We are building a workplace where individuals and teams succeed, one that fills us with purpose, one that is inviting to join, and one where our people come first. In this way, we are the workers of ColonialWebb!
Hai, a skilled Sheet Metal Mechanic, recently marked an incredible milestone—his 25th work anniversary at ColonialWebb. Originally from Vietnam, Hai came to the United States 25 years ago with his wife and two children. He began his career at ColonialWebb after his brother-in-law recommended the company, and since then, he has built a remarkable life here. Over the years, his children have grown up, with one now working as a nurse and the other as a volleyball coach at a university in New Jersey. Hai is also the proud grandfather of two, with a third on the way.
Hai enjoys working at ColonialWebb for a multitude of reasons, but his favorite aspect of ColonialWebb is the happy working environment. Having spent 25 years at ColonialWebb, Hai has found a successful career here. Throughout his entire career, Hai has maintained a willingness to learn. At ColonialWebb, this has greatly helped his career. If you are willing to learn, you can always continue to learn more about your craft at ColonialWebb. Another value that particularly resonates with Hai is ColonialWebb’s emphasis on safety. It’s important to keep safety a priority so you can return home the same way that you came to work.
One of Hai’s most memorable moments on the job was when he was called upon to resolve an issue for an unhappy client. His efforts not only fixed the problem but also turned the situation around, resulting in a satisfied customer. His hard work did not go unnoticed, as management treated him to a special lunch in recognition of his efforts.
Outside of work, Hai values time with his family and grandchildren. He also enjoys working on projects at home. He likes to stay busy, fixing and renovating things for friends and loved ones. He’s also actively involved with the Vietnamese temple on Sundays. He helps with cooking, cleaning, and fixing things for the temple and community.
For new employees starting at ColonialWebb, Hai would give them the following pieces of advice: practice safety, have good time management, and never stop learning.
In this month’s edition of “Celebrating Our People,” we’re highlighting Josiah Royer, an Engineering Team Leader at ColonialWebb.
Josiah graduated from Pensacola Christian College in 2012 with a degree in Mechanical engineering. Although he hadn’t originally planned to pursue a career in refrigeration, life took a different turn when he joined ColonialWebb’s Industrial Refrigeration team the same year. His connection to the company came through his college, leading him to move to Virginia—despite having no ties to the state. Everything unfolded quickly for Josiah: he graduated on May 5th, started his job at ColonialWebb on May 20th, and married his wife on June 16th, all in 2012.
Josiah credits certain mentors with greatly contributing to his success in the Industrial refrigeration industry. Through these mentors, both previous employees of ColonialWebb, Josiah learned what deemed drawings “acceptable.” Josiah soon found that ColonialWebb is a workplace where you can continuously expand your knowledge in your chosen field. This very commitment to continuous learning and growth provided Josiah with numerous opportunities to further develop his knowledge. These included technical trainings and conferences, all of which expanded his understanding of systems.
When asked to describe himself, Josiah called himself a “thinker.” In his free time, he enjoys the interior world of thought and ideas. He enjoys figuring people out, and learning what makes them who they are, whether that be certain values or religion. Josiah draws a parallel between understanding people and mastering industrial refrigeration: once you grasp the fundamentals, the bigger ideas fall into place. Even outside the office, he’s constantly analyzing how things work, always seeking to deepen his understanding of the world around him.
Another quality of ColonialWebb that Josiah particularly resonates with is the importance of integrity. During his time at ColonialWebb, he has seen the company strive to get things done right, regardless of time or cost. If something goes wrong on a job, they will never back out. Josiah reflects on an early challenge in his career when a manufacturer made incorrect assumptions about a piece of equipment, leading to a project that took more time and resources than expected. Despite the setback, ColonialWebb stood by his side, ensuring the project was completed successfully. He shares that ColonialWebb could have blamed him for the mistake, but instead, they chose to support him, allowing him to learn and grow from the experience.
As the example above demonstrates, an essential part of working as an engineer is accepting human imperfection. One of Josiah’s favorite quotes reflects this principle:
“It is in our nature to want to blame a human when things go wrong. But individual human errors are unavoidable. Simply telling people not to make any mistakes is a naive way to try to avoid accidents and disasters.”
