Aggregates Manager

December 2013

Aggregates Manager Digital Magazine

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AggMan 2013 of the Year Rod Martin shows that family business leaders can have a big impact on state and national issues. by Therese Dunphy, Editor-in-Chief 8 AGGREGATES MANAGER December 2013 A s a third generation leader of Bechtelsville, Pa.-based Martin Stone Quarries, Inc., Rod Martin grew up in the industry. He worked for the company parttime during high school and college, and joined the business full time after graduating from Eastern Mennonite College in 1995. Like many members of family-owned companies, he learned the business by working in many different roles and at many different levels. Today, he continues to work on many levels, including as a vice president of the family business, as chairman of the board for the Tri-County Area Chamber of Commerce, as an executive board member of the Pennsylvania Aggregates and Concrete Association (PACA), and as vice chairman of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association's (NSSGA) Government Affairs Committee. "Rod has always focused on his family, the family business, and the industry," says Dennis Coker, vice president, aggregates, of Natural Resource Partners, L.P. "He's always been someone who leads by example and has helped influence a number of former and current members of the NSSGA's Young Leaders Council to get more involved in the association and to look for ways to positively impact the aggregates industry. If I hadn't gotten to know Rod over the years, I don't know if I would have been as active in the association as I have been." (Editor's note: Coker serves as NSSGA's treasurer.) Family ties Martin's grandparents, Henry and Dorothy, took over an active quarry in 1953 and started Martin Stone Quarries. His father, Glenn, and uncle, Tom, later assumed management of the company. Today, they are semi-retired, but serve as advisors to Rod and cousins Travis and Trevor, who now lead the family business. "We all followed in our fathers' footsteps," Martin says. He handles sales and public relations, Travis heads up operations, and Trevor leads IT and finance. The three cousins have seven children who may one day comprise a fourth generation of Martins at the helm, and they will have big steel-toed boots to fill. "Rod has been a business colleague and friend for over 20 years," says Rich Blake, president, Mellott Co. "It is wonderful to experience a close friend develop into an exceptionally good husband, parent, and industry leader. His values and ability to lead are the foundation of his character and success." One of the values shared throughout the generations is the importance of listening to customers. "We live and die by our customers," Martin says. "We're a two-quarry operation. We don't have a construction division, so we have to stay attuned to what our customers need. Give them what they need, at a fair price, and everyone wins." Community outreach Good communication skills are not only important when dealing with customers, but also

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