Source: Vulcan Materials Co., Birmingham, Ala.
Sealing a previously announced executive leadership transition, Vulcan Materials directors have named Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer J. Thomas Hill successor to President and CEO Donald James, who becomes executive chairman. CFO John McPherson has been promoted to chief financial and strategy officer, gaining responsibilities for both strategy and human resources functions, while retaining an executive vice president title.
“Having successfully navigated the worst downturn in our industry’s history, now is the right time to put in place our new leadership team,” says James. “Tom Hill has been a tremendous asset over the years, particularly as we enhanced profitability and financial strength during the market downturn and positioned the company for strong performance during the recovery. [As] a proven leader with vast operational and industry experience and superlative management skills, he is the right person at the right time to lead our company in its next phase of growth.
“John McPherson has proven to be an extremely valuable member of our senior management team since 2011. His experience as an investment banker and management consultant, and successful tenure as one of Vulcan’s regional senior vice presidents, have prepared him well to assist Tom in leading our company forward.”
The newly formed executive team of McPherson, West Region Senior Vice President Stan Bass, Senior Vice President and General Counsel Michael Mills, notes Hill, “along with our superior regional vice presidents, general managers and employees throughout the Company, are focused on the continuing strategic expansion of our world class assets and geographic footprint in high growth markets … Building on our record of steady strategic growth in key U.S. markets, we will further and significantly enhance Vulcan’s unmatched competitive position in the industry.”
Hill has served in a variety of operations and general management assignments of increasing responsibility for nearly 25 years at Vulcan, first joining the company in 1979. Prior to appointment as executive vice president and COO, he served as South Region senior vice president, and president of the Florida Rock Division and Southwest Division. He returned to Vulcan as Southwest Division vice president and general manager following a 1990–1996 tour of duty in sales and operations management at Redlands Stone Products.