Herman Young

Plant Manager, GATE-Kissimmee

“GATE cares about the welfare of their employees. They want everyone to go home the same way they came here. There’s also plenty of opportunities to advance and do better. GATE has always been that type of company.”

“GATE is a company that listens to their employees. They make them a part of the process and not just the result of the process. When I first came here, I was impressed by how upper management got to know us on a personal level, and truly wanted to know what we wanted from our time here.”

“The people and the work culture are truly special. We work as a team to solve problems and work through tough issues.”

Brandi Combs

Corporate Contracts Manager

“I’ve enjoyed the opportunities, possibilities and challenges that GATE has provided to me over the years. They’re an employer that rewards hard work. A little more than a year after joining the company as a Project Manager I was promoted to Senior Project Manager and a year and a half later, I was promoted to Business Manager/Senior Project Manager before eventually becoming Contracts Manager.

We take tremendous pride in our work here. There are so many amazing projects that GATE has built over the years, and I love being able to drive by those projects and say that we built that. And at GATE, everybody matters. During the pandemic, upper management worked hard to make sure we were considered essential workers so that we could keep our jobs, and every Friday they gave every employee a gift card to a local restaurant so that we were supporting the local community.”

Philip Goslinga

Assistant Plant Manager, GATE-Kissimmee

“We create amazing pieces of architectural precast in the Kissimmee plant. I love the challenge of a building that’s complicated and complex. Our plant has gotten away from some of the simpler stuff and we’re now creating a variety of complex designs.”

“The work environment here is great. GATE genuinely cares and takes care of its employees. They are generous with giving us time off when needed, and provide regular wage increases to remain competitive. They also challenge us by providing plenty of opportunities to advance … but it takes hard work. If you dedicate yourself and work hard, you have a chance to succeed.”

David Owen

Corporate Director of Quality

“After joining the Oxford plant as a Quality Control Technician some 28 years ago, I was impressed by how the GATE team recognizes and rewards their employees for hard work and dedication. I decided to take advantage of that, and within three years I had earned my PCI Levels 1 and 2 certifications, as well as my ACI certification. And in the early 2000s, I began to rise through the ranks, first as QC Manager, then Hollow Core Plant Superintendent and eventually Plant Manager in 2008. In 2023, another opportunity arose. The importance of quality in a precast plant cannot be overstated. It directly influences the safety, durability and overall success of construction projects. Implementing robust quality control measures is essential for us in order to produce high-performance precast concrete elements. For these reasons, I accepted the newly created position of Corporate Director of Quality.

At GATE, you’re not just a number. When my father passed away in 2006, they canceled a Monday staff meeting so that upper management could attend the funeral. There’s no doubt they truly care about their employees.”

Mark Ledkins

Vice President of Operations, Southern Division

“As a young man in 1989, I saw an opportunity to grow alongside GATE. It proved to be the right choice, as my career has paralleled the growth of our plant here in Monroeville. I’ve gone from working at a single plant to having the opportunity to manage multiple plants. Today, I look for opportunities to help those plants, and their personnel, grow.

Despite GATE being a large organization, though, there remains a feeling of belonging and family. Over the years, GATE has emphasized what’s best for their employees, not just the bottom line. We’re always looking for talented people willing to grow with us. We also encourage advancement within the company, at any age. I doubt you could advance as quickly in other large organizations.”