Johnson Concrete - Our Team

Our Team

Executive Leadership:

Frances H. Johnson President		I became involved in Johnson Concrete in 1947 when my husband, Allen, decided that he wanted to go into the block and pipe business. Allen and I met in college at Duke University where we were both studying Economics. The first Johnson Concrete location was on Klumac Rd. in Salisbury, where our pipe plant still operates today. Allen and I had four children: I mostly stayed at home while he managed the daily operations of our business. I become integrally involved in Johnson Concrete when Allen passed away in 1982. It was important to me to keep the business within our family and to continue providing jobs in Rowan County for our dedicated employees. We have incredible employees, many of whom have been here almost as long as I. Charles Newsome became Executive Vice President and he and I continue to work closely together when making decisions for Johnson Concrete's future. I currently live in Salisbury with my daughter, Judy, and my cat Molly and enjoy watching Duke basketball, knitting, and book club. I'm a member of the First United Methodist Church of Salisbury and a director on the board of BV Hedrick Industries. Previously I was on the board of Insteel Industries, the Catawba College Board of Trustees, the executive committee of the Duke University National Council and have served as president of the Salisbury YMCA. I convey two primary messages to our team: 1) be good citizens of your communities and 2) understand what's important to your customers and deliver on the promises you make to them. I'm excited that our employees continue to work diligently towards these goals and seem to truly enjoy the jobs they perform on a daily basis. I'm proud that Johnson Concrete continues to be a family-owned business manufacturing in the USA; I've watched many disappear over the years. I'm also proud that my kids and grandkids have become involved in the company and are dedicated to carrying on our tradition.

Charles Newsome Executive Vice President		I grew up on a tobacco farm in Greenville, NC believing that I wanted a career in law. After graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill with a degree in Marketing and being accepted into their law school, I realized that I didn't, in fact, want to become a lawyer. Instead, I decided to go into cement sales. After several years of working for Giant Cement, I was tasked with talking to the owner of Johnson Concrete and its sister companies, Carolina Stalite and Tufflite, about Giant's interest in purchasing his businesses. Allen Johnson offered me a job once it became clear that an acquisition wouldn't happen. I began my partnership with the Johnson family as General Manager at Stalite and Tufflite and after several years became Executive Vice President of Johnson Concrete, too. Currently I live in Salisbury with my wife, Chris, where I'm an Elder at Thyatira Presbyterian Church. I enjoy spending time with our two children, Helen and Jimmy, and am a proud new grandfather to Willoughby. Outside of work and family, my passion is mission work. I've had the opportunity to travel to Zambia fifteen times in the past twenty-one years and watch a village evolve through the creation of a care center for orphans and vulnerable children, the construction of a hospital complete with laptops and internet, and the development of educational and agricultural programs. We have completed the fundraising for our $.5 million endowment and our next project is to add a sanctuary to the village church using concrete blocks made on-site in wooden boxes. Additionally, I recruited an architect and hired a supervisor to oversee the building of a hospital in Haiti and a chapel in Brazil. I have served on the Executive Committee of the Education Foundation at UNC-Chapel Hill, and currently serve on the board of the Carolinas Concrete Masonry Association (CCMA), the board of the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA), the board of the NCMA Foundation, and the board of Insteel Industries. I'm a past president of CCMA. It surprises some people that I haven't yet decided to retire. I continue working because I still enjoy the people with whom I work: customers, suppliers, partners, and employees. Many of our employees were entry-level when they started and I've enjoyed watching them grow into management positions and helping in their development through coaching, providing leadership, and teaching them the importance of listening. I also enjoy the process of building and seeing plans come to fruition.

We at Johnson Concrete extend sincere thanks to the following individuals for providing 50+ years of service:

Evelyn Eller	Willie Williams	F.G. Smith "Smitty" (704) 202-0385

Corporate:


Angie Pethel Accounts Payable & Inside Sales Representative (704) 636-5231		A native of High Point, I now reside in Salisbury with my husband and our two boys. I joined the Accounts Payable department of Johnson Concrete in 2006. Outside of work I enjoy fishing, reading, playing computer games, and watching sports, especially when my sons are playing!

