Year Inducted: 1998
M
ichael
B.
McCartney, President of McCartney Construction Co., Inc., and Calhoun Asphalt Co., Inc., is a leader in advancing en- gineering technology within the state of Alabama and nationally. His efforts over the last 35 years have directly impacted millions of Americans using our nation’s roadways.
Michael B. McCartney
A Leader in Advancing America’s Highway System
Born in Gadsden, Alabama on April 2, 1934, McCartney received a bachelors’s de- gree in civil engineering from Auburn Uni- versity in 1957. After graduation, he worked with the Florida State Road Department as an engineer in training and then as a project engineer. He then worked with Cone Broth- ers Contracting Company of Tampa, Florida as Asphalt Superintendent in charge of as- phalt plants and all asphalt construction. In 1962, McCartney returned to Gadsden, Ala- bama to join his father at McCartney Con- struction Company, Inc., and Calhoun As- phalt Company Inc. At present he serves as president of both companies.
During his career, McCartney has served as President of the Alabama Asphalt Pave- ment Association and as President of the Ala- bama Roadbuilders Association. He is cur- rently the State Director for the National As- phalt Pavement Association and serves as a Director of The Road Information Program (T.R.I.P.).
McCartney played a key role in bringing the National Center for Asphalt Technology (N.C.A.T.) to the Auburn campus, and he has
been a member of the Board of Directors since it opened. The Center has become internationally known as the premier re- search institution focused on hot mix asphalt. Dur- ing his tenure, N.C.A.T.’s annual budget has grown from $300,000 to more than $2,000,000. The industry it serves is responsible for more than
$11 billion in annual revenues.
McCartney was appointed to a twelve- year term to the Auburn Board of Trustees in 1979 and again in 1991. He was elected President Pro Tem of the board in 1988, and served in this capacity until his tenure ended. He has received numerous honors from Au- burn, including a chapter honor membership from Chi Epsilon in 1982, the Auburn Engi- neering Council Distinguished Auburn En- gineer Award in 1993, and Auburn’s highest honor, a Doctor of Science Degree (Honoris Causa) in 1994.
McCartney has a strong sense of civic responsibility, and has served his commu- nity in numerous capacities. Among these include his service as a Director of the Gadsden Chamber of Commerce and the Metropolitan Planning Commission. He served as Captain of the Gadsden Quarterback Club in 1982. He has also served as a member of the Board of the First United Methodist Church and Chair- man of the Board of Trustees of the Church.
Mike and Jane reside in Gadsden, Ala- bama. They have three children and seven grandchildren.
