many who reach for the rod and
reel after retirement, but as a fisher
of men.
He’s spent decades working his
way up the ranks from night shift
haul truck driver to plant manager
at sites like Raleigh-Durham,
Fountain, Fuquay, Onslow and
Belgrade quarries. Now, he adds a
new title: The Rev. Greg Meadows.
“I’m not leaving Martin Marietta
because I’m dissatisfied or because
I’m necessarily ready to retire,” he
says. “I’m leaving Martin Marietta
because I have another calling.”
At a glance, assuming the role
of pastor at a church appears to be
quite a departure from his 36 years
in mining. Meadows, however,
says his time with Martin Marietta
has actually prepared him for the
challenge.
“There’s no doubt that Martin
Marietta puts its people first –
particularly when it comes to
things like safety,” he says. “As a
leader in the faith, I have to do
the same. I have to make sure the
well-being of the congregation
always comes first.”
His first life has prepared him for
his second in a host of other ways,
he says.
While praising this year’s
mandatory ethics training as
evidence of the company’s
commitment to ethical behavior,
Meadows says that working at
Martin Marietta and the church
both require a high level of
integrity. Next, both positions
involve a great deal of community
outreach, he says, adding that
some in the Mid-Atlantic Division
jokingly refer to him as the “Mayor
of Maysville” – he’s lived in the
small Jones County town, home to
Belgrade Quarry, for nearly his
entire life and grins from ear to ear
as the nickname escapes his lips.
Finally, while crushing rock and
nurturing souls may appear to be
polar opposites, both tasks actually
require traits like dedication, hard
work and ingenuity. Meadows has
already spent two years earning
his license as a pastor. To maintain
his standing in the church,
he’ll have to attend continuing
education courses for at least the
next five years. Despite being in
his early 60s, he’s more than ready
to put in the work.
“I don’t know that I could ever
‘just retire’ because it’s in my
nature to be productive,” he says.
“It was that way on the tobacco
farm when I was growing up and
it’s been like that at Martin
Marietta.
“I’ve always sought better ways
to do something and I’ve always
tried to improve. That’s how I
want to spend my time as a pastor.
If I keep listening and keep
learning, it will never grow old
and never get stale.”
It’s that attitude that has
endeared Meadows to his team
and to scores of others across
the company.
Raleigh District Production
Manager Arlen Carpenter has
known of Meadows’ plans for well
over a year. Still, as his official
Jan. 2, 2018, retirement date
nears, there is no easy way to face
his leaving the business.
“Greg has the remarkable gift of
making everyone he talks with
feel as though they are the most
important person around. He
truly cares about people and that
is what makes him such a wonderful
person and such a valuable
part of our business,” Carpenter
says. “I consider the men and
women of his church to be quite
lucky. He has a lot of knowledge
and wisdom to impart. I have no
doubt that he’ll be as vital to their
operation as he’s been to ours.” ▼
Meadows’
congregation
consists of about
70 families who
attend services
at the Asbury
United Methodist
Church in Asbury,
North Carolina.
The church is a
stone’s throw from
Belgrade Quarry.
www.martinmarietta.com | November/December 2017 The Conveyor 15
“I’m leaving Martin Marietta
because I have another calling.”
/www.martinmarietta.com