Leading With Vision Through Generations (Patrick Schueck Commentary)

Lexicon CEO Patrick Schueck speaks to academy participants (Photos by Nelson Chenault provided)

My dad, Tom Schueck, founded Lexicon in his garage in 1968 with just $800 and one employee — my pregnant mother, Marge. What he lacked in resources, he made up for in grit, vision and a commitment to building something that lasts. From day one, he created a people-centered company rooted in integrity, quality and enduring solutions.

Some have said, “Tom was loyal to a fault.” But those loyalties built relationships that became, and remain, the backbone of Lexicon.

Fifty-seven years later, we’re one of Arkansas’ largest private companies, with more than $1 billion in annual revenue and nearly 3,000 employees nationwide. While innovation and strategy have fueled our growth, our original vision has guided us through leadership transitions, market shifts and decades of evolution.

When I became CEO in 2020 after my father’s death, I set out to honor what he started while continuing to grow the company and lead us forward based on the values of those who came before me.

Transitioning leadership in a privately held company — especially one of our size — requires a clear mission and commitment to culture. You must respect the legacy while evolving to meet industry demands and supporting your team’s growth. At Lexicon, we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. Our people are everything. They are the heart of our success, the drivers of innovation and the stewards of our culture. That’s why we invest not just in technology, but in programs to help our people succeed.

This philosophy has guided us through a decade of growth and transformation. From turning Lexicon Fabrication Group into a global leader in robotic fabrication, to becoming a leader in heavy industrial mechanical installation and steel erection, to claiming a spot as one of the top golf course construction companies in the country, our teams have consistently met complex challenges.

To support them, we’ve built a culture that prioritizes well-being and opportunity. We launched Lexicon University for career development and leadership training, created an on-site health clinic and introduced Strong as Steel: Building Mental Might to champion mental health. These initiatives empower our people and foster a workplace where they thrive. And they’re replicable, in some form, for companies across the state.

For any business preparing for a generational transition, my advice is this: Stay grounded in your mission and prioritize your people. If things go sideways, it’s often because you’ve strayed too far from your guideposts. Honor those who came before you by staying true to the principles that got you where you are. Your vision is your compass and your legacy, helping guide the next generation to lead with the same grit and heart that started it all.

At Lexicon, we are real people, building lasting partnerships with unfailing integrity, building a better tomorrow one project at a time. We’re as focused on our vision today as we were more than 50 years ago — and I believe our best years are still ahead. Every step forward is a tribute to the foundation my dad laid in that garage, and to the values he — and many other incredible people — instilled, which continue to guide us today.

Patrick Schueck is the CEO of Lexicon Inc.