When Avery Barksdale started working at the State Highway Administration’s Hanover location through Melwood Enterprises, he knew how to do just one thing: pull trash. As someone on the autistic spectrum, that was the extent of his work experience.

One year later, Avery has transformed his role and his team. Working with his supervisor Robert Tanner, he quickly expanded his skills to include cleaning bathrooms, vacuuming, and dust mopping—all with precision and care.

But Avery’s impact extends beyond his technical abilities. He’s become “the life of the party” who keeps the entire six-person night crew motivated. The team has become what Tanner describes as “one big happy family.”

“I’ve seen so much growth in him in the last year,” Tanner said. “I couldn’t ask for a better crew.”

The Melwood Way

The personal and professional growth experienced by Avery over the course of just one year is not unusual at Melwood Enterprises. By seeing each employee as an individual and taking a personalized approach to employment, leadership teams throughout Melwood Enterprises foster independence, confidence, and the development of leadership skills in their employees.
That approach leads to strong teams, long-term stability, and an environment where employees want to stay, grow, and deliver consistent, high-quality service.

“You give people the right support and the chance to learn, and they’ll show you what they are truly capable of,” Tanner said. “Avery’s a great example of that.”