Materials Change
As momentum continues to build in the resurgent construction market, Vulcan Materials Company is busy renovating its leadership team. The Birmingham-based company has named MICHAEL MILLS general counsel, senior vice president, and corporate compliance officer. He'll report to CEO Donald James.
Mills replaces ROBERT WASON, who will retire in October 2013 after nearly 25 years with the company. Wason will serve as senior adviser to Vulcan's executive management team until his departure.
Vulcan is the nation's largest producer of construction aggregates—primarily crushed stone, sand, and gravel—and a major supplier of asphalt and ready-mixed concrete. There have been talks of a Vulcan buyout by Martin Marietta Materials Inc., Vulcan's primary competitor, but at press time a deal between the two hadn't materialized. Vulcan brings in annual revenues of about $2.6 billion, compared with Martin Marietta's $1.7 billion.
Mills's GC appointment marks the apex of a long career with Vulcan. He joined the company in 1991 and most recently served as SVP of its East Region. Previous titles include president of Vulcan's Southeast Division, VP and general manager for the West Region of the Midsouth Division, and associate general counsel.
The new GC has a bachelor's degree from Harvard University and a J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law. He also has an MBA in his tool belt from Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Management. Before going in-house, Mills was an associate at Miller, Hamilton, Snider & Odom in Mobile. He clerked in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia after graduating from law school.
Rounding out Vulcan's management remodeling, John McPherson, previously SVP of strategic planning and business development, will replace Mills as East Region senior vice president, and former construction materials EVP Dan Shepherd will assume the post of chief operating officer as the company forges ahead.
—S.G.
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