Today we’d like to introduce you to Vernon Wertz.
Hi Vernon, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Vernon began his career in the oil field in 2008, influenced by a strong family connection to the industry. Early on, he considered working as an inspector or entering the field directly, ultimately choosing the hands-on path of welding. A decision that shaped his career. His experience later expanded into structural steel, where he continued refining his skills and building a strong reputation.
Raised in eastern Colorado, Vernon later attended high school in Hemingford, Nebraska, where wide-open country and hard work were a way of life. He spent many years as a professional bull rider, traveling throughout the western United States. Those years on the road not only shaped his discipline and work ethic but also sparked his love for Texas. Alongside rodeo, he worked in feedlots and around livestock, experiences that naturally led him toward welding. After retiring from bull riding, he followed in his family’s footsteps and took his skills to the oil fields of southwest Texas.
In the spring of 2021, Vernon founded Wild West Welding, LLC, with the goal of being closer to home and spending more time with family. Around the same time he started up his company, his wife Julia and her son Joel celebrated becoming U.S. citizens—a hard-earned milestone that strengthened the family’s bond and marked a new chapter in their journey together. Since then, Vernon has poured himself into growing the business while staying true to the rural values that shaped his work ethic: grit, perseverance, and doing the job right. Beyond the shop, the family carries those values into everything they do including partnering with Weatherford Whiskers to foster cats, and riding reining cow horses with Mark Anderson, a seasoned trainer who also serves as a life coach for the family. Through his guidance, they learn consistency, patience, and strong morals; not just with horses, but in life and in how they treat others. It’s a way of life that mirrors the business itself: grounded, hardworking, and built on care, loyalty, and follow-through.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The journey hasn’t always been smooth, and there were lessons that only come the hard way. One of the biggest challenges for Vernon has been learning how to manage people, along with stepping back from the mindset of working every hour of every day. Finding balance, knowing when to push and when to step away, taking time to appreciate progress, and recognizing how far the business has come instead of constantly chasing the next task all have been an ongoing lesson. Learning to pause and tip his hat to the small wins along the way is something he continues to work on.
Another important lesson has been knowing when it’s time to grow and when it’s time to let go of the reins. Over the past year, the company has taken that step by promoting team members into leadership roles and bringing on additional staff to handle key functions such as estimating and business development. That shift has brought stronger structure, clearer focus, and a steadier path toward intentional growth.
Breaking into the commercial market proved tougher than expected. Making the jump from residential work and small personal projects to larger retail and commercial jobs came with a steep learning curve. Learning the rules of commercial work, navigating general contractors, and earning trust in that space took persistence and patience. Then things started to click. Not overnight, but job by job, handshake by handshake. Only recently has the company begun to gain real traction, as relationships have deepened and opportunities with commercial general contractors have started to take shape.
Early momentum came through smaller jobs that helped open doors. Work with Brent Tipps and Boomer Jack’s began with projects like patio gazebos and deck-related concepts. This gave the team chances to prove quality, reliability, and follow-through in the commercial world. Around the same time, a project manager with OTD brought Vernon in on a steady stream of smaller jobs, helping lay the groundwork in the commercial space. When that manager moved on, Vernon continued working with him at new locations, strengthening relationships and expanding opportunities with new clients along the way.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Wild West Welding, LLC. is a family-owned and operated outfit built on hard work, straight talk, and a deep respect for doing the job right the first time. We specialize in commercial steel fabrication and installation, with a strong focus on structural steel for retail, medical, and office buildings across Texas; from Dallas and San Antonio to Austin, Houston, and well beyond the city limits.
From day one, the goal has been simple: build a company rooted in reliability, craftsmanship, and follow-through. Every hand on our crew is a qualified welder, AWS D1.1 certified on unlimited thickness, bringing decades of hard-earned experience to every job. Whether we’re working in the shop or out in the field, no steel is too thick and no project is too tough, we wrangle metal into shape with precision and pride you can hang your hat on.
What truly sets Wild West Welding apart is its people. This is a crew that works hard, takes pride in their craft, and stands by their word. Timelines matter, reputations matter, and people matter. We place a strong emphasis on meeting deadlines and details. Our advising doesn’t start after the contract, it starts at the quote. From day one, we’re looking ahead for the details that can make or break a job: misaligned information, connections that won’t hold up, better steel choices, and smarter options that keep your project moving and your costs down. We bring that know-how to the table before we’re ever hired, because relationships matter to us, and we believe in earning trust from the first handshake. That handshake doesn’t stop at the quote. It carries all the way into the field. We run our operations with a strong focus on organization and clear communication, allowing us to overdeliver whenever we can and push to beat deadlines, not just meet them. That mindset has earned trust in a competitive market and built the kind of repeat relationships that keep the company growing.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
The success of Wild West Welding has always been a team effort, built on the backbone of family, mentors, and trusted partners. Family played a critical role from day one, coming together to help lay the foundation of the company. Vern’s wife, Julia, was instrumental from the very beginning. From tackling small tasks, to stepping into unfamiliar roles, and actively pursuing training and certifications to strengthen and grow the business. She also became the company’s first client developer, opening doors and creating early opportunities with grit, determination, and a knack for building relationships.
Beyond her hands-on contributions, Julia provided steady strength during the toughest moments of building the company. Her encouragement, perspective, and belief in the vision carried the business through challenging seasons. She played a pivotal role in deciding when to hold the line and when to pivot, offering both practical insight and unwavering support that kept the company moving forward.
Vern’s son, Joel Franke, had joined him in the oil fields quickly learning the trade. Joel came back to DFW as Vern started up Wild West Welding and became his first hire. Joel has become a reliable, go-to problem solver on projects and a dedicated member of the crew.
As the business grew, key team members stepped in to reinforce operations and execution. Justin Brassington brought seasoned expertise, stepping into the role of foreman to lead the crew and elevate quality and efficiency in the field. On the business side, Audra Tackett has been instrumental in advancing the company’s reach. She has streamlined key processes while actively pursuing new clients and opportunities. Together, their efforts have strengthened the company’s professional presence and expanded its footprint across Texas.
Early guidance and support also came from those willing to share hard-earned knowledge. Bruce Stevens served as a trusted sounding board in the early days, while Mike Riffel and Richard Williams at Rifcon, along with longtime friend Jim Milner, offered insight, encouragement, and practical advice that made a real difference as the company found its footing.
Through it all, the story of Wild West Welding has been one of collaboration, grit, and loyalty. A team pulling together to turn vision into reality, with every project and handshake along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wildwestweldingtx.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildwestweldingllc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WildWestWeldingTX/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wild-west-welding-llc/
Image Credits
Audra Tackett Photography
