2020 GroundBreaker: Brian King, A M King

GroundBreak Carolinas is honored to spotlight Brian King, a member of the exclusive group of 2020 GroundBreakers — four individuals who are shaping the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry in a variety of ways.

King is founder, owner and CEO of A M King, a leading Design-Build firm headquartered in Charlotte with an office in Greenville, S.C. as well as Chicago. Established by King in 2004, A M King provides property consulting, design and engineering, construction and facility services in the sectors of food processing, food distribution, industrial manufacturing, and commercial properties. The firm, which has generated over $1 billion in revenue since its inception 16 years ago, has received dozens of prestigious awards honoring the company, its projects and its people.

Named one of Charlotte’s “Most Admired CEOs” in 2018, King is a sought-after speaker for high-profile industry AEC conferences across the country. Over the course of his 35-year career, King has developed a passion for mentoring others internally and externally – from recent graduates to senior-level executives. In recent years, he has been the featured guest on a long list of national and regional podcasts directed at both industry-specific and general business audiences.

Known nationally for his expertise in Design-Build delivery, as well as his entrepreneurial spirit, King is repeatedly invited by distinguished universities to speak to students in various stages of their academic journeys. His dedication to educate others in Design-Build is unparalleled. He speaks annually to hundreds of students enrolled in Design and Construction Management programs, highlighting the benefits of Design-Build, educating them on principles of good Design-Build, and encouraging them to pursue excellence in Design-Build in their future careers. King is also passionate about the subject of construction ethics. His “Ethics in Construction” lecture has become an annual favorite of a number of Construction Management programs, having been heard by well over 2,000 students, including those at Clemson and UNC Charlotte.

One way he strives to positively influence the future generation of AEC leaders is by sharing real-life business insights, experiences and stories with young professionals, rising managers, and entrepreneurs through regularly published blogs on briantking.com. These reflections are supported by daily posts on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. King’s writings cover a broad spectrum of topics such as personal and professional growth, career development, work/life balance, relationships, and principles and values which apply to an assortment of situations that occur in everyday life and business.

King is proud of his humble beginnings as a construction laborer and carpenter, his vocation while earning his degree in Building Construction at the University of Florida. “My first paid construction job was working for a home builder during my second summer of college. On my first day, the builder handed me a shovel, and for the next few days I dug all the trenches for an irrigation system. I take a lot of pride in being able to say that, although I became an executive in the construction industry, I can honestly say I began my career digging ditches,” said King.

Integrity has always been King’s guiding light. His most treasured piece of advice: “Always do the right thing. It doesn’t matter if you are just starting your career or leading a billion-dollar company, it’s equally important.”

A dedicated philanthropist, accomplished sports and outdoors enthusiast, and a builder at heart, King resides in Charlotte with his wife and two dogs. Their five children, all young professionals themselves, are living throughout the United States.