Amelia J. Landstreet, President/CEO
Education: Graduate of Fort Payne High School, 1963
Graduate of The Alabama School of Trades, Gadsden, AL, 1965
Amelia was formerly employed by State National Bank in Fort Payne, Alabama from 1965 to 1970. She came to
work at Ladd Engineering in 1970 where she was hired as the office secretary. She holds certificates
from UAB in Special Computer Studies, Fred Pryor Seminar Certificates and a School of Banking Certificate.
Amelia was married to the late Charles Mason Landstreet, Sr. in 1976. She is a member of New Oregon
United Methodist Church and the Fort Payne Rotary Club.
Gerald K. Ashley, Vice President/Chief Production Officer
Education: 2 years Auburn University, Auburn, AL
2 years Northeast Alabama Community College, Rainsville, AL
Gerald Ashley monitors and maintains production from the design phase through the final as built phase
utilizing AutoCAD, MapCom, GeoExplorer and Stellarad CAD systems. He reviews and assists with the tabulation
of materials from the plans and specifications stage through closeout, prepares and submits environmental
reports, highway permit applications, OSP Design, coordinates between field and office staff, assists with loan
design preparation, provides quality control of all maps, schematics and contract documents and has various
administrative responsibilities.
Wendell Dishman, Vice President/Chief Field Operations Officer
Education: Warren County High School, McMinville, Tennessee
Various NTCA and RUS (REA) Workshops and Seminars
Experience: 43 Years Total Professional Experience
Wendell Dishman oversees the day to day operations of LEA field operations. The work includes conceptual
development projects, route development, cost estimating, project planning, project scheduling, mapping,
communications with the city, county and state permitting agencies, working with private property owners,
such as, individuals and railroad companies to secure easements and licenses, working with telephone
companies and private building owners to secure building entrance approval and installation of building
entrances, development of construction bid documents, bid analysis and recommendation of contractors, contract
negotiations, city, state, and county permit applications, pole attachment applications, expediting, monitoring
of contractor progress, contractor quality inspection and timely turnover of assigned projects. Wendell has
over 43 years of Telecom consulting experience. The majority of his work is generally with the Wired Telecom
industry as Project Manager/Engineer/RUS Inspector/Consultant. His specialties include: OSP project
management, Consulting services, Engineering, GIS, CAD, telecommunications.
Jess Landstreet Bates, Vice-President/CFO
Education: Bachelor of Sciences in Family and Consumer Sciences, JSU
Jess Landstreet Bates serves as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Ladd Engineering Associates, a role
she assumed in March 2026 after more than 11 years with the company. She is a 2008 graduate of Jacksonville State
University. Jess oversees key operational functions including accounting, client billing, payroll, and human resources.
Jess plays an integral role in supporting the company’s financial management and day-to-day operations.
Carol Leigh Brackett, PE, JD, LL.M., Senior Principal Engineer
Education: Bachelor of Science, Textile Design, Auburn University
Associates Degree, Civil Engineering Technology, Alabama Technical College
Bachelor of Science- Civil Engineering, UAB
Juris Doctorate, Birmingham School of Law
LL. M. Concentration in Business Transactions, University of Alabama School
of Law
Newly elected Secretary/Treasurer of the Association of Communication Engineers
Experience: 29 Years Total Professional Experience
Carol Brackett has been with Ladd Engineering for over 29 years. She started out as a draftsman in the engineering department and after receiving her Professional Engineering license in 2002, has worked her way to her current position of Senior Principal Engineer. With her extensive knowledge of RUS procedure, Carol is responsible for the planning, design and preparation of detailed plans and specifications, bidding, proposal evaluation, and contract administration for all outside plant projects. She also has extensive experience in the preparation of RUS Loan Designs, environmental assessments and all other post loan engineering services. She is a Registered Professional Engineer in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Carol is also a member of the Association of Communications Engineers, National Society of Professional Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers, Alabama Society of Civil Engineers, American Bar Association, Alabama State Bar Association and the Etowah County Bar Association.
Michael R. Gentry, PE, Branch Manager, Kentucky
Education: Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering, University of Kentucky
Experience: 18 Years Total Professional Experience
Michael R. Gentry joined Ladd Engineering in 2011, bringing his years of experience as a telecommunications
consulting engineer specializing in OSP and COE project planning and implementation.
His skills range from assisting clients in securing funding to transitioning traditional TDM networks into
digital networks for a diverse array of clients such as cooperatives, private companies, municipalities,
universities and upgrading existing networks to ensure that they remain in compliance with evolving FCC standards.
In addition, he is currently responsible for the day-to-day operations of LEA's Lexington, Kentucky branch and
satellite offices.
Michael is a Registered Engineer in the states of Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri,
North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee and West Virginia.