September 23, 2023 • 8 mins
Louis Cortez is the president of Earthworm Construction, which is based out of Galion, Ohio. The company has been in operation since 1978 and does projects in about a 50 mile radius of their headquarters. Louis was born in Toledo and went to High School at River Valley. He is married with 5 kids and enjoys camping in his spare time. Learn everything his business does and more on the podcast.
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Episode Transcript
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(00:00):
The CEO you should know, broughtto you by Robie Foster Miller Eric Insurance.
This week's CEO Lewis Cortez, presidentof Earthworm Construction. Today, we're
going to shine the spotlight locally onLewis Cortez and Earthworm Construction. Lewis,
(00:22):
Good morning, Thanks for taking timefor us. How are you today,
Good morning, I'm doing well.Thank you. All right, Well,
I've heard the name Earthworm Construction.Could we begin there, Lewis, could
you tell us a little bit.You are the president of Earthworm Construction.
Could you tell us kind of anoverview of what you guys do? Tell
us about you guys. So,Earthlow Construction has been around since nineteen seventy
(00:45):
eight. We do asphalt paving,chip and seal, seal coding, parking
lot striping, crack filling, anythingto do with your asphalt, parking lot,
roadways, driveways, that kind ofthing. All right, Now,
you men been around since nineteen seventyeight. Where are you guys located at
in the area. We are locatedat three four three eight Saint Route three
(01:11):
oh nine in Galleon, Ohio.All right, so located in Galleon.
Now, how about the reach doyou guys, you know, how far
do you stretch across the area interms of how far do you go to
do projects? So we're typically abouta forty five to fifty mile radius from
our headquarters in Gayan. Now,in terms of maybe some projects locally,
(01:32):
I was on your website, couldyou share with us? I think I
saw maybe a local school different thanks, talk about some of the projects.
Maybe people might know that you guyshave done. So, Yes, absolutely,
we Northmore schools, Pleasant schools,Elgin Schools do a lot of roadways
for Richland County, Marion County,and various townships throughout the areas. Lewis.
(01:56):
In terms of the time of theyear, I'm sure you know summer
and things like that are really reallybusy. Is there a certain time when
when you guys are busier than othersor is it all your round kind of
thing? So we typically start aboutthe third week of April and run through
Thanksgiving. That's a general rule ofthumb. Our peak season is usually about
(02:16):
July one through September thirtieth. Thatis when we are really really busy.
Now, speaking to being busy whenit comes to wintertime, did I see
snow removal and things like that.Did you do you guys do that as
well. We do do snow removaland ice management. So if somebody you
(02:37):
know, interested in any of yourservices, what's the best way to go
about it? Do they just goto the website, phone number that those
kind of things to be able toreach out. So our office number is
four one nine four six eight fivezero seven six. Our web address is
earthworm Construction dot com. All right, you're hearing the voice this morning of
(03:00):
Lewis Cortez, who is the presidentof Earthworm Construction this week CEO. You
should know as we learn about theirbusiness. Lewis you mentioned it's been going
on since the late nineteen seventies andserving people all across the region. I'm
assuming if somebody is interested, they'dwant to reach out. I'm assuming right.
(03:21):
Tell us how it works, getan estimate. How does all that
work? To get the ball rollingwith that? So we offer free estimates.
We offer a one year guarantee onall our services. You can just
call the office like I said,or visit the website. You can request
an estimate on the website. We'llcome out, we'll take a look,
get your proposal. Lewis, youmentioned doing some schools, like parking lots
(03:43):
in roadways. I guess when youtalk about those kind of things, you
also do. I guess if therewas any type of cracks, need feeling
and things like that, you guysdo all of that, if you would
kind of do an overview of that. So, yes, we do do
Preventative maintenance is what we call that. Ideally you want to keep the water
from penetrating the surface. So wewould come in bill the cracks steel coaded.
All right, So good to learnabout that and how all of that
(04:05):
works. Lewis Cortez is with us. Let's step away from work and find
out a little bit more about you, President of Earthworm Construction, Lewis,
Let's step back to the beginning andfind out where was Lewis Cortez born.
I was born in Toledo, Ohio. All right, So born in northwest
Ohio. Next, if you wouldtell us where'd you go to high school?
(04:27):
I graduated from River Valley, Allright? Tell us, you know,
you know, if you would youmentioned after high school kind of you
know where all you've worked and howyou got to Earthworm Construction. I was
called the highlights along the way tellus a little bit after college. So
I after school, I started anasphalt maintenance business in nineteen ninety five,
(04:48):
and basically we did the preventative maintenance, steal coating, crack filling, striping,
that kind of thing to take careof the investment. Lewis, did
you know growing up you know whatyou wanted to do? How did you
actually get involved in this business?What were you thinking growing up going to
high school? Things like that.So I was actually a German carpenter by
(05:10):
trade, so I've done a lotof buildings that kind of thing, and
then just I don't know, oneday just about this would be a great
adventure, and my wife and Iin twenty and twelve purchased the business from
Dan Bustler, the originator, andhere we are ten years later. All
right, we'll glad, yeah,glad to learn about that now, Lewis.
