👷 Meet Joey – 20+ Years Behind the Scenes

If you’ve ever picked up a set of giant AEC/construction plans from Lawton, chances are Joey helped make it happen. For over 20 years (on and off), he’s been an essential part of our back-of-house crew—printing large-format plans and keeping important records safe through scanning and archiving.

Joey first got his start with Lawton back in 1998. “Actually, my mom got me a driving position at Lawton,” he says. From there he worked his way up in the company, learning the ropes of print production and finding his place in the shop.

What’s kept him here over the years? For Joey, it comes down to the people at the top and the way they treat their team. He remembers Ms. Lawton fondly as an owner who always looked out for employees, from company picnics to annual dinners. He’s quick to praise Greg Howard for his vision in promoting and expanding the company, and for always keeping pace with new technology in the industry. And Gary, he says, is “absolutely a great manager” who makes sure deadlines are met while keeping communication smooth. “Communication is the key,” Joey says. “With him as manager, everything runs right.”

To Joey, Lawton is unique because it feels like family. “A lot of people here I’ve worked with for years, and throughout the years this place has been my second home.” He’s seen the work evolve—from blueprint printing to scanning and now handing files off on thumb drives—but the family atmosphere has never changed.

And of course, no story is complete without a laugh. Joey recalls one day at the front counter when a former coworker, Ron, showed up in short shorts that were just a little too short. “Chris Daniels said, ‘Oh God, put those away!’ and that was the last day of short shorts above the knees. We all busted out laughing.”

Outside of work, Joey enjoys umpiring ballgames, spending time with his family, heading to the fair or the movies, watching Storage Wars, and of course, baseball. He’s steady, reliable, and always brings a good attitude into the shop.

We’re grateful for Joey’s dedication, his humor, and the sense of family he helps create here. He’s one of those people who makes Lawton feel like home—and we couldn’t do what we do without him.