Cheryl Williams Corporate Office Manager (704) 636-5231

David Bates Corporate Production Manager (704) 245-3985		In 1987, I joined Johnson Concrete as a dispatcher for Piedmont Block in Concord. I was promoted to Plant Manager in 1988 and am now the Corporate Production Manager. Happily married to Beth for 37 years, I believe she's as beautiful today as the day I met her in 1973. We have three children: Jay, 36; Bryon, 33; and Kresen, 22. I enjoy watching college basketball and playing golf, even though I am and always will be a solid D player. As an Elder at Thyatira Presbyterian Church in Salisbury I'm active in Youth Ministry and community service projects. I've enjoyed traveling to Zambia and Mexico on mission trips and building Habitat homes in Rowan County. I'm a member of Carolinas Concrete Masonry Association (CCMA) and have served on several committees, including most recently one to promote masonry-framed homes. I love my job because it's a constant evolution. We've always sold a core set of products, but the production methods and the market in which they're sold has changed so much during my tenure here. Johnson Concrete maintains a fluidity that allows it to adapt and shape itself around current trends so it's exciting for me to continuously improve our staple products and bring new ones into the mix. I enjoy the challenges associated with making strategic decisions for Johnson Concrete and chasing the opportunities that we decide to pursue. Furthermore, I enjoy making friends within the industry and watching youngsters develop and grow to be leaders. I strive for my plants to produce the best products, deliver them with the best customer service, and to consistently exceed the expectations of our customers.

Jody Wall Corporate Quality Control Manager (704) 640-8281

Kathryn Smith Marketing Manager & Architectural Products Sales (919) 625-1801		In 2007, I joined Johnson Concrete after receiving a Bachelor of Science in Textile and Apparel Management from NC State University and working as a Design Studio Consultant for Beazer Homes. Originally from High Point, I now live in Raleigh with my husband, Aaron, and our dog, Hogan. I am a member of the Junior League of Raleigh and the North Carolina History Museum. I enjoy tennis, golf, traveling, and spending time with my parents, Dave and Linda Zenns, and siblings, Laura and David Zenns. At Johnson Concrete, I manage most of our marketing initiatives and ensure architects are familiar with our product offerings and how to use them. I'm an active member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Triangle Chapter, The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association (NCMCA), and Carolinas Concrete Masonry Association (CCMA). The highlight of my job is developing relationships with our customers and other decision-makers within the industry.

Ken Morrison Accounts Receivable & Inside Sales Representative (704) 636-5231

Sandy Cummings Bookkeeper (704) 636-5231

Sherry Beck Hardscapes Sales Manager (704) 506-5202		"A customer is the most important visitor on our premises; he is not dependent on us. We are dependent on him. He is not an interruption in our work. He is the purpose of it. He is not an outsider in our business. He is part of it. We are not doing him a favor by serving him, he is doing us a favor by giving us an opportunity to do so." I reference this quote by Mahatma Gandhi because it is in essence what I preach at Johnson Concrete. When I started in 2008, Johnson Concrete primarily sold wholesale concrete blocks to dealers and contractors. We've since begun concentrating on the residential hardscapes market by expanding our selection of Versa-Lok retaining wall products and acquiring the Eagle Bay concrete paver product line. This has increased retail traffic; we now host regular DIY events at our design centers and even rent equipment. It has been a challenging experience transforming our business model and growing into these new endeavors but nothing pleases me more than working with a customer to design his or her dream outdoor living space and then watching it come to fruition. Prior to joining Johnson Concrete, I spent 19+ years with FSI selling office supplies. I'm from Statesville but now live in Troutman with my husband, Steve. We have five children and five grandchildren! In addition to spending time with family and friends, I enjoy landscaping, interior design, gardening, and traveling. I'm a certified NCMA SRW Installer Advanced Instructor, aerobics instructor, a Master Gardener, a member of the Salisbury Diva Supper Club, a member of the Lake Norman Garden Club, and a member of the Hardscapes Committee of CCMA.

Starling Johnson Corporate Sales Manager (704) 640-7300		I'll never forget career day in my Kindergarten class. Most other girls wanted to be ballerinas or nurses; I wanted to be a business woman. We had to dress the part so I picked out a pair of chinos and a polo shirt because my mom, too, was a business woman and that's what she wore to work everyday. Unlike the ballerinas, none of my classmates guessed my costume but that day will forever be engrained in my childhood memory. I feel very blessed to be a part of Johnson Concrete, performing a job that I love and continuing a legacy of which I'm very proud. Born and raised in Salisbury, I graduated valedictorian from West Rowan High and cum laude from Duke University with double majors in Economics and Sociology. After college, I moved to Chicago and worked for Accenture as a consultant to utility companies. While I enjoyed some aspects of corporate, I had known since Kindergarten that I wanted a career in family business. I moved back home to North Carolina, left Accenture, and began working for Johnson Concrete in April of 2010. I currently split time between Salisbury and Charlotte with my foster "child" from a local Great Dane rescue organization. I've enjoyed becoming friends with customers and colleagues and hope to continue building relationships based on mutual respect, trust, and appreciation. I also take pride in Johnson Concrete's ethical business practices, collaborative culture, and investment in local communities. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, watching Duke basketball, yoga, dining out, shopping, and spending time with family. I'm an active member of the North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association (NCMCA), Carolinas Concrete Masonry Association (CCMA), a Director on the RCCC Foundation Board, and serve on the Board of Directors for Rowan County Chamber of Commerce.