(05:32):
Can I ask you, in termsof a parking lot or maybe something
like that, how long do thosetypically last? I'm sure it depends on
you know, salt and just youknow, how you know, ruffle of
a winner, I guess I wouldsay would be. But roughly how long
do surfaces last when when you cometo Ashfall, general rules, Thomas about
and the fifteen years. Well,Lewis, I heard you say wife,
(05:55):
So next I want to ask youtell us a little bit more about Lewis
quartet in the family. So marriedwith five children, my business partner Karen,
and our oldest son Dominic, thenBradley, Selina, Marcus and Sicilia.
All right, so I'm sure busywith work family and you mentioned five
(06:16):
kids. Do you have any hobbieswhen you're not working? What do you
like to do in your spare time? We love to camp. I enjoy
camping. It's our time to getaway and tell stories by the fire.
All right, terrific to hear aboutthat, now, Lewis, couple of
things quickly before I let you goagain. Lewis Cortez is with us via
the telephone. This week's CEO.You should know he is the president of
(06:38):
Earthworm Construction. I'm sure this canvary, Lewis, in terms of the
time of year, maybe even aproject. How many staff members do you
guys have at Earthworm Construction? Weaverage twenty to twenty five employees, and
I'm sure with certain jobs it takesmore people, right in terms of depending
(06:58):
on how big of a job.It is absolutely all right. Well,
Lewis, before I let you go, I wanted to kind of give you
a moment to if somebody wants againin contact with you. I know we
threw out the website a little bitearlier, but encourage them. You know
I was on your website. It'searthworm Construction dot com. They really can
see some of the work you guyshave done, you know, a lot
of experience and things like that.Encourage them if you would to head to
(07:21):
your website and how they can getthe ball rolling. If they want to
have you guys and you know,do something for them. Absolutely give us
a call like I said, fourone nine four six eight five zero seven
six, or shoot us a messageon our email address earthworm construction dot com.
All right again, you heard thewebsite there, earthworm construction dot com.
(07:42):
They've been going strong since what nineteenseventy eight, based out of Galleon
and doing a lot of great workin the area. Check out the website
for more information. Again this week, CEO, you should know Lewis Cortez,
president of Earthworm Construction. Well,Lewis, been great to learn about
your business. Thanks for joining us. Congratulations on all the great years and
(08:03):
we wish you continued success. Thanksfor being here. Thank you, Aaron
Lewis Cortez, President of Earthworm Construction, the CEO you should know. Read
a bio, see a photo,and hear the extended interview at WMNFM dot
com. Leading means having a visionin sharing it with others. I'm John
(08:24):
Roby of r F and ME Insurance. We're excited to bring you this program
featuring CEOs from our area who willshare the thoughts of what it means to
work and live in north central Ohio.
The CEO you should know, broughtto you by Robie Foster Miller Eric Insurance.
This week's CEO Lewis Cortez, presidentof Earthworm Construction. Today, we're
going to shine the spotlight locally onLewis Cortez and Earthworm Construction. Lewis,
(00:22):
Good morning, Thanks for taking timefor us. How are you today,
Good morning, I'm doing well.Thank you. All right, Well,
I've heard the name Earthworm Construction.Could we begin there, Lewis, could
you tell us a little bit.You are the president of Earthworm Construction.
Could you tell us kind of anoverview of what you guys do? Tell
us about you guys. So,Earthlow Construction has been around since nineteen seventy
(00:45):
eight. We do asphalt paving,chip and seal, seal coding, parking
lot striping, crack filling, anythingto do with your asphalt, parking lot,
roadways, driveways, that kind ofthing. All right, Now,
you men been around since nineteen seventyeight. Where are you guys located at
in the area. We are locatedat three four three eight Saint Route three
(01:11):
oh nine in Galleon, Ohio.All right, so located in Galleon.
Now, how about the reach doyou guys, you know, how far
do you stretch across the area interms of how far do you go to
do projects? So we're typically abouta forty five to fifty mile radius from
our headquarters in Gayan. Now,in terms of maybe some projects locally,
(01:32):
I was on your website, couldyou share with us? I think I
saw maybe a local school different thanks, talk about some of the projects.
Maybe people might know that you guyshave done. So, Yes, absolutely,
we Northmore schools, Pleasant schools,Elgin Schools do a lot of roadways
for Richland County, Marion County,and various townships throughout the areas. Lewis.
(01:56):
In terms of the time of theyear, I'm sure you know summer
and things like that are really reallybusy. Is there a certain time when
when you guys are busier than othersor is it all your round kind of
thing? So we typically start aboutthe third week of April and run through
Thanksgiving. That's a general rule ofthumb. Our peak season is usually about
(02:16):
July one through September thirtieth. Thatis when we are really really busy.
