Employee Spotlight

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.

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.

The most challenging part of Hugo’s job is his unwavering belief that everything has a solution. This mindset requires him to think creatively and outside the box to come up with unique solutions to complex problems.

One thing that helps Hugo stay focused and motivated at work is listening to music. He believes that it helps him remain calm and relaxed, which in turn allows him to perform at his best.

Hugo enjoys spending time with his children when he is not at work. He is a family man, and his children are his biggest motivation. They encourage him to keep going and never to give up, no matter how difficult the task may seem.

Growing up, Hugo wanted to be a professional soccer player, but he found his true calling in welding. His passion for his work is evident in everything he does, and he takes great pride in being part of the Ledwell team. His dedication, hard work, and positive attitude inspire us all, and we are proud to have him on our team.

When he was a teen, Tyler Cowling thought deer hunting would provide a way to make ends meet. Then he grew up. He started his career at Ledwell in early 2012 as the Production Coordinator – entering manufacturing work orders and ensuring they went through the production shop promptly.

Over time, he transitioned from Production Coordinator to Inside Sales and eventually to his current position as Regional Sales Manager in the Midwest. Tyler travels throughout Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, and the surrounding states.

A job is never without challenges. “There have been a few more than usual in the last few years due to supply chain disruptions. I believe Ledwell has managed better than most companies,” Tyler explained, “largely due to the number of products we manufacture in-house.”

Tyler has not let that stop him from taking care of his customers. His goal is to create the feed trailer or truck body that each client dreams of. That moment of satisfaction when the dream becomes a reality is priceless for him.

“I really enjoy working with a customer on a problem that needs a solution. Mainly when it includes all of our experts from production to engineering to delivering something that allows them to do their job better, faster, and safer,” he said about working at Ledwell.

Born and raised in Southwest Arkansas, Tyler enjoys hunting, fishing, and anything outside. He has been married to his wife, Brittany, for ten years, and they have a six-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son.

Tyler said, “My family inspires me the most. They are my reason and focus for everything I do.”