-Humble Pi, Matt Parker, Ch. 9.49
While it’s difficult to embrace that idea, engineers must continually have others look over their shoulders. Inevitably, someone will always catch a mistake. Engineering isn’t just about getting everything right the first time; it’s about learning from mistakes and improving through feedback. Teamwork and constant tweaking are what pushes things forward and keeps everything running smoothly.
Looking back, Josiah has learned a lot from the ups and downs in his career. One of his standout memories is from when he stood on the rooftop of a refrigeration center in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. As he looked out over the building, taking in all the equipment he had designed and helped bring to life, it hit him—he had shaped everything in view. “It was a very cool feeling,” Josiah recalls, a moment that reminded him of just how rewarding his work truly is.
KJ’s path to the construction industry began with her studies in Building Construction at Virginia Tech. Before joining ColonialWebb, she gained valuable experience as an intern at HITT. It was during this time that a Senior Project Manager she worked closely with saw her potential and later recommended ColonialWebb as a great place to further her career. Following this recommendation, KJ connected with Nathan Wethington, which ultimately led her to begin her professional journey at ColonialWebb.
Starting as a Project Engineer, KJ quickly made her mark. Within her first year, she earned a promotion to Project Manager, where she took the lead on a major project, QTS RIC1 DC4,DC5,DC6.
KJ finds many aspects of her work at ColonialWebb rewarding, but one of the most significant contributors to her success is her team. Her supervisor, Chris Clement, along with Ronald Cook and Matt Mann, provide daily encouragement and support, championing her achievements every step of the way. They also like to keep things fun, whether that’s by going to team lunches on Fridays, White Elephant gatherings over the holidays, or hosting their own baby showers for team members who are expecting!
KJ proudly highlights that at ColonialWebb, from the office to the field, everyone is committed to excellence and takes care of one another. Those working off-site value the hard work of field workers, recognizing that every team member plays a vital role in the success of a project, regardless of their location.
As a woman in the construction industry, KJ acknowledges the challenges that can arise. However, with the support of her team, she is consistently reminded of her worth, which has boosted her confidence and comfort in the field. She wants to remind other women in construction to not get discouraged and know that respect is earned through the quality of your work and the product you output.
KJ pours her heart into everything she does, whether at home with her family or at work. To ensure she has quality time with her family in the afternoons, she starts her workday early and makes the most of every moment. Managing data centers demands ColonialWebb’s core value of “Urgency,” requiring quick thinking while upholding the highest standards of safety and quality.
When she’s done with work and at home, family is a huge priority. One of KJ’s favorite family outings is going to Kings Dominion and riding rollercoasters. Some of her other interests include trying new restaurants, going to the beach, and country music!
For this month’s edition of “Celebrating Our People,” we’re highlighting Chris Simmons, a rising star at ColonialWebb. Chris recently won first place in the Plumbing Competition at the local ABC Craft Competition, and along with teammates Salvador Acosta and Donnie Ozmore, will represent us at the 2025 National Craft Championships in Las Vegas this February.
Chris’s journey to ColonialWebb began in an unexpected place – a car dealership. Encouraged by his friend and longtime teammate Devon Kellum, Chris took a leap of faith and embarked on a new career. In just two years, he’s gone from learning the ropes to leading his peers. His rapid growth is a testament to his dedication and the support of a team that feels like family – literally. Since Chris joined ColonialWebb, his uncle and twin brother have also come aboard, making the workplace a true family affair.
Off the clock, Chris is a hands-on problem solver with a passion for anything mechanical. He loves tinkering with cars and frequently visits Busco Beach in North Carolina, enjoying the drag strips, mudholes, and races.
Chris’s life hasn’t always been easy, and he draws strength from his experiences. After losing his best friend to overdose, he found a new purpose in helping others. He volunteers by bringing messages of hope to jails, speaking to families and victims of addiction, and letting them know they’re not alone.
When it comes to work-life balance, Chris has a unique perspective. “Success at work and at home go hand in hand,” he says. This outlook has guided him as he builds a future for himself and his family, a journey that took an exciting turn this Christmas when he proposed to his girlfriend—she said yes!
Looking back on his proudest moment at ColonialWebb, Chris points to winning the ABC Craft Competition. “For someone who grew up not winning much, this wasn’t just a trophy—it was proof of what I can achieve,” he explains. But even that moment doesn’t top his personal victory: “When my girl said yes, that was the happiest day of my life.”