Now, speaking to being busy whenit comes to wintertime, did I see
snow removal and things like that.Did you do you guys do that as
well. We do do snow removaland ice management. So if somebody you
(02:37):
know, interested in any of yourservices, what's the best way to go
about it? Do they just goto the website, phone number that those
kind of things to be able toreach out. So our office number is
four one nine four six eight fivezero seven six. Our web address is
earthworm Construction dot com. All right, you're hearing the voice this morning of
(03:00):
Lewis Cortez, who is the presidentof Earthworm Construction this week CEO. You
should know as we learn about theirbusiness. Lewis you mentioned it's been going
on since the late nineteen seventies andserving people all across the region. I'm
assuming if somebody is interested, they'dwant to reach out. I'm assuming right.
(03:21):
Tell us how it works, getan estimate. How does all that
work? To get the ball rollingwith that? So we offer free estimates.
We offer a one year guarantee onall our services. You can just
call the office like I said,or visit the website. You can request
an estimate on the website. We'llcome out, we'll take a look,
get your proposal. Lewis, youmentioned doing some schools, like parking lots
(03:43):
in roadways. I guess when youtalk about those kind of things, you
also do. I guess if therewas any type of cracks, need feeling
and things like that, you guysdo all of that, if you would
kind of do an overview of that. So, yes, we do do
Preventative maintenance is what we call that. Ideally you want to keep the water
from penetrating the surface. So wewould come in bill the cracks steel coaded.
All right, So good to learnabout that and how all of that
(04:05):
works. Lewis Cortez is with us. Let's step away from work and find
out a little bit more about you, President of Earthworm Construction, Lewis,
Let's step back to the beginning andfind out where was Lewis Cortez born.
I was born in Toledo, Ohio. All right, So born in northwest
Ohio. Next, if you wouldtell us where'd you go to high school?
(04:27):
I graduated from River Valley, Allright? Tell us, you know,
you know, if you would youmentioned after high school kind of you
know where all you've worked and howyou got to Earthworm Construction. I was
called the highlights along the way tellus a little bit after college. So
I after school, I started anasphalt maintenance business in nineteen ninety five,
(04:48):
and basically we did the preventative maintenance, steal coating, crack filling, striping,
that kind of thing to take careof the investment. Lewis, did
you know growing up you know whatyou wanted to do? How did you
actually get involved in this business?What were you thinking growing up going to
high school? Things like that.So I was actually a German carpenter by
(05:10):
trade, so I've done a lotof buildings that kind of thing, and
then just I don't know, oneday just about this would be a great
adventure, and my wife and Iin twenty and twelve purchased the business from
Dan Bustler, the originator, andhere we are ten years later. All
right, we'll glad, yeah,glad to learn about that now, Lewis.
(05:32):
Can I ask you, in termsof a parking lot or maybe something
like that, how long do thosetypically last? I'm sure it depends on
you know, salt and just youknow, how you know, ruffle of
a winner, I guess I wouldsay would be. But roughly how long
do surfaces last when when you cometo Ashfall, general rules, Thomas about
and the fifteen years. Well,Lewis, I heard you say wife,
(05:55):
So next I want to ask youtell us a little bit more about Lewis
quartet in the family. So marriedwith five children, my business partner Karen,
and our oldest son Dominic, thenBradley, Selina, Marcus and Sicilia.
All right, so I'm sure busywith work family and you mentioned five
(06:16):
kids. Do you have any hobbieswhen you're not working? What do you
like to do in your spare time? We love to camp. I enjoy
camping. It's our time to getaway and tell stories by the fire.
All right, terrific to hear aboutthat, now, Lewis, couple of
things quickly before I let you goagain. Lewis Cortez is with us via
the telephone. This week's CEO.You should know he is the president of
(06:38):
Earthworm Construction. I'm sure this canvary, Lewis, in terms of the
time of year, maybe even aproject. How many staff members do you
guys have at Earthworm Construction? Weaverage twenty to twenty five employees, and
I'm sure with certain jobs it takesmore people, right in terms of depending
(06:58):
on how big of a job.It is absolutely all right. Well,
Lewis, before I let you go, I wanted to kind of give you
a moment to if somebody wants againin contact with you. I know we
threw out the website a little bitearlier, but encourage them. You know
I was on your website. It'searthworm Construction dot com. They really can
see some of the work you guyshave done, you know, a lot
of experience and things like that.Encourage them if you would to head to
(07:21):
your website and how they can getthe ball rolling. If they want to
have you guys and you know,do something for them. Absolutely give us
a call like I said, fourone nine four six eight five zero seven
six, or shoot us a messageon our email address earthworm construction dot com.
All right again, you heard thewebsite there, earthworm construction dot com.
(07:42):
They've been going strong since what nineteenseventy eight, based out of Galleon
and doing a lot of great workin the area. Check out the website
for more information. Again this week, CEO, you should know Lewis Cortez,
president of Earthworm Construction. Well,Lewis, been great to learn about
your business. Thanks for joining us. Congratulations on all the great years and
(08:03):
we wish you continued success. Thanksfor being here. Thank you, Aaron
Lewis Cortez, President of Earthworm Construction, the CEO you should know. Read
a bio, see a photo,and hear the extended interview at WMNFM dot
com. Leading means having a visionin sharing it with others. I'm John
(08:24):
Roby of r F and ME Insurance. We're excited to bring you this program
featuring CEOs from our area who willshare the thoughts of what it means to
work and live in north central Ohio.
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