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.

We believe in celebrating the grit that keeps Ledwell moving. This month, we’re putting the spotlight on Luis Rojas, a dedicated member of our team since 2011.

Luis works in the Paint Department, where he’s been making our equipment look sharp and job-site ready for over a decade. From day one, he’s brought precision and care to everything that comes through his bay. He takes pride in painting all types of equipment that roll through the shop.

His favorite? Trailers. Luis enjoys putting the final touch on these hardworking machines. You can see his attention to detail and pride in the way each one shines when it leaves the shop.

When asked about the most challenging part of the job, Luis doesn’t hesitate – taping. It’s slow, detailed work that takes a steady hand and a lot of patience. But Luis knows the difference it makes. He takes the time to do it right because quality matters.

Outside of work, Luis spends time with his wife, Betty, and their three sons. As a family, they love going on bike rides and spending time outdoors.

Before coming to Ledwell, Luis worked as a valet driver. He enjoyed the chance to drive all kinds of vehicles and says the job helped sharpen his focus and work ethic. Skills that still serve him well on the job.

Over the years, he’s learned one lesson that sticks with him: “To get something good, you’ve got to put in 100%.”

It’s a mindset he carries every day, whether he’s at work or at home. His family inspires him to lead by example and give his best, no matter the task.

Luis Rojas is more than a painter. He’s a key part of the Ledwell family. His dedication, skill, and pride in his craft help set the standard for what Ledwell Made really means. We’re proud to have him on our team and grateful for everything he brings to the job. Thank you, Luis.

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.

Meet Jeff Harlow, a dedicated member of the Ledwell team since 2016. Jeff plays a crucial role in ensuring smooth operations for Ledwell’s logistics department.

When you reach out to Ledwell, chances are Jeff will be the friendly voice on the other end of the line or the smiling face greeting you when you visit in person.

Jeff’s strong work ethic can be traced back to his upbringing. From a young age, his father instilled in him the value of doing his best in everything he undertakes. “No matter what you do, do it right,” his father would say. This principle has guided Jeff throughout his career, and he consistently strives for excellence in his work.

For Jeff, success is synonymous with happiness. He believes true success is achieved when you find joy in what you do. This belief has driven him to pursue a career that aligns with his passions and interests, making his contributions to Ledwell all the more meaningful.

When he’s not at work, Jeff indulges in his hobbies and finds solace in the great outdoors. Golfing at local courses and kayaking near Broken Bow are two activities he thoroughly enjoys, allowing him to unwind and recharge. 

Jeff’s commitment to making a positive impact extends beyond his professional and personal life. He dedicates his time to volunteer work, supporting organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Alliance Tri-State and the Texarkana Children Charities Open. Through his involvement, Jeff strives to make a difference in the lives of others and give back to the community.

Ledwell is privileged to have Jeff Harlow as a valuable team member. His dedication, positive attitude, and customer-centric approach make him an invaluable asset to the company. Whether he’s assisting customers, pursuing his passions, or giving back, Jeff exemplifies the spirit of Ledwell and embodies the values that drive its success.