Employee Spotlight

At Ledwell, we know that the heart of our company isn’t just in the equipment we build—it’s in the people who make it happen. This month’s Buddy Award winner is Rusty McCrary, a dedicated employee since 2011.

Rusty’s day-to-day work in the Maintenance Department is anything but predictable.

“It can go from 1 mph to 100 mph real quick,” he says. But that’s part of what keeps the job interesting.

No matter how busy things get, one thing remains constant: the people. “They’re like family,” Rusty says. That sense of teamwork and support makes coming to work every day worthwhile.

One of Rusty’s proudest moments at Ledwell was leading the fabrication of a custom 8” Vacuum Boom for a specialized vacuum truck while working on the company’s manufacturing side. The project was no small task—it required problem-solving and close collaboration with the team to bring the concept to life. Rusty took charge, refining the design and ensuring that every detail worked as intended. His dedication helped turn an idea into a fully functional piece of equipment.

Rusty says he most relates to two of Ledwell’s core values: Grit and Family. “I will work on something until it’s done and it’s right,” he says. That determination, along with his drive to help others, is what keeps him motivated every day.

Outside of work, Rusty is all about the open road – or open water. Whether riding his motorcycle or taking the boat out, anything “in the wind” is his kind of fun. He also stays busy with his family, which includes four daughters and several grandkids.

Rusty, we appreciate your hard work, dedication, and the impact you’ve made at Ledwell. Here’s to many more years of keeping things running smoothly!

Michael Applebaum is a dedicated and skilled operator who has been part of the Ledwell family since August 2011.

He began his career at Ledwell at the Torch, a machine designed to cut various sheets of metal. Today, he operates the Laser, a more advanced piece of equipment that provides faster and more precise metal cutting. Both machines share the same mission of turning raw materials into custom solutions, but the Laser’s precision is unmatched.

Michael admits there are too many to choose from when asked about his favorite project. Each day brings unique challenges and opportunities, which he approaches with enthusiasm. 

Through his time at Ledwell, Michael has learned the importance of being prepared for anything.

“You might have to pivot at any moment,” he explains. “As long as you have an open mind and are ready to work, you’ll be good.” This resilience aligns perfectly with the Ledwell values. One of them is grit, which Michael lives by. “I like getting the job done,” he says. “I really enjoy it.” 

Outside of work, Michael is a family man. He and his wife, Faith, have been married for nearly 15 years and are proud parents to three children: Aubrey, Kenslee, and Weston.

Michael Applebaum exemplifies the hardworking attitude that defines Ledwell. We are proud to have him on our team and grateful for the dedication he brings to his craft every day. Thank you, Michael, for all you do!

John Crisp has been a member of the Ledwell team for 10 years, joining in March 2014. As a Regional Manager and Corporate Counsel, he brings strategic insight and a customer-focused approach to every aspect of his role.

He is very proud to represent Ledwell’s legacy of American manufacturing. “We don’t just build equipment—we create solutions that drive businesses and the economy forward,” John says.

His workdays focus on building relationships with new and existing customers, tackling challenges, and ensuring every opportunity is met with innovative solutions and the collaborative spirit that defines Ledwell.
One of his most rewarding professional experiences has been working closely with Wholesale Electric Supply, another family-owned company based in Texarkana. Their shared commitment to supporting regional growth has made this partnership especially meaningful.

Over the years, John has seen firsthand that putting customers first is essential to Ledwell’s success, a commitment driven by the team’s determination to solve problems and overcome challenges. As a passionate advocate for U.S. manufacturing, John encourages young talent to pursue careers in this vital field.

“Our nation’s future depends on producing the products and equipment that drive progress and stability,” he explains.

For him, working at Ledwell is more than a job—it’s about contributing to a legacy of craftsmanship, community, and excellence that stands the test of time.

John is a proud Longhorn and a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He met his wife, Kelley, while attending law school in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Together, they are raising their 11-year-old son, John Ed.
As a family, they enjoy traveling, cooking, and golfing on weekends.

Beyond his personal life, John is deeply committed to his community, actively supporting CASA and the Texarkana Children’s Advocacy Center through their annual Songwriters on the Edge of Texas concert and golf tournament. This work aligns with his belief in creating opportunities for hope and healing for children in need.

Sam Garcia has worked in the Ledwell Feedbody shop since joining the team in March 2012. With over a decade of experience, Sam’s craftsmanship has made him a key contributor to the department.

He’s worked on flatbeds, dump beds, and every part of a Feed Trailer, showcasing his versatility and commitment to quality. Today, he manufactures essential components like uprights, discharges, and horse heads for various trailers.

Ryan Whitehead, one of Sam’s foremen, describes him as someone you can always count on. “Sam is the guy who, no matter what you ask of him, is always willing to get it done,” Ryan says. This reliability and can-do attitude have earned Sam the respect of his co-workers throughout the shop.

Sam’s passion for his work stems from the mentors he’s had along the way. “They love what they do and get things done. I try to do the same,” he says. Their influence has shaped his approach, echoing a shared commitment to excellence and efficiency.

Outside of work, Sam is a family man. He and his wife, Sandra, have been married for 18 years and have three children—Blana, Alhia, and Mateo. Together, they enjoy traveling and keeping busy with activities for the kids, creating cherished family memories.

Sam’s story is one of dedication and hard work. He exemplifies the values that drive every product we make, and we’re proud to have him on our team.

Thank you, Sam, for over a decade of excellence and for helping us build a legacy of lasting craftsmanship.

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 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 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 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 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.