Eddy Mead

Special Thanks To Eddy Mead, Foreman with 24 Years of Dedication to W.B. Hopke Co.

W.B. Hopke would like to thank foreman, Eddy Mead for devoting 24 years of his life working at Hopke. It is important that we recognize Eddy’s efforts and acknowledge him as a crucial part of our growing team. This article will also provide direction to our newer employees as they embark on a lifetime career path at Hopke. Here’s Eddy’s story.

Eddy Mead has worked in the wet and dry utilities business for most of his life. He started as a young man working for a small pipe laying company in St. Mary’s County. When the owner became sick and decided to shut down the business, Eddy responded to an ad in the newspaper and applied for a job with W.B. Hopke. At that time Hopke had about 5 crews.

Eddy has actually worked for Hopke twice during in his career totaling 28 years. Officially Eddy began working for Hopke in 1982 starting as a laborer. From 1982 to 1987 he took on more roles including pipe layer, loader operator and running the excavator. Then in 1987, Eddy’s dad passed away suddenly, so he had to leave Hopke to help his mom run their family business. “My parents owned a liquor store and when my dad passed, it was a lot on my mom, so me and my brothers took on the family business,” he said.

In March 2000, Eddy returned to Hopke and took an operator position. Eddy said, “I was asked to come back and be a foreman, but I wanted to get readjusted to construction work, so I requested the operator position. I think Frank Hopke hired me the second time around. I went to the Hopke main office to visit, and left word I was interested in coming back, and the next thing I knew Frank called me and asked me when I could start. I’ve been with Hopke ever since.”

As a Hopke Foreman, Eddy has numerous responsibilities and duties, and when asked what he does, he said, “What doesn’t a foreman do? I assess the job and make sure that my team has everything they need to keep the job going or to get it started. I plan ahead, train the younger guys. I’m heavily involved in the safety requirements and procedures, as every project is different to one degree or another, and I make sure we have the proper equipment to do the work properly.”

Eddy enjoys his work and working outdoors with his team. He likes the challenge that each project brings. “It used to be just laying pipe. Now we install large underground storm and drainage systems, and we have to figure out how to get some of these humongous systems in the ground. Every project has its unique set of challenges. It may be the complexity of the project or scheduling and juggling staff. The work doesn’t wait. We have to keep the projects moving.”

When asked about what he likes most about working for W.B. Hopke, Eddy said, “Unlike the really big employers, where you’re just another number, at Hopke, everyone knows your name. It is a family run business and I know that if I really need something professionally or personally, the Hopkes will figure out a way to accommodate me. I do my best to take care of the Hopkes and in return they take care of me. I broke my leg a while back, and Frank Hopke and Chuck Johnson reached out several times to see how I was doing and to see if I needed anything. Not many owners of a business this size would take the time to do something like that. That really means something to an employee,” said Eddy. “As a family run business, everyone including the owners have more heart and skin in the game.”

In his 28 years with the company, Eddy has installed eight pump stations, which is probably a record for most employees. He has learned to run all kinds of equipment and stated that there’s always more he can learn to do each day.

When asked what advice he would pass on to the newer crew members, his advice was clear. He said, “Do your job and do it well. Learn whatever you can from your bosses and others. If you do that, the Hopkes will keep moving you up the ladder. They will bring you along. It really is up to the employee to put themselves out to move forward. The Hopkes notice that effort…and will help them to succeed. They are fair and honest owners. They believe in the old saying — a fair day’s pay, for a fair day’s work. It has been that way since I began at Hopke, and they have stayed true to their word.”

Eddy and his significant other, Caroline, have been together for many years. They have two boys John and Justin, both of whom have worked for Hopke. Eddy is both a grandfather and a great grandfather. He enjoys his Harley Davidson motorcycle and taking trips to see new places, but he is not much for the big commercial bike gatherings. He also enjoys hunting and crabbing in his spare time.

“There have been numerous challenging projects at Hopke, but the one that stands out most to me is working on the Bolling Airforce Base Project. It is located right next to the river, so the water table there comes into play. I had to put in another pump station which was a challenge. I give much of the credit to Chuck Johnson. Chuck understands what a job entails and was able to offer me direction whenever I needed it,” said Eddy.

W.B. Hopke would like to thank Eddy for telling us his story and playing such a crucial role in our company as we continue to grow.

Contact W.B. Hopke about a career in utility installation and site work at 703-971-0404 or info@wbhopke.com.