Spotlight on Marty McKee of King Asphalt

For anyone who has driven on South Carolina’s roadways in recent years, it’s good to know that there are people like Marty McKee who focus on asphalt paving and maintenance for a living. As Vice President of King Asphalt, headquartered in the Upstate S.C. town of Liberty, McKee oversees one of the most well-respected asphalt organizations in the state.

From humble beginnings in 1973 — salvaging equipment and paving driveways by hand — King Asphalt has thrived over the past 44 years. Today King Asphalt has three asphalt manufacturing facilities strategically located across the Upstate region of South Carolina. Supplementing existing facilities in Liberty (Pickens County) and Simpsonville (Greenville County), King Asphalt added the Pacolet (Spartanburg County) location in 2015.  The company has been recognized with several Quality Pavement Awards by the South Carolina Asphalt Pavement Association (SCAPA).

Known for giving back to the industry, McKee is the outgoing Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Carolinas Associated General Contractors (CAGC), the largest construction trade association in the region. CAGC’s 800-plus members are contractors and construction-related firms that perform work in North Carolina and South Carolina. CAGC is a chapter of the AGC of America (AGC) and the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA).

McKee has been a member of CAGC for nearly 21 years and has sat on the board since 2008. For two years, he served as  Highway-Heavy Division vice-chair and chair. McKee will remain on the CAGC Board for one more term beginning January 1, 2018.

To say that McKee doesn’t have much “downtime” is an understatement; in addition to his leadership role with King Asphalt, he serves as full-time Pastor of Coneross Baptist Church in Westminster, South Carolina.

GroundBreak Carolinas spoke with McKee about his year as Chairman of CAGC, and asked for his perspective about the state of the construction industry in the Carolinas — particularly the highway-heavy construction sector. We also talked with him about what it’s like to juggle his various roles seven days per week and still maintain a work-life balance.

What has been the driving focus for CAGC in 2017?

In 2017, the CAGC Board of Directors has been laser focused on assuring CAGC remains the trusted voice of the construction industry in the Carolinas and our membership has responded in carrying this message forward.

You feel strongly about the importance of being actively involved in the industry. What’s the one big thing people get out of belonging to a professional organization?

Different associations provide differing member benefits, but I believe the most important benefit that ALL associations should provide is relationship-building. Relationships are what business (and life) are all about. Among the greatest attributes of our industry are the wonderful relationships that competing companies have with one another. We bid against each other in the mornings, then go to dinner together on the weekends.

Tell us a little bit about your background.  How did you get involved in the construction industry?

My grandfather had a small grading company in my hometown of Seneca, S.C. My dad, two uncles and my aunt also worked there. Naturally, most of us “kids” worked there in the summers. My first “job” was cleaning up around the shop and fueling up the equipment. I always enjoyed construction and working with the crews; thus, when I was thinking about a career my first choice was construction. I graduated from Clemson University in 1987 with a degree in Civil Engineering and looked for a career as a construction manager. My first job was with a highway contractor in Georgia, Knox-Rivers Construction Co. I then decided to move back to South Carolina and took a job with SCDOT. I later worked at Sloan Construction Company, Thrift Development Corp., and now at King Asphalt — all highway contractors.

What’s your primary area of responsibility with King Asphalt?

I oversee the projects we have with SCDOT.

What do you see as the company’s biggest challenges in its day-to-day business?

I think King’s most pressing issue is the same challenge that our entire industry is facing… finding good quality employees. We have been blessed in the Carolinas with some increases in construction workload, but the personnel to perform the work is hard to obtain. I feel we as an industry have done a poor job of touting our profession as a great career and we are now paying the price for our neglect.

What are you doing to recruit and retain people?

As an association, CAGC has started our Build Your Career initiative to reach those in middle/high and vocational schools and introduce them to the construction industry. Many in society have the opinion, “If you can’t do anything else, go into construction” and that’s a shame. Most people don’t realize that it takes a skilled construction workforce to keep our economy strong. Also, the construction industry is one of the last bastions of the American Dream where you can start out as a laborer and rise to be the company owner.

Funding for roads and infrastructure has been a hot topic in the Carolinas. Please provide your perspective on the issue.

The S.C. Legislature passed a Road Funding increase last session that will increase the state gas tax by 12 cents over six years and SCDOT is already putting the new funding to good use! We have seen a large increase in infrastructure projects being advertised for bid and the workload is projected to continue. In, North Carolina it’s business as usual as the N.C. Legislature was wise enough to index their gas tax years ago. Thus, a very bright future is ahead. In both states, the future looks good for the construction industry, but again it is critical that we find the workers!

What are the key legislative issues the industry is facing?

One of our priorities for CAGC in the S.C. Statehouse this year is to acquire funding for our “Be Pro, Be Proud” initiative. This program consists of taking a customized “Big Rig” (outfitted with different bays equipped with construction craftworker “jobs”)  around to schools, career fairs, ball games, etc. This allows “hands on” opportunities for people to see some of the careers available in construction.   I had the honor of speaking at a press conference last session with the Governor and Legislators regarding funding this program. Unfortunately, the funding was cut during a Budget Conference Committee meeting near the end of the Legislative session.

How/When did you get into ministry?

Since I was a teenager, church has been a key part in my life. I taught Sunday School, served as a Deacon, and enjoyed it all. In 2000, I felt that God had something more planned for my life, and after many, many, “talks” with Him I surrendered to the ministry. I have served since then at two churches as Associate Pastor and Pastor. I’ve been at Coneross since 2002. I’ve always said that God calling me as a Pastor just proves He has a great sense of humor!

In a few words, why do you love the construction business?

As I stated earlier, the greatest joy I find in construction is not the projects, the opportunities, nor the money; it’s the relationships. I’ve made many friends through being in this industry. Many have been there for me in good times and bad. Also, I must say how much I appreciate CAGC for allowing me to serve in our association; it has truly been one of the highlights of my life.

How do you strike a work/life balance? Tell us about your family.

As wonderful as work is, there has to be more. I feel that it is imperative that we all understand the importance of our families. I met my wife Robin when she was 15 and I was 16 (No, we didn’t marry then), so we basically grew up together. We married in 1986 just before we both graduated from Clemson. I promised her then that only God would come before her and when our children were born I would always be there for them. I have been blessed to have been able to attend most of my kids’ school events, competitions, etc. My son, Joshua, graduated from Clemson University in 2014 and will graduate from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry in May 2018 (he also married my beautiful daughter-in-law this past June). My daughter Hannah is a sophomore at Clemson University and hopes to attend medical school after Clemson. If this all works out, I’m dropping my health and dental insurance!

Career advice you would like to give others.

Find your passion! Doing what you enjoy makes your life complete. Money, despite what many think, is not the most important thing; there are a lot of miserable millionaires in the world!

A favorite quote.

“In every life there comes a moment when the dreams that you’ve dreamed and the hopes you’ve held onto; become that thing you do!”- From my favorite movie “That Thing You Do!”