Your problems are our next inventions 

The challenges most people pass up, we see as opportunities to create unheard of innovations in the refrigeration industry. R.E. Lewis is proud of that reputation of providing remarkable service under what others see as ridiculous timelines.

Our team of project managers, engineers, and safety specialists work closely with each client to provide creative solutions to keep shutdown time and change orders to a minimum. Doing things correctly, safely, and effectively is the standard around here. In fact, we’re one of the few contractors with an on-staff safety specialist.

Family run.
Corporate savvy.

In 1957, in the rural town of Creston, Iowa, Robert Lewis and his son Earl, began R.E. Lewis Refrigeration. For more than 30 years, the family-owned business thrived by providing innovative industrial refrigeration to a wide range of clients. Specializing in ammonia refrigeration and mechanical piping, R.E. Lewis established a reputation of being harder working problem-solvers. Clients trusted them because they always honored their commitments to do the job right. On time, every time.

In the fall of 1991, Wayne Hanson purchased the corporation from Earl Lewis who had decided to retire. Recognizing R.E. Lewis’s solid reputation in the industry, Wayne decided to keep the name. Today, R.E. Lewis has expanded its corporate space and added an additional office in Dubuque, Iowa. Wayne continues to lead with the same principles of family values and hard work that transform new clients into long-lasting partners.

Creston

803 S Lincoln Street
P.O. Box 92
Creston, IA 50801

Phone: (641) 782-8183
Fax: (641) 782-8156

Dubuque

900 Cedar Cross Road
Dubuque, IA 52003

Phone: (563) 556-4088
Fax: (563) 556-4214

Meet Our Team

Wayne Hanson

CEO

Wayne is still crying over the Chiefs winning the Super Bowl. We can’t tell if they are tears of joy or from the cost of his ticket to the game. One thing that does get him emotional is his passion for ponies. The man has tons of high-end studs. Speaking of studs, did you know he has nine children? 

Michelle Burnett

VP of Project Development

Michelle is an underwater overachiever. This VP of Project Development and SCUBA stud loves to take a deep dive on each project and can handle a lot of pressure without having to come up for air. Although a certified health coach, she is quite crazy about ice cream. Whether she is above or below sea level, she always makes sure her PSI levels are in check… which in her case normally means Pints per Square Inch.

Holly De Hamer

Controller

Don’t let the petite, cute exterior fool you. Holly is a thrill-seeking daredevil. In her spare time, you might find her jumping out of a plane or screaming down the highway on her badass motorcycle. In the office, she gets her thrills by doing financial reports and spreadsheets in permanent marker.

Alishia Tucker

Accounting Assistant

Alishia is in a tough spot. She loves the outdoors, but as a red head she fries easier than an egg in a skillet. Speaking of breakfast, her favorite food in the morning is leftover pizza. What? Not delicious bacon or buttery pancakes. Oh well. As long as she keeps collecting money for us the way she has been, she can eat whatever she wants. 

Stacey Buxton

HR/Safety Manager

Before joining R.E. Lewis, Stacey worked at a candy factory. She wasn’t Willy Wonka, but she made sure all of her Oompa Loompas were paid on time. And on her watch, nobody ever fell into the chocolate river. These days she has a sweet gig as our office manager and head of human resources. In her spare time, she enjoys golfing and baking delicious rhubarb pies that’ll put you in a world of pure imagination. 

Matt Schultz

Director of Construction

Matt has been working in the construction industry for so long you’ll find his initials on the base of the Great Pyramid of Giza. These days, he’s making his mark constructing industrial refrigeration systems for some of our biggest clients. He’s still getting used to signing contracts without a chisel.

Lyn C. Mangrich

Engineering Consultant

Lyn, our engineering consultant, has had a pretty cool career. Literally, with 35 years in the refrigeration industry a lot of his life has been dealing with ice. He loves to chill so much he even builds curling sheets, ice sculptures, ice fishing, you name it – if it freezes it pleases him. He even dressed up as Elsa the Snow Queen for Halloween. For some reason, he just can’t let it go, let it go.

David Marroquin

Design Manager

David has worn so many hats he’s become obsessed with them. He started at R.E. Lewis as a Project Assistant then Project Estimator then Draftsman then IT Manager and now he is a Design Manager. He loves history and recently took his family to Lincoln’s birthplace and hasn’t taken off the souvenir stovetop hat since.

Travis Locklear

Service Manager

With an impressive 25 years of Refrigeration & Mechanical expertise, Travis is the go-to guy for all things cool. When he’s not working, he enjoys fishing, traveling with his wife, and raising his three boys. He also knows every line from the iconic movie Forrest Gump. And his ultimate refrigerated delight? Oddly, not a box of chocolates. Snickers Ice Cream Bars.

Seth Hanson

Project Estimation and Management

Seth is a die-hard Chiefs fan and woodworker. In fact, he brought his own hand-carved tomahawk to game to partake in Arrowhead’s famous tomahawk chop chant. After being deemed a security risk, a brief tussle ensued and he was politely escorted out.

John Gravlin

Project Manager

John is a bronco ridin’ project manager. When it comes to overseeing work and making sure the job gets done, there’s no bucking him off. And if a subcontractor or employee gets out of hand, John will have them hog tied faster than you can say “yee haw.” 

Dan McNamer

Project Manager

Dan has been in the piping trades for nearly 20 years, and for the past 8 years, he’s been chilling with us. As our project manager, Dan takes charge of everything, including prepping materials, labor costs, bidding, scheduling, and keeping everything on schedule. He enjoys time with his family, coaching, and teaching. When he’s not wrestling with timelines and budgets, he’s often grappling opponents into submission in Brazilian Jujitsu.

Juanita McCarthy

HR/Construction Assistant

Juanita McCarthy, our HR/construction whiz! She’s the orchestrator of our industrial refrigeration symphony, having mastered the art of inventory at a candy factory for a sweet 25 years.

Off-duty, Juanita’s a thrift store ninja and camping aficionado. You’ll often catch her chilling on her revamped patio, sipping cold drinks with her two Labradors by her side.

Whether she’s crunching numbers or chilling out, Juanita brings a frosty freshness to our team at R.E. Lewis. Cheers to that!

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