and make us the best people we could be,” Fredy reflects.

We are grateful to have Fredy on the Ledwell team and look forward to seeing what challenges he tackles next!

Lawson Lawrence

Lawson Lawrence joined Ledwell in 2016 as a welder in our Tank Shop. He now resides in our Fabrication Shop manufacturing vacuum tanks, a skill he honed after earning his ASME Code Welding Certificate almost five years ago. 

Lawson set high standards for himself when pursuing that certificate, pushing hard to achieve it. Though it felt like months, he completed it in just three weeks. When asked for advice for anyone taking their code welding test, he says, “Stay calm and listen to experienced welders. Their knowledge will help more than you know.”

His foreman, Brad Stringer, said, “Lawson is one of those you can give a task to and not worry about it getting done quickly and correctly.”

He is currently working on Salt Water Trailers, which have become one of his favorite pieces of equipment to build.

Ledwell lives by four values – quality, grit, legacy, and family. The one that resonates most with Lawson is Family.

“There is a strong family environment here. Nothing else like it in Texarkana. We support each other,” he says. 

Outside his Ledwell family, Lawson is married to Catherine, and they share their home with an Alaskan Husky named Albert. He enjoys taking walks with them at a local park, painting, and attending concerts when he can. Lawson also gives back to the community, having volunteered his artistic skills by painting a wine barrel for the Twice as Fine Wine Festival, which benefits the Alzheimer’s Alliance Tri-State.

Thank you, Lawson, for your dedication, hard work, and the example you set every day. Your commitment to excellence and willingness to support your team make a real difference. We’re proud to have you as part of the Ledwell family.

Toby Sierra

Toby Sierra - Ledwell Employee Spotlight

Toby Sierra has been a valued member of the Ledwell team for 17 years.

From his first day, he worked in the Trailer Shop. Even though he specializes in manufacturing hydraulic trailers from raw materials, his welding skills have contributed to building other products in that shop, including feed trailers and dump beds, as needed.

Toby has been married to Maria since 2005, and they have two children. In his free time, Toby enjoys spending time with his family at the river, cooking out, and riding four-wheelers.

Thinking about what brings him pride at Ledwell, Toby said, “putting out quality work and treating it as if it’s my own.” 

His foreman, Cliff Harvin, adds, “Toby is one I can pair a new employee with, and he will teach them the Ledwell way. I can count on him to do the right thing; he does it with pride.”

A standout project for Toby was building a special trailer with two headboards designed to pick up concrete slabs. This job was memorable for him due to the unique challenges it presented and the advanced skills it required.

Over the years, Toby has become the go-to person for training new employees in the Trailer Shop, which allows him to pass on his knowledge and helps him refine his skills.

Toby advises those looking to get into welding or the manufacturing industry to “Learn the basics, like how to read a tape measure; it’s more important than you realize.” He also advises, “Try to do your best, and if you mess up, fix it and do it again.”

Ledwell is proud to have dedicated and skilled workers like Toby Sierra on the team.

Ledwell Employee Spotlight - Toby Sierra
Toby Sierra - Ledwell Employee Spotlight

Michael Tucker

Michael Tucker has been a dedicated member of the Ledwell team for about five years. He started his journey in the Kit Bay, assembling part kits for each bay in the Truck Shop. These kits ensure each order has everything needed to mount a bed to a chassis. Nowadays, although he is still in the Truck shop, Michael focuses on building wet kits and occasionally takes on additional one-off projects.

An essential skill he has picked up at Ledwell is wiring. “Before this job, I never did any wiring. It was a challenge at first, but now I can handle wiring tasks, from relays and PTO switches to lights and fans.”

Michael embodies the Ledwell value of grit and strives for perfection. “I don’t want to see any truck I’ve worked on return from Quality Control.” He describes himself as passionate and hard-working.

According to his foreman, Mike Thomas, “Michael is loyal to his work and is always willing to help others in need. He continuously strives to improve his skills and our product, taking on difficult jobs without hesitation.”

Outside of work, Michael enjoys playing cornhole and creating laser-engraved artwork. He has been with his partner Kayla for 14 years, and together, they have two daughters, Abby and Aubreigh.

Michael also volunteers for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), helping at events such as their annual walk in November and car show.

Thank you, Michael, for your hard work and dedication. Your commitment to excellence and willingness to help others significantly impact Ledwell.

Chris McCormick

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

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.

Jerry Snider

Meet Jerry Snider, a seasoned pro at Ledwell with 30 years of experience. He started in Brake and Shear, mastering the Green Mile and other brakes.

Jerry shifted to Internal Parts Delivery about seven years back, shuttling parts from the Pattern Torch to various shops. When he’s not doing that, he’s keeping things tidy, clearing debris, and grading the yard.

Jerry’s motto? “Get stuff done.”

He stays on the move even with the challenge of matching parts to places in a busy plant.

Reflecting on his three decades at Ledwell, Jerry has picked up a thing or two—lessons that even translate to his home garage.

Top of the list? Patience. Thinking ahead and planning the next move are all second nature to Jerry. After all, in Brake and Shear, one wrong move can throw a wrench in the works.

Off the clock, Jerry enjoys revving up engines and breathing new life into old vehicles, especially iconic Mustangs.

And if you ever catch sight of Jerry on his rounds, you might notice he’s not alone. Nope, he’s got Ted, a giant teddy bear, riding shotgun. Ted’s become a bit of a legend around Ledwell, bringing a smile to faces and a wave or two as they go about their business.

For his foreman, Tim, he says, “Jerry is always ready to help and tackle tasks head-on. That’s just Jerry—making things happen, day in and day out.”

Haden Sanders

Haden Sanders - Ledwell Employee Spotlight
Haden Sanders - Ledwell Employee Spotlight

“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. 

Meet Haden Sanders, a dedicated member of the Ledwell team since 2012.

He’s half of the team behind the brake machine known as the Green Mile. This 20-foot beast was installed shortly after he joined and was the biggest machine in the shop at the time.

When he’s not bending metal, Haden enjoys the simple pleasures of hunting and watching college football, cheering on the Longhorns. But his true passion lies in his spare time, where he’s busy prepping his land for a future cattle herd.

Haden has always worked in the Brake and Shear shop, which has helped him understand that the little things matter just as much as the big ones.

Precision at the brake ensures the entire build stays on track. As he puts it, “If what I do at the brake is not accurate, then the mistake will cascade down the line.”

Working at Ledwell has taught Haden an invaluable life lesson: always do the right thing, even if it’s harder. It’s a principle he lives by, thanks to the inspiration he finds in Kyle Sanders, who has been a mentor to him his entire life. 

Haden Sanders - Ledwell Employee Spotlight
Close Menu