Teammate Spotlight: David Ladner – Steady Leadership and Hands-On Impact
Earlier this year, David Ladner, Controls & Automation Engineer, was named one of Control Engineering’s 2025 Engineering Leaders Under 40, a designation that recognizes early-career engineers who show strong leadership, technical skill, and a commitment to their teams and clients. For David, this award reflects years of showing up, solving problems, and continually challenging himself to grow.
Early On
David’s path to engineering started early, working at his dad’s electrical contracting business in Gulfport, Mississippi. He began with office tasks, later building temporary power poles and helping troubleshoot service calls. He’s carried that hands-on mindset and steady work ethic with him ever since.
After graduating from Mississippi State University with a degree in chemical engineering, David joined the Hargrove Mobile Team. He started as a Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) scribe in the Process group before moving into Controls & Automation. He now supports SIS documentation, PLC programming, and commissioning efforts. David has led projects across a wide range of industries and says the variety keeps him engaged. “There’s always something new to learn,” he says. “Each project comes with its own challenges, and that’s what keeps things interesting.”
Client and Community Contributions
One milestone project for David was an Ignition implementation that helped Hargrove earn Gold Certified Integrator status with Inductive Automation. He gained hands-on experience, earned his certification, and supported the team’s broader efforts. That project later contributed to his selection as one of the Engineering Leaders Under 40, which cited his technical contributions and leadership on projects across multiple industries.
This Fall, David earned his Functional Safety Engineer (TÜV Rheinland) Certification, which requires the completion of a four-day training class and a passing score on a final exam. This certification provides David with an in-depth understanding of the functional safety life-cycle and equips him with the knowledge and skills to help clients develop and improve their process safety management programs.
“David brings a level of focus and reliability that we value very highly,” said Chet Barton, Director of Process Safety. “He’s the kind of engineer who takes ownership, follows through, and earns the trust of clients and teammates alike. Even with difficult projects like a complex commissioning effort, you know it’s going to be done right.”
In addition to client work, David mentors students through Hargrove’s High School Internship program. He also supports the Exploreum Science Center in Mobile, where he helped design and build a custom seven-segment LED driver to replace obsolete hardware in several exhibits. “I like working with my hands,” he says. “Whether it’s building something from wood or troubleshooting electronics, it’s satisfying to fix things and make them work again.”
Outside of Work
David enjoys spending time outdoors fishing, hunting, hiking, and camping. He’s also a passionate cook who enjoys trying new recipes from scratch. “There’s no comparison to a scratch-made meal,” he says. His recent travels to Thailand and Vietnam deepened his interest in other cultures and cuisines, and he’s currently learning Spanish to support both his personal and professional goals.
Looking Ahead
David is focused on continuing to grow. “I’d like to get more comfortable with the uncomfortable,” he says. “That’s where growth happens, and I never want to get too comfortable staying the same.”
He credits Hargrove with helping shape both his skills and his mindset. “Hargrove has given me the opportunity to work with very knowledgeable people who have taught me what it means to be a professional. I’ve developed skills and built relationships that will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
