Meet Lewis Root

Lewis Root joined Operations Management and Facilities Services (OMFS) in March 2020 when the world was on the cusp of a global shutdown. 

On March 1, 2020, Jacobs started as the facilities management contractor for Xcel Energy’s district chilled water plant – a project that chills water and distributes it throughout 43 commercial and residential properties in downtown Denver. Most of the distributed chilled water maintains comfort cooling, such as air conditioning.

While this type of work wasn’t new to Lewis, the concept of doing so at a new facility with a new employer had its moments of intimidation. But the ever-cheerful Lewis manifested that intimidation into positivity – something he is well-known for. 

“Instead of drinking from a firehose on a new project, I was afforded the ability to learn the functions of the project at a slower pace due to the COVID-19 shutdown,” explains Lewis. “I was onsite for a nine-to-five job double the time, but I made the most of it.” 

Those dividends have paid off exponentially.

Establishing a landmark contract with Xcel Energy

Four years later, the project is fully staffed and the team has performed so well that Xcel Energy signed a secondary contract – making Jacobs the longest-running contractor since its inception in 1998.

“We have an incredible team who works hand-in-hand with our client,” expresses Lewis. “We take the time to explain issues that arise with equipment and keep realistic expectations – Xcel Energy is receptive to our approach.”

Prioritizing safety and innovation

Xcel Energy has even taken to many of Jacobs’ safety protocols – another notch on Lewis’ belt. Most recently Lewis and his team applied Why I Work Safe badges, and Xcel Energy was so impressed by the idea that they all wear their own badges to reflect why they work safe.

Safety is a critical part of Lewis’ management style. He firmly believes in his team having ownership in the work they do every day. “I drive a team culture, which I feel also drives the safety culture,” says Lewis. “It really gives people that sense of responsibility when it comes to working safe.”

OMFS Director of Cities & Places Jon Mantay adds to the list of caring, “Lewis has grown the safety culture. He worked with the client for more than two years to replace a roof ladder and install a set of stairs strictly in the name of safety. Lewis just gets it.”

Since day one, everyone has gone home in the same condition in which they arrived at work – the team has not experienced a single recordable injury.

Hands-on leadership and mentorship

All of these positives shine a continuous light on Lewis and what he has to offer. Recently, Lewis stepped up to dual hat as a project manager and area manager to support a new facilities management project in Colorado Springs. He engages with the team to teach them about Jacobs’ culture and works with safety to get their functions and expectations firing on all cylinders.

While onsite, he’s on the floor with his team getting his hands dirty. Lewis is currently working to build a training program that teaches people unfamiliar with the older equipment how to adequately maintain and operate it.

“I would never ask my team to do a job that I wouldn’t do,” adds Lewis. “When we run into an obstacle, we work together as one to figure out a solution.”

And patience is Lewis’ key to success. When asked what advice he gives to people trying to grow in their careers, he says, “Be patient. Don’t throw your hands up when things get tough. Take the challenges you come across as learning opportunities. That’s what I’ve applied to myself to grow my career with Jacobs.”

With the help of mentorship received in OMFS, Lewis says, “Put me in front of a pile of equipment, and I’ll get that thing running in no time. Put me in between two guys who can’t get along, and I didn’t know what to do. My mentors were instrumental in my development as a leader, and I still call on them to this day to get his insight and advice.”