Steve Bell Architectural Products Sales Manager (919) 422-6883		Born in San Diego and raised in South Boston, Virginia, I currently live in Concord with my wife, Gigi, and ten-year-old son, Zachary. I joined Johnson Concrete in April of 1998; prior to that, I worked at Lightweight Block Company in Lexington for ten years, attended Danville Community College for two years and served in the Army for two years. My focus now is on how to maximize the performance of decorative concrete masonry: I'm an North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association (NCMCA) Certified Masonry Professional, National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) Certified Consultant of Concrete Masonry, and a Certified Construction Documents Technologist and Continuing Education Provider. I'm actively involved in the NCMA, NCMCA, Carolinas Concrete Masonry Association (CCMA), Homebuilders Association (HBA), and Cabarrus County Chamber of Commerce. Other interests include fishing, golf, football, and remodeling homes.

Tisha Plesz Account Collections, Accounts Payable, & Inside Sales Representative (704) 636-5231		A graduate of Mount Pleasant High, I was raised and continue to live in Concord. I began working in the office at Piedmont Block in 1999. As the primary office contact for Concord customers, I've been able to build strong relationships and provide them with service that's superior to what they find elsewhere. I enjoy maintaining a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for our increased volume of walk-in traffic that has resulted from Johnson Concrete's recent foray into hardscapes, equipment rental, and other retail avenues. Outside of work, I like to country line dance and spend time with my two dogs, both of whom are spoiled rotten.

Eastern Division:

Herb Jeffreys Eastern Sales Manager (919) 868-1528

Kathy Grice Willow Spring Office Manager/Retail Associate (919) 552-0233		Born in Selma, I currently live in Benson with my husband, Luther. We have a son, Josh, and a granddaughter Haylee. I enjoy painting and organic gardening. Prior to joining Johnson Concrete, I worked for Computer Resources, Inc. as a software analyst and trainer for accounting programs written specifically for the concrete block and ready-mix concrete industry. I began working at Johnson Concrete in 2000 as Office Manager for our Eastern Division and now have twenty years experience in the concrete block industry. What I like most about my job is the people for whom I work and the customers with whom I get to interact. It's always my goal to exceed customer expectations with professionalism and to resolve problems or issues quickly and responsibly.

Mack Albright Triangle Sales Manager (919) 524-3925		I came to Johnson Concrete in 2001, having had 25+ years of experience in the masonry industry. My beautiful wife, Wendy, and I live in Durham and have been happily married for 18 years. We have two daughters, Kelly and Katie, and two grandchildren, Ragan (three years) and Deacon (five months). I'm passionate about my children and grandchildren and served as PTSA president when my kids were attending Durham Middle School. I'm also a member of Bethesda Ruritan Club and regularly attend church with my family. Concrete masonry is the ideal choice for safe, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing construction and I enjoy addressing problems and helping people adapt the product to their project needs. I'm a Certified Construction Document Technologist, Certified Consultant of Concrete Masonry, Director on the Board of the Durham Homebuilders Association (HBA), member of Raleigh Masons Association, and member of the Professional Construction Estimators Association (PCEA). I enjoy the family atmosphere of Johnson Concrete, derive pleasure from mentoring the younger generation, and strive to provide the leadership and professionalism to keep Johnson Concrete a viable business for years to come. In my spare time, I enjoy golf, music, cooking, and watching Duke basketball.

