Employee Spotlight

Michael Steward has worked at Ledwell for 17 years. He has spent his entire career in the Paint Shop and enjoys it very much. Michael states, “[My] favorite part of my job is the amount of responsibility I have because it keeps me busy.”

The main focus of Michael’s responsibilities at Ledwell is ordering and keeping stock of paint and supplies. He assists his foreman, Russell Bragg, to keep the bays full so other workers stay busy.

Some of Michael’s memorable times working at Ledwell were, “Mr. Ledwell would make his rounds and I would get a chance to talk to him, he would always have something funny or interesting to say to make my day.”

Michael and his wife Sonya have been married for 16 years and they have two sons Brennen (17) and Landen (6). During his free time away from Ledwell, Michael enjoys riding four wheelers and fishing with his family and friends.

“Michael helps me keep up with the Paint/Blast Department. He is a big help to me.” – Russell Bragg

Holley has spent the last 25 years working in the Feed Body Shop at Ledwell. His work focuses mostly on paddle booms and feed equipment parts. He enjoys building different things on a daily basis.

He has been married to his wife, Jenny, for 25 years and they have two kids and three grandkids. Holley likes to hunt, fish and cook with friends.

“One of the most memorable events was working for Mr. Ledwell on his gates at the Farm. I couldn’t ask for a better family to work for.”

“Holley is a dependable worker. He builds quality parts and is good for a story sometimes.” – Mike Harris

Mark has worked at Ledwell since 1992, and this year marks his 22nd anniversary.

While he has spent the majority of his years in the Feed Body Shop, he started his career working in the Truck Shop for William Griffin. “William was a good man to work for. About six months into it, I was lucky enough to have my appendix taken from me and Mr. Griffin put me on the ‘sick, lame or lazy’ list and sent me to the Machine Shop to heal up. The Machine Shop looked like really cool work and I wanted in. I spent the next 3+ years working for Boots Thomas”. Mark has spent the last 18 plus years in the Feed Shop where he mostly builds keels for the feed bodies.

“A former co-worker and I were doing something one day when Mr. Buddy rolled up on us. He asked us why we were doing it that way. Instead of us asking him how he wanted it done, in our youth, we proceeded to tell him why we were doing things our way. He politely said, “Oh son, do y’all need me to take y’all down to the other end of the street so y’all can take my name off that sign and put y’alls name up there since you know so much?” The man had a cool way of making a point!”

“A memorable project I have worked on at Ledwell was building a simple table for a co-worker to use to work on. When it comes to pride in my work, I can be a little OCD. My foreman told someone about halfway through my project that when I finished, you would be able to balance a ball bearing in the center of it. So when I finished, I formed a half inch bearing, drew center lines and put it to the test! Not only would it balance, but we dropped it 3 times from about 8 inches high and it stuck dead center every time. I still have the pictures on my phone to prove it!”

When not working, Mark likes to relax with a good friend, a golf cart and an ice chest. He also enjoys shooting. “I’ve always like shooting since I was very young. At 10 or 11 years old, I split a 50 caliber round ball on a double blade axe in competition. 1 shot, 1 time.” Mark and his wife Dyan have two kids, daughter Sophia (8) and son Kik (5).

“Mark is one of our top welders. He makes sure he puts out great parts.” – Mike Harris

Sean has worked in the Break and Shear Shop for the past 9 years other than the few months he spent in the Saw Shop after breaking his leg in a skydiving accident. He is responsible for producing parts for almost every project that Ledwell is involved in.

“My favorite part about my job is the hands-on aspect. When I’m driving down the road and I see a water tank, rollback, feed body, or pretty much anything with the Ledwell name on it, it’s kind of neat knowing that I had some type of hand in building that piece of equipment.”

When not working, Sean spends as much time with his son, Aiden (6), as possible. They love playing baseball and going to Rangers games together. Sean also hunts, fishes and collects sports memorabilia.

