By: Taylor McPherson, Director of Communications & Community Engagement
Our greatest asset is our people. It has always been our goal to be the best aggregates and asphalt producer in the Mid-South. That would be impossible without a great team of people. We believe the path to true success begins with hiring qualified men and women who will thrive in our culture. We have cultivated an environment that allows us to attract and maintain loyal team members, some who have been with our family of companies for 30 years or longer. In our “3-for-30” series, we gain better insight into those who have contributed so greatly to our success.
Robert Reed
What is your title?
Superintendent, Asphalt Plants
How long have you been with our companies?
32 years
What are your job responsibilities?
“A little bit of everything. I oversee production and maintenance. If it breaks down, we’re in the middle of it to get it back up and running.”
What led you to our companies?
“It goes back to 1982. I worked out here at the Batesville Plant before Lehman-Roberts bought it in September of ‘82. Someone called me and asked, ‘do you want to go work for Lehman-Roberts?’ So, I did.”
What is your favorite thing about working here?
“I’ve got nothing bad to say about Lehman-Roberts. I enjoy the people I work around. We spend more time here than we do at home, really. So, people are a big part of it. We don’t lose too many people. When they come, they stay.”
How have the company’s core values, and overall culture impacted your role or inspired passion in what you do?
“We always try to do the right thing. When the core values came into play, it really made you think about a lot of different things. Like, safety at home… I had never really considered it, but I do now.”
How have the operations of the company changed since you started?
“Safety has come a long way. We’re lucky, Pat always says, ‘I want you to go home just like you came.’ The benefits of the companies have also come a long way from when I started in 1982.”
What is the best piece of advice you can give someone just starting out with our companies?
“If someone started today, I’d tell them to stay. The company offers a lot of great benefits. There’s no company or family-owned business better in our area.”
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
“I fish a little and deer hunt a lot. I love being outdoors, that’s all I’ve ever done. I also love watching SEC football.”
