Lexicon, Inc. Celebrates Largest Graduating Class of Industrial Maintenance Technicians

Lexicon, Inc. Celebrates Largest Graduating Class of Industrial Maintenance Technicians
Twenty-seven employees complete one-of-a-kind Arkansas workforce development program
 
LITTLE ROCK, Ark., (Jan. 17, 2025) – Today, Lexicon, Inc., recognized the second cohort to graduate from the company’s one-of-a-kind industrial maintenance technician program during a celebratory luncheon and ceremony. Mike Rogers, chief workforce officer for the State of Arkansas, joined Lexicon executives in addressing and honoring program graduates.
 
Developed in 2023 as a workforce development training partnership between Lexicon and Arkansas Northeastern College (ANC), the industrial maintenance technician program is part of Lexicon University (Lex U), an initiative that provides employees with the tools to improve in their current jobs, develop skills in another field and build a career path that leads to success for themselves and their families. The program is paid for by Lexicon and is available to all their employees, companies and divisions. Lex U is divided into three training curricula depending on the employee’s position – professional, management and trades – to allow employees to build the successful careers they want while also building America.
 
“Our people are the foundation of everything we do at Lexicon, and investing in their growth is part of our commitment to putting them first,” said Patrick Schueck, CEO of Lexicon, Inc. “Lex U and specifically the industrial maintenance technician program, is a testament to that commitment, providing our employees with the skills and confidence to advance their careers in a demanding and vital industry while also meeting the workforce needs of the state. We’re grateful for the educational partnership with ANC and the training they offer to our team members. We’re immensely proud of our second graduating class of industrial maintenance technicians, and thank Mike Rogers for joining us in honoring them.” 
 
Since its founding in 1968, Lexicon has provided vital steel industry jobs across the state. With around 2,000 team members – including 800 in Central Arkansas and 1,000 across six locations in Northeast Arkansas – the company invests tens of millions of dollars into the state’s workforce.
 
The industrial maintenance technician program at ANC includes three levels of rigorous classroom and hands-on courses that address the specialized needs of maintaining and operating steel fabrication and construction machinery. Students complete the program equipped to handle the challenges of modern steel construction, from maintaining fine precision to ensuring operational efficiency.
 
“At Arkansas Northeastern College, we are proud to collaborate with innovative companies like Lexicon to ensure our training programs meet the evolving needs of today’s workforce,” said Dr. Christopher Heigle, president of ANC. “By working with us to develop the industrial maintenance technician program, Lexicon continues to demonstrate a forward-thinking commitment to both its employees and the broader industry. It’s an honor to support and celebrate these graduates as they achieve this milestone.”
 
Mike Rogers, the state’s first-ever chief workforce officer, addressed graduates and underscored the value of their dedication to the industry and their careers. 
“I am thrilled to celebrate the achievements of these steel manufacturing athletes. That might sound like a strange way to describe industrial maintenance technicians, but it takes one to know one. Having spent the majority of my life in the industrial maintenance sector, I have lived the expectations of this position,” said Rogers. “Lexicon knows the value of a trained, competent and empowered workforce. I have spent time with their leaders and have grown to respect their heart and dedication to their folks and the skilled trades. The steel industry is vital to Arkansas and the nation – on many levels. I love what we are building in Arkansas.” 
 
Twenty-seven students comprise the second cohort of industrial maintenance technician program graduates. During the ceremony, graduates received a certificate – forged in steel – and were declared certified industrial maintenance technicians. 
 
Program graduates, who represented Lexicon locations in Arkansas and across the nation, included: 
 

• NESTOR BORREGO – Roadhand, Multiple sites
• CHRISTOPHER BRISBY – Roadhand, Multiple sites
• TIM BRYANT – Nucor, Decatur, Ala.
• JESSIE CANTRELL – Roadhand, Multiple sites
• EZEKIEL FLORES – Roadhand, Multiple sites
• SANTIAGO LOPEZ GALVAN – Roadhand, Multiple sites
• LUIS GARZA – Roadhand, Multiple sites
• ROEL GARZA – Roadhand, Multiple sites
• FREDDY GUARDADO – Custom Metals, Little Rock
• LUIS HERNANDEZ – Roadhand, Multiple sites
• JOHN KORRESSELL – Nucor, Brandenburg, Ky.
• JUAN LOPEZ – Roadhand, Multiple sites
• LUIS MARTINEZ – Custom Metals, Little Rock
• ROBERT MATTHEWS, JR. – Nucor, Ahoskie, N.C.
• JOSE OLIVAREZ – Roadhand, Multiple sites
• HUMBERTO ONTIVEROS – Roadhand, Multiple sites
• TYLER PROTESTIO – Nucor, Decatur, Ala.
• HECTOR REYES – Roadhand, Multiple sites
• SANTIAGO LOPEZ RODRIGUEZ – Roadhand, Multiple sites
• VICTOR SALDANA – Custom Metals, Little Rock
• EVA SMITH – Steel Dynamics, Sinton, Texas
• SAM SMITH – Nucor Berkeley, Huger, S.C.
• ALBERTO SOLIS – Steel Dynamics, Sinton, Texas
• NICHOLAS STEWART – Roadhand, Multiple sites
• DAWSON TANKSLEY – Roadhand, Multiple sites
• JAIME TIJERINA – Roadhand, Multiple sites
• RAMIRO URZUA – Roadhand, Multiple sites