Our employee of the month series, Blueprint for Excellence, shines a spotlight on our team members who go above and beyond, lead by example, and champion our core values in everything they do. Enrique “Ricky” Villegas is a great example of what that looks like in action in his role as an Equipment Operator.
Ricky has been part of the team for about two years, and in that time, he has built a reputation for stepping up, staying engaged, and continuing to grow his skillset. Early on, he took on operating the shuttle buggy and has continued expanding his capabilities across the team ever since.
Today, Ricky serves as a versatile member of the team and someone who can step into just about any role when needed. Whether he’s operating the roller or working the screed on a paver, he approaches each responsibility with focus and confidence. That kind of progress in a short time has not gone unnoticed.
“Seeing Ricky take on new equipment and develop his skills the way he has in two years is impressive,” shared Tyler Reed, a fellow member of the Franklin team. “He’s attentive, observant, and quick to learn. He’s always looking out for his team, especially around moving equipment. He watches out for both the crew and traffic and always has their backs.”
That awareness for others shows up in Ricky’s commitment to safety as well. He is not afraid to speak up and remind the team about PPE. He truly understands that looking out for one another is part of doing the job the right way.
Ricky’s foreman, Hunter Franklin, has seen his growth firsthand. “He’s taken on operating the shuttle buggy and continued building his skillset from there. He’s really engaged when it comes to the project and likes to understand the full details of what his tasks are for the day. A lot of times, he’ll try to work through things on his own first, but he’s always willing to ask for guidance and find ways to keep growing.”
That curiosity and drive to improve reflect Ricky’s commitment to our core values of stewardship and excellence. He takes ownership of his work, puts in the effort to understand the bigger picture, and looks for ways to contribute beyond what is expected.
“Every strong crew has that one person you can count on no matter what, and for us, that’s Enrique Villegas,” Hunter remarked. “Day in and day out, he shows up with a mindset focused on getting the job done right, supporting others, and keeping the team moving forward.”
“Enrique consistently goes above and beyond,” added Woody Franklin, Assistant Superintendent. “He is always willing to step up, take initiative, and do whatever needs to be done to get the job done right. His hard work, dedication, and team-first attitude make him truly deserving of Employee of the Month.”
Ricky’s journey is a clear example of what happens when determination meets opportunity. His willingness to learn, his focus on safety, and his commitment to his team make a lasting impact on every job he is part of.
Lehman-Roberts is a wholly owned subsidiary of Granite Construction. Learn more at https://www.graniteconstruction.com/company/our-brands.