Sam Bond Willow Spring Site Manager (919) 524-7009		Born in Selma, I currently reside in Clayton with my wife, Allyson, and our two children: Haley and Samuel. I received a BS in Business Management from UNCW and joined Johnson Concrete in 2008 as a salesman for the Triangle market. Johnson Concrete now offers so many different types of products that I'm constantly gaining new experience and knowledge; my job is never boring and there are always new challenges. I enjoy working with our customers and providing expertise and product recommendations to help them solve their project needs. The attentiveness we show our customers sets us apart from our competition and I strive to be the industry's best resource for them. I primarily focus on our residential customers and regularly attend Johnston County Homebuilders Association (HBA) meetings. Outside of work you'll find me spending time with my family and friends, attending NC State and Carolina Hurricanes games, fishing, and playing golf.

Steve Bryant Eastern Dispatch & Rental Associate (919) 552-0233

Tim Powell Sales Associate (910) 639-9821

Western Division:

Adam Keziah Pipe Production Foreman & Western Rental Coordinator (704) 202-0393		I joined Johnson Concrete in 1998 and have since been promoted to supervisor of our pipe plant in Salisbury. I'm a certified ACI Concrete Field Tech Level I, NCDOT concrete batch technician, and VDOT concrete plant technician. I'm also active in the American Concrete Pipe Association (ACPA). In 2003 I graduated from ECPI College of Technology with a diploma in Computer Networking Technology. Originally from Sparta, I currently live in Salisbury. I enjoy watching movies, playing video games, and camping and working on automobiles. As a supervisor, I'm responsible for all facets of customer satisfaction and therefore have the opportunity to wear many hats. I enjoy the fact that I can impact product quality through direct control of production in our pipe plant and that I can drive the truck to deliver those pipes when needed to meet customer commitments.

Billy Meade Lexington Site Manager (336) 466-0106		Originally from Coeburn, Virginia, I now live in Moravian Falls with my wife of 31 years, Deborah, and our two cats, Whopper and Joker. In 1977 I began my career as a forklift driver for Unifour Concrete Products in Lenoir and moved to Lexington's Lightweight Block Company in 1979. Over the years I've done it all: truck driver, dispatcher, salesman, production supervisor, and operation manager. I became Site Manager when Johnson Concrete acquired Lightweight Block in 2004. Having survived two acquisitions, I appreciate that Johnson Concrete is family-owned and value the relationships I've formed with people at other Johnson locations. In this business, every day is a new challenge in that we're constantly improving our mix designs, tweaking mold boxes, and offering new colors; it keeps me on my toes. My goal is to make the highest quality custom block possible so that our customers associate Johnson Concrete with being the consistent, no-hassle alternative resulting in fewer callbacks to the job site.

Chuck Vogel Sales Associate (336) 669-2208		Most of my career at Johnson Concrete has been spent on the production side, first working in our pipe plant and then managing our architectural block plant. I recently transitioned to the other side of the equation - sales. Because I know the nuances of every block we make, I'm able to offer extensive product knowledge and am well positioned to answer installers' questions in the field. Prior to joining Johnson Concrete, I spent ten years as a marine. Currently I live in Pinehurst with my wife, Patience, and regularly attend Grace Church in Southern Pines. Raised in Pittsburgh, though, I'm a diehard fan of Steelers and Penn State football. In addition to watching my football teams dominate, I enjoy spending time with my wife and five sons, fishing, and weight training

Cindy Christley Lexington Office Administrator/Retail Associate (336) 248-2918		I grew up in Lexington and still reside there with my husband of 25 years. We have two daughters and are part of an incredible church family at Walters Grove Baptist Church. In addition to spending time with my biological and church families, I enjoy reading. After graduating from DCCC with an Associates Degree in Accounting and working briefly in the furniture industry, I began working in the office of what was then Lightweight Block's plant in Lexington. The plant was acquired by Johnson Concrete in 2004. What I like most about my job is the interaction I get to have with our customers. We've recently built a beautiful hardscapes display at the plant, so I enjoy the opportunity it affords to host cookouts and training events for fellow members of the Lexington community. I strive for each person who walks into our office to receive prompt and accurate information, to have a pleasant experience and to realize how much we appreciate his or her business.

Gene Graham Sales Associate (704) 363-9831		Born in Kannapolis and a graduate of A.L. Brown High School, I currently live in Cornelius with my wife, Susan. I enjoy hunting, fishing, golf, and watching college and professional sports. I'm an active member of St. John's United Church of Christ in Kannapolis and the North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association (NCMCA). I joined Johnson Concrete in 2003 after graduating from East Carolina University with a degree in Industrial Technology and working for Lonnie Graham Brick Contracting. Having been a mason myself, I leverage past experience to help my customers avoid problems during construction. I believe that Johnson Concrete makes an exceptional product and I try to provide the service, accessibility, and knