Lehman-Roberts, a Granite Company, Wins Third Straight Community Engagement Award
KATIE NAVARRA
CONTRIBUTOR
More than a decade ago, the Lehman-Roberts executive team launched an annual Martin Luther King Day of Service alongside its sister company Memphis Stone & Gravel, a Granite Company. Designed to honor Dr. King’s legacy and philosophy of community building, staff members dispersed throughout the city to take part in beautification projects.
Each year since its inception, it has gained momentum, transforming from an executiveled initiative into an employee-driven program. Today, more than 300 employees across 20 department teams contribute to over 25 service projects annually across the Greater Memphis area and northern Mississippi.
“It’s truly inspiring to see how our program has grown and evolved,” said Taylor McPherson, director of communications and engagement. “What began as a one-day event now extends into several weeks and even monthly service opportunities. We’re seeing team members reach out and say, ‘There’s a great nonprofit in my local community – can we support them as a company?’ That’s when you know the impact is real – when people take initiative and lead the way.”
The one-day event remains central to the company’s community involvement program but has evolved into something much bigger – a yearround commitment to community activities, with employees logging approximately 1,400 volunteer hours throughout the year.
“Our community engagement program shows that we’re much more than just an asphalt paving and road construction company,” said Cheyenne Harrod, the company’s communications and engagement specialist. “This is all about investing in communities where we live and work while continuing to build that trust with the community.”
Community engagement is not just a oneoff event; it’s a company-wide culture that has earned Lehman-Roberts/Memphis Stone & Gravel the NAPA Community Engagement Award for the third consecutive year.
A YEAR-ROUND INFLUENCE
What began as a single day of service has grown into a year-round commitment. The company is involved and encourages employees to participate in the community at least once a month, whether through a service project, sponsoring a fundraiser, organizing a field trip, or visiting a school to share about careers in the industry.
Service projects range from light demolition, building fences, painting, paving and milling parking lots, clearing debris, packing care packages, supporting local food pantries, and more.
“Over the years, our commitment to community engagement has evolved from a select few initiatives to a company-wide strategy that creates meaningful change,” said David Middleton, the company’s senior director of strategy and technology. “Today, we are expanding our partnerships, and our dedicated employees are contributing more and more hours to volunteering efforts. This growth reflects who we are – a company that cares about making a difference.”
LIVING THE MISSION
All companies have a mission statement. But at Lehman-Roberts, it’s more than a poster that goes on a wall or a phrase mentioned in staff meetings. It’s one that’s lived daily.
“We’ve always said our mission, which is helping communities where we live and work thrive, is what guides us,” said Pat Nelson, president of Lehman-Roberts and NAPA chairman of the board. “We’ve certainly contributed to the thriving of the community through stuff we’ve built. But this is a tangible way that all our employees can also partner up with ministries around the area.”
The company mission is built on three pillars:
- Building roads and bridges. More than one million people in Memphis, West Tennessee, and North Mississippi drive on roads and bridges the company has built or maintained. “There’s probably not a road in Shelby County, Tennessee, that we haven’t touched at some point in those almost nine decades,” Nelson said. “We get to impact that many lives every day for folks going to church, school, synagogues, hospitals, etc.”
- Engaging with ministry partners. With more than 20 nonprofit partnerships maintained over 15 years, the company is shaping generational influence in the region. “We take pride in being part of the communities we serve,” said Vice President Jeremy Ramberg. “As stewards of the resources and opportunities we’ve been given, it’s important to us to give back and help create a stronger, more vibrant future for everyone.”
- Taking care of team members. Benefits, wellness programs, and mental health resources are core to ensuring employees flourish. “We make sure that they have the resources they need, whether that’s health care or dental care or retirement benefits. We have an active wellness program. And then, of course, here most recently, we honored Suicide Awareness Month and ensure we have resources for our team there to be healthy mentally as well,” Nelson said.
GET INVOLVED
While Nelson is proud to be carrying on his wife’s family legacy of creating a thriving community by giving back, he said Lehman-Roberts is one of many companies.
“I could list off a dozen companies that are engaging in meaningful ways,” he said. “And I think that’s part of why I love this industry, it’s not just taking – but making sure it’s giving back, whether that’s through the way they treat employees, or the way they engage in their communities.”
Participating in the NAPA awards celebrates that work, serves as a badge of honor, and feeds the natural competitive nature of contractors.
“As contractors, we love to win: to have the project, the coolest plant, etc. We’re competitive by nature,” he said. “The program fosters healthy competition. When you see a competitor around the corner put up a big Diamond Achievement Award on the side of their silo, it represents the industry well.”
