When we asked the team to share their fondest memories with Ernest Powell, there was one common word that rose to the surface: consistency. After a career of 20 years, it comes as no surprise that Ernest seemingly mastered the trait in a fashion similar to his mastery of the steel wheel roller.
Levester “Duke” Watt – Foreman
Duke joked, “Ernest had eyes in the back of his head. He watched our backs and really showed how much he cared about the job. When one of his teammates wasn’t at work, he was one of the first to call and check on them… even on weekends.”
That level of care also extends to the job itself. Duke added, “We knew if his roller was positioned on the end of our paving projects, Ernest was going to make sure it was safe before we did anything.”
Ronnie Stark – Leadman
Ronnie agreed with Duke’s sentiment and added, “Ernest was like a guardian angel. He watched your back. I enjoyed working with him for 20 years and hate to see him go. He’s a good soul and was a great teammate.”
Woody Franklin – Assistant Superintendent
Woody spoke highly of Ernest’s work ethic and attitude. He remarked, “What immediately comes to mind when I think of Ernest is how dependable he was. His steady attitude was the same every day. It didn’t matter the circumstances.”
He added, “Ernest was a peacemaker amongst his team. If he saw someone bothered by something he’d pull them to the side and talk it through with them.”
Jim Whitten – Construction Specialist
Jim shared, “Ernest was one of the most consistent people I’ve ever worked with. He was an exceptional roller man. He was a rock for his team and served as a voice of wisdom for the younger generation of crew members.”
Michael Ellis – VP of Project Management
Having worked with Ernest for several years, Michael reaffirmed Ernest’s balanced approach to work. He closed by saying, “The thing about Ernest is that he was always consistent with his attitude. Not only that, but he was always positive. I know his team would agree because everyone saw it.”
When asked his favorite part of working with Lehman-Roberts for two decades, Ernest said, “My favorite aspect has mostly been the people. We have a lot of pride in the work we do.”
As he enters this new season of life, he shared that he was looking forward to spending time with family and planning some traveling. We celebrate Ernest for displaying a career that “walked the walk and talked the talk.”
Here’s to many joy-filled years ahead and thanks for your dedicated service, Ernest!