Of our four values, Chris says “Urgency” stands out to him. Whether it’s meeting project deadlines or helping teammates in need, he sees this shared focus as key to their success. “Nobody gets left behind,” he says. “If someone is struggling, there’s an urgency to step in and help.”
Asked about his advice for new teammates, Chris emphasizes humility and adaptability. “Stay humble, show up to work, advocate for yourself, and ask for help,” he says. “There are no big I’s and no little you’s here. The industry is always changing, so staying teachable is important.”
Chris, Salvador, and Donnie will take the national stage at ABC Nationals on February 25th and 26th. If you see them around, be sure to wish them luck as they represent ColonialWebb with pride!
Mauricio’s connection with ColonialWebb runs deep, with his father and three brothers preceding him in service to the company, all specializing in sheet metal work. This family legacy emphasizes the strong family bonds valued by Mauricio’s Hispanic heritage. Mauricio mentions that Hispanics take great pride in their close-knit family units, which serve as a driving force for success in their professional careers.
In high school, Mauricio faced a choice of electives, dreaming of becoming an automotive technician. But the only options available were barbering, culinary arts, and HVAC. Even though he didn’t know much about HVAC—he didn’t even know what the acronym stood for—he decided to give it a try. To his surprise, he found he really liked it and chose to continue with the HVAC program for a second year.
After high school, Mauricio’s older brother brought him on board at ColonialWebb. Mauricio jumped into the ABC school, started his apprenticeship, and eventually worked his way up to supervisor. His journey really highlights how having a supportive family and working hard can make a big difference in achieving career success.
Mauricio pointed out that some Hispanics who come to this country arrive with the mindset that they are not good enough to advance in the company or feel like they will not be able to take on the responsibility of overseeing a project. Mauricio wanted to share his story to let everyone know that, regardless of their background or where they come from, they can achieve anything as long as they work hard and set their mind to it.
Fun Fact: One of Mauricio’s favorite family traditions is enjoying Tamales at Christmastime.
This month we’re highlighting Salvador Acosta, a Start-up technician who recently won 1st place in the ABC Craft Competition for HVAC.
Before joining ColonialWebb, Salvador worked as a cook. A recommendation from a dental hygienist introduced him to ColonialWebb, and the rest is history. “[They] told me about plumbing, so I put in an application and got started,” he shared. For his first few years at ColonialWebb, Salvador worked in new Construction as a plumber. Recently, he switched over to HVAC.
For Salvador, his work is deeply rooted in purpose. “I do it for my family, for our future. I do it for myself because I enjoy what I do, and I do it for my kids,” he says. He mentions that he felt as if God gave him a second chance with leading him to ColonialWebb.
When he’s not working, Salvador enjoys fishing, hunting, and spending time in nature. Growing up with a passion for sports, he now focuses on mastering HVAC and becoming the best technician he can be. “I’m always working on myself—becoming a better person and technician,” he said. Being new to the craft, he’s trying to learn as much as he can.
Family is everything for Salvador. He doesn’t prefer to take work home. He gives his undivided attention to his family as often as he can. He adds that starting a family with his wife has been fun. They can create new traditions together. One tradition they started is adding a new ornament to the Christmas tree every year. They also enjoy hosting friends and family for gatherings.
When asked which company value resonates most, safety was at the forefront. He mentions his recent ABC Craft Competition win and expresses that “safety helped [him] win. The company cares about you. You want to go home the same way you came to work.” Beyond that, he praises the culture, calling it “amazing,” with relationships that feel like family.
Salvador’s favorite aspect of working at ColonialWebb is the people. “The relationships you build—we’re around these people every day. Everyone is here to get a job done, and a lot of my coworkers are my friends.”
For new employees, his advice is simple: “Show up. Do your best. Have the integrity to do well when nobody is watching. Respect those who show up on time and try their best.”
Reflecting on his time at ColonialWebb, Salvador recalls winning first place in a competition as a personal highlight. “I didn’t expect to get first. I was just trying to do my best. To go home with a trophy gave me a lot of confidence,” he shared. Salvador says he sometimes struggles with confidence. However, all the extra time he spent learning how HVAC equipment works has paid off and given him a big boost. Being one of the finalists in the competition, Salvador is advancing to Nationals in Las Vegas. He’s extremely excited as he has never been to the West Coast.
We’re grateful and proud to have a dedicated teammate like Salvador at ColonialWebb. We wish him the best at Nationals!