Sean’s most memorable moment at Ledwell occurred when he first started working for the company. “Mr. Ledwell picked me up outside the Feed Body Shop and ask me to help him close some gates. In that time, he shared his love and passion for Ledwell with me. Although it was a short ride and visit, he opened my eyes and showed me that there is more to Ledwell than just a place that I show up to every day to do a job. Family and passion built this company.”

“I’m always proud to say ‘Ledwell’ when asked where I work!”

“Sean is a very dependable and hard worker. He is really good at what he does and very talented. I am proud to have him in my department. ” – Johnny Goll

Rene Antillon has been working at Ledwell fourteen years. He currently works in the Feed Body Shop, but has spent time working in the Truck Shop, Hydraulic Shop, Parts Shop, Tank Shop, Machine Shop and at Ledwell Farm.

Rene’s main focus is working on new projects that require precise measurements. He also teaches new employees how to weld and all he has learned through the years.

“My favorite part about my job is doing new and different project and being satisfied about my work quality.”

Outside of work, Rene likes spending time with his family, grilling, relaxing and working on his farm. He has been married to his wife, Belia, for seventeen years and they have two children, Lex (17) and Lilian (15).

“Rene is a very dependable worker and takes pride in putting out quality parts.” – Mike Harris, Feed Body Shop Foreman

Alfredo has worked in the Truck Shop since he started working at Ledwell 13 years ago. He mostly works on water trucks by preparing the chassis and mounting the tanks to the frame. Alfredo really enjoys working on custom projects such as the 4,000 gallon water truck orders that come in with extra add-ons like remote cannons and additional spray heads. Alfredo is married with two kids and enjoys playing pool in his free time.
“Alfredo is a quiet guy but really good at what he does. You can put anything in front of him and he will get it done.” – Mike Thomas, Truck Shop Foreman.

This year marks ten years for Sergio Resendiz at Ledwell. He works in the Truck Shop specializing in Rollbacks. When a chassis comes in, he prepares it for the Rollback body and then mounts it. He really enjoys the process of wiring all of the trucks. One of Sergio’s favorite projects was building a 30-foot Rollback with numerous additional lights. When not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids.

“Sergio is a master at his work. He always strives for perfection.” – Mike Thomas, Truck Shop foreman.

This year celebrates the 20th anniversary for Doyle working at Ledwell. He currently works operating the forklift, unloading trucks and moving materials from shop to shop. He enjoys getting to work outside and talking to everyone in the different shops. Doyle remembers the time he quit working for Ledwell many years ago to go to Guam; “Mr. Ledwell would always joke with me about buying me a ticket to go back to Guam”.

“Doyle has done everything asked of him for as long as I’ve known him,” explains Ken Coltharp, Machine Shop Foreman.

When not working, Doyle enjoys hunting, fishing, camping and having cook-outs with friends. He has a wife and two kids. “The Ledwell’s are some of the best people to work for. They will do anything to help you.”

Joseph started working at Ledwell six years ago and hasn’t looked back since. He has worked in the Feedbody Shop since he started except for spending one month in the truck shop. Joseph runs the pattern torch which makes him part of almost every project that comes in to the Feedbody Shop. His favorite part of his job is seeing the finished product.

Joseph likes to read fantasy and sci-fi novels. As well as, build and paint tabletop minis.
“Joey is a dependable worker. I can give him a list of programs to cut and I don’t have to worry while they are in process,” David Turnage, Pattern Torch Foreman.

Gaylen Ramsey has been working at Ledwell for 7 years. He currently works under Brad Stringer in the Tank Shop. His most memorable project was building the centerpoint suspension on a saltwater tank. Gaylen has been married for 38 years and has two kids and two grandkids. Like most of his coworkers, he loves to hunt and fish during his free time. “I love working here and the people that I work with.”
“Gaylen is a very dependable and hard working employee. He gives his best at whatever he’s doing. When you give him a job to do, you know that it will be done quickly and correctly,” Brad Stringer, Tank & Fabrication Shop Foreman.