2024 GroundBreaker: Jackie Murray, General Superintendent, Marsh Bell Construction
GroundBreak Carolinas congratulates Jackie Murray, General Superintendent at Marsh Bell Construction Company, for being named to the Class of 2024 GroundBreakers – an exclusive group of four individuals who have gone above and beyond to make a difference for the construction community in the Carolinas.
With a construction career spanning nearly 40 years, Murray has an extensive and well-rounded background in project management and supervision. Murray joined Greenville-based Marsh Bell nearly four years ago after moving to the Upstate of South Carolina from Albany, NY. Marsh Bell has served the Carolinas and Georgia as an unlimited general contractor since 1984.
“Jackie has dedicated her long career to learning the construction industry and has earned the respect not only of our entire company, but also that of our many customers, employees, subcontractors and suppliers. The feedback we get weekly on her performance is outstanding,” said Paul Westberry, Chief Executive Officer of Marsh Bell. “As the CEO and an owner of the company, it seems too much credit is given to the leadership, when the reality is that our team pulls together to deliver not only on our buildings, but the customer experience. Jackie deserves the credit along with our entire team.”
Sam Rogers, CPA, Marsh Bell’s Chief Accounting Officer, added, “Jackie has an eye for detail and is a master of coordination – managing multiple teams and subcontractors to create a unified and efficient work environment. Beyond her technical expertise, Jackie is an advocate for workforce development and mentorship. She takes a hands-on approach to training at Marsh Bell, creating a culture of continuous learning and professional growth.”
GroundBreak Carolinas caught up with Jackie Murray for an insightful conversation.
Tell us what you are most passionate about when it comes to the AEC industry and/or your role within your organization?
The thing I love about my job in the construction industry is that, within a few hours’ radius, I can put my hand on a building that I’ve worked on. I can say that more for the Albany, NY area because I lived and worked there for most of my adult life. Here in the Greenville area, where I’ve been for the last four years, I am starting to build a catalog of various projects that I have led as a superintendent.
In my role initially as superintendent at Marsh Bell Construction, and now as general superintendent, I am afforded the trust of my bosses and my co-workers that I have the knowledge and work ethic to get things done. To me, my job isn’t just something I do for a living. Construction has been a major factor in my life for many years and Marsh Bell nurtures my love for this business.
What are some of the things you are doing inside and outside of your workspace and organization to improve the construction industry and encourage others to make construction a potential career choice?
In my role as general superintendent, I am able to be part of the interview process for new field hires. While some of our people have been in construction for a while, others come to us fresh out of college as interns. After their internship, I hope they see construction as a rewarding career. Especially since you can see the physical results of your work.
Back in New York at my previous company, I participated in military veteran recruitment, encouraging employment in construction after completion of military service. I also have spoken to high school classes about a career in construction.
Here in Greenville, I recently participated with The Women Construction Forum (WCF) in a talk to Anderson I & II Career Career Center (ACTC) female students about the industry. I would love to see more women get into construction, both in management and labor roles.
What do you see as the future trends of the construction industry over the next 5-10 years? Will technological advances dominate the industry changes of the future?
While technology is great for construction in some ways – scheduling, estimating, document management, modeling, etc. – physical labor will not be replaced by computers or machines!! It will still take a mason to lay stone. You will need an electrician to run wiring. Mechanical methods for some aspects of construction have always been around. A “robot” that can “build” a house out of poured concrete. A mechanical device that can lay a concrete masonry unit (CMU). And I’m sure that individuals or companies are trying to devise methods to complete construction with limited labor. But at the end of the day, tradespeople will always be needed. A robot can’t stand back from their completed work and say, with pride, “that looks great!”
What would you say has been your greatest accomplishment?
Becoming general superintendent for Marsh Bell Construction. It’s not a position I expected to get, especially since the role didn’t exist to this point. I am extremely grateful to the company for giving me this opportunity.
What do you think are the most important personal attributes one must possess to be successful in the construction industry of tomorrow?
In thinking about construction in the years ahead, I will carry with me the skills I utilize now. Juggling is a big one!! You have to do more than two things at once. As I said, technology is great for some things, but you still need to balance out the needs of the project with the people you have on the job. You need to communicate with your people, keep them all moving forward, tackling problems as they arise, while also looking further down the road to see what’s next.
For me, I have to laugh every day!!! I’ve been so lucky all these years to meet many of the very best people in this business. Many are lifelong friends. While a lot of things can drag a project, and your attitude, down, enjoying what you do, working with great people, and being able to laugh along the way is extremely important.
Looking back over your construction career, is there anything you would do differently if you had the chance? Why?
There isn’t much I’d change. Marsh Bell is only the fourth construction company I’ve worked for in 40 years. I’ve learned so much from all of the people at those companies. Especially my bosses.
I do not have an advanced degree. Just an associate’s in Applied Science in construction Technology. But that has never been a detriment to my career, and I see no reason to change that now.
