Ledbetter has led Guarantee Electrical into its next chapter since taking the helm in 2022. With more than two decades of experience in electrical construction, Ledbetter returned to the firm after helping lead Castle Contracting, bringing an operator’s perspective to organization-wide strategy and growth. Under his leadership, Guarantee continues to expand its footprint while investing in its workforce and community, including through KIDstruction, the philanthropic initiative that Ledbetter founded to support St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
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2026 QUESTIONNAIRE
What advice would you give to the next generation of St. Louis entrepreneurs or leaders? Love yourself. Know yourself. Play the game with the same joy we played as kids. Learn something today. Listen better than I do.
What’s a risk you took in business that didn’t pan out—but taught you something valuable? Of the 100s, we invested in a “sure thing” new business in 2012. It was going to be easy. We totally missed it evaluating the people on whom we would depend. Their culture and ours were misaligned. It failed. Know the people. Spend the day together.
What do you do when you’re feeling stuck or uninspired? Hot Yoga at Y6 on Oakland or a walk around the Missouri Botanical Garden or 30 minutes with my wife, Julie.
Who in your company (or industry) deserves more recognition for their impact? Sara Hannah, our chief people officer, has immediately made the most significant impact to our business and to the larger industry. She understands frontline listening and strategy like nobody I know. Ron Bull, our CFO, is a special combination of the business savvy believer in people who has a larger mission to “change the world.”
What’s a local organization, nonprofit, or initiative that more people should know about—and why? St. Louis Children’s Hospital is well-known but the fact that it’s world-class may not be so well known. The doctors and researchers from Washington University, professionalism of BJC, and unique care and culture at SLCH to do what’s right for kids is one of St. Louis’ true gems.
BACKGROUND
Where were you born? St. Louis
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? Pulling wire as a summer helper for Guarantee, selling long distance for Allnet, serving people at Blue Water Grill and teaching kids at Maplewood-Richmond Heights. It’s all the same lesson. Show up early, stay late, invest in work, and love the people around you.
What educational degrees do you hold, and where were they earned? B.A. English & Religion Texas Christian University
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
What has been your/your company’s most significant success over the past 12 months? Growth in every measure, most significantly in our people-first engagement and our wellbeing outcomes.
What has you most excited about the future of your company or industry? The renewed appreciation for the craft of being an electrician. Seeing young people find professional fulfillment, wellbeing and prosperity in our industry is priceless.
If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why? Widespread and holistic standards for Safety and Quality, with zero-tolerance for companies who take shortcuts in favor of greed.
What’s the toughest business challenge you’ve had to overcome? Listening more, to our frontline team. The folks who get the work done from early to late in the heat and cold. They know better than I do where we can improve and be better. Being a better listener.
MENTORS & PEERS
What is a key strength of the St. Louis metro area business environment? We know each other so well. In theory, that self-awareness should lead to a better team across the region. Too often that familiarity leads to short-term greed as we play one another against each other. Regional success requires some sacrifice. Great teams understand this.
What is one thing you would change about the St. Louis metro area business environment? Consolidating where we can. Consolidating some of our municipalities including St. Louis city and county. This would massively impact the business opportunities for the better. Consolidating some of the associations and philanthropies into singular stronger forces for the region.
Who is the most interesting under-the-radar/emerging business leader in St. Louis? She has an amazing story that’s hers to tell, but Katie Lee of Katie’s Pizza and Pasta deserves to be held up high in this community.
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
What is one book you think everyone should read (or podcast everyone should listen to) and why? Another Way by Dave Whorten, the founder of the Tugboat Institute. It clearly lays out the case for privately held business. Public markets and private equity investments surely have their place but the joy of work and long term sustainability lives in the privately held ownership model. Dave makes the case.
What’s your hobby/passion? Teams and trust. My family. Being a better team tomorrow than we are today. My faith and travel with my wife and best friend, Julie.
What would people be surprised to learn about you (fun fact)? My lifelong idolization and obsession with Muhammad Ali. His life offers me the map and model for faith, redemption, success, conviction and goodness.
