The #LewisChoice

Yenifer was introduced to the utility vegetation management industry by her uncles, both longtime professionals in the field. At the time, Yenifer was a single mother in college, juggling factory work and business degree classes.

When her uncle told her about an opportunity at Lewis, she was hesitant—she had never considered a career in the industry, let alone as a woman. But with encouragement, she took the leap, starting as a planner in 2011.

Her first day on the job was daunting. Walking into the parking lot and seeing 30 men, she felt out of place. "It was kind of scary," she recalls. "But the guys made me feel comfortable and helped me get adjusted." 

Everything was new - every process, every tool - but she committed herself to learning. Over time, she earned the respect of her colleagues, proving that dedication and effort were key to fitting in. "If you show your effort and earn respect from the team, it becomes easy to fit in."

Yenifer thrived at Lewis, rising through the ranks and mentoring other women who joined the company. Her story is not an exception - Lewis actively supports and encourages women to grow within its workforce, recognizing the value of an untapped labor pool. But after nearly 11 years, Lewis lost a contract she and her team were working on, and they had to move on. Leaving was emotional - "I cried because this was my second family," she admits. She didn’t know what to expect at a new company. Unfortunately, the differences were immediately clear. Training was lacking, and employee care didn’t seem to be a priority. "These guys do the hard work, and I want them to be taken care of," she says. She felt a strong responsibility to look after her team, training them the way she had been trained at Lewis, because she wanted them to be supported the right way.

Then, Lewis won the contract back. Yenifer’s former supervisor reached out, letting her know she was welcome to return, but without pressure. "He said, 'If you're being treated right over there and you feel comfortable, you're more than welcome to stay.'" She talked with her team - many of whom had also worked at Lewis before - and they all wanted to go back. True to the values she learned at Lewis, Yenifer insisted they finish their work properly before leaving. She believed in Lewis’ commitment to Job Done Right®, and it was important to her to uphold that standard, even while working elsewhere. "Doing it the 'Lewis way' was the only right way to finish."

Now, she and her team are back, and they couldn’t be happier. For Yenifer, Lewis stands apart because of one core value - caring. "At Lewis, you know they care about you as a person and about all of their employees," she explains. She sees it in the way leaders make employees feel comfortable, the way safety teams prioritize well-being, and the strong bonds among colleagues. With long workdays and weeks that sometimes stretch to six days, she spends more time with her co-workers than her own family, and at Lewis, that time is spent among people who genuinely care about one another.

When asked what she would say to someone considering a job at Lewis, her answer is simple - "It's safe. You know we care. Lewis cares about everybody. Lewis is the right place." Check out other #LewisChoice videos here and subscribe to our #LewisChoice channel! 

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