Employee Stories

Armon Leavy

Welder

Armon Leavy is a welder at CMI in his first year with the company, having joined right out of high school. He developed his welding skills at our Watson Chapel Welding Program, where he learned the technical skills and precision needed for the trade. Armon is known for his strong work ethic, positive attitude, and attention to detail, which has made him a valuable member of the team. Excited about his future at CMI, he is eager to continue growing in his role and contribute to the company’s success.

Armon

Discovering the Power of a Trade

At just 18 years old, Armon Leavy has already found his calling in the world of skilled trades. During his senior year at Watson Chapel High School in 2024, Armon faced a pivotal choice—pursue a traditional college degree or start a career immediately. Opting for the latter, Armon’s decision has proven transformative, leading him to a fulfilling role as a welder at Central Moloney.

Armon’s path to Central Moloney began with the Watson Chapel Welding Academy, our partnered high school program that provides hands-on training and a direct pipeline to employment at CMI. “They brought an instructor over to teach us how to weld, and he did an amazing job,” Armon recounts. “They ended up giving us a job offer—a brand-new job straight out of high school.”

This opportunity was a game-changer for Armon, who saw the value of trade education over the traditional college route. “College isn’t what it used to be,” he explains. “You’re not guaranteed a job. It’s so much money down the drain, and now you’re left feeling lost. You don’t know what to do in life, when you could just go into a trade.”

At Central Moloney, Armon has found a supportive and collaborative environment that has allowed him to thrive. As a MIG welder, he plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and safety of the company’s products, which power communities across the country. “It makes me feel amazing,” Armon says. “We’re powering the country with these different types of products, and people want to buy from us because of the amazing quality and the people we have here.”

Armon’s journey at CMI is a testament to the power of skilled trades. By choosing a hands-on career path, he has not only secured financial stability but also discovered a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment. “This trade has paid off for me!” Armon shares proudly. “It saved me a lot of money. I’m not in debt; I’m saving money for my future. I just bought myself a new car, and it’s just, man… it was definitely the right move for me.” Looking to the future, Armon aspires to become a supervisor within the company—a testament to his drive and the opportunities that await him at Central Moloney.

Watson Chapel Welding Program

2023-2024

High-School Graduate

2024

From Student to Professional

As Armon explains, the Watson Chapel Welding Academy gave him a head start over other prospective employees. He received specific training in welding, including techniques used on CMI transformers. Instead of navigating the job market alone, Armon secured a position at Central Moloney immediately after high school. This seamless transition from training to employment was a game-changer, launching him into a fulfilling welding career.

While welding positions require technical knowledge and experience, many roles at CMI offer on-the-job training, with no prior experience necessary.

Q&A from Armon

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The culture here is amazing. You got a lot of supportive people. Your supervisor’s supportive. They have your back. The people here have your back. We’re just all one big family and a lot of companies say they’re a family, or they’re all together, but really here, it feels like a family.

How has CMI supported your growth?

At a lot of other places, your work goes unnoticed. You could be one of the hardest workers, but it could always go unnoticed. But at CMI, when you work hard, you get a promotion. People notice you, talk about you, and talk good about you. You make a name for yourself. And that’s one thing you want to do. So if you want to end up becoming a supervisor, becoming maybe even a CEO one day. You know, you want to have a little backup, you know, people saying, ‘Okay, he’s a good dude. He’s a hard worker and plays a big part here at Central Moloney.”

What advice would you give to someone starting at CMI?

Man, don’t be scared. You know, come in, ask questions. Don’t act like there’s nothing to learn. Be ready to work. Because when people see that, man, they’ll look at you and be like, ‘Okay, I want him. I want him to work for me.’ And you could possibly get a promotion or, you know, just have a great name around here.

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