Walter Lewis
Building Careers, Building Teams, Building People
Some employees fill a role. Others help shape the culture around them. For Walter Lewis, the work has always been about more than fixtures, remodels, and timelines — it's been about creating opportunities and helping people find a path forward.
Learning the Industry
Before joining Way To Go, Walter spent nearly a decade in retail merchandising, building his experience with companies across the industry and taking on independent projects for major retailers like Dollar General and Pep Boys.
Those years taught him the technical side of the business, but they also showed him what was missing elsewhere: support, stability, and the ability to truly invest in the people around you.
One Hundred Careers Started
During his first year with Way To Go, Walter recruited nearly 100 people into the company.
Some were looking for a fresh start. Others were searching for an opportunity they hadn't been given elsewhere.
Several of those individuals have since grown into leadership roles of their own, including managers Antoine and Bama.
For Walter, seeing others succeed has always been one of the most rewarding parts of the job.
Stepping Into His Role Today
Now serving as a Site Manager, Daniel leads teams and helps keep projects running smoothly.
One of the biggest lessons he’s learned?
“Not everyone takes instruction or criticism the same way. Learning how to read people and communicate with them has made a big difference.”
Protecting the Culture
Walter believes company culture isn't something that happens on its own — it's something people choose to protect every day.
When negativity or rumors begin circulating, he believes in addressing issues directly rather than allowing them to grow.
That same mindset carries over into how he leads teams: with honesty, accountability, and open communication
Taking a Chance
Walter's first project with Way To Go was in Franklin, Tennessee, where his team stepped in to take over a project already in progress.
What could have been just another assignment quickly became something different.
"The biggest difference was simple," Walter says. "Way To Go let me bring my people with me."
That freedom to build a team and invest in the people he believed in became the foundation of a partnership that continues today.
Becoming the Person People Call
Over the years, Walter became more than a project leader.
Today, site managers across the company know they can call him at almost any hour for help with a difficult build, unfamiliar fixture, or technical challenge.
Whether it's troubleshooting a problem on a remodel or helping someone work through a difficult situation, Walter has built a reputation for being available when people need him most.
Many employees describe him as a mentor. Others describe him as family.
Walter simply sees it as part of the job.
More Than a Coworker
Ask Walter what makes Way To Go different and his answer comes quickly.
"It's family."
Reliable pay, leadership support, and a culture that values people have kept him here, but the people themselves are what matter most.
After helping launch careers, mentoring future leaders, and serving as a trusted resource for teams across the country, Walter's impact can be measured in more than completed projects.
His legacy lives in the people he helped build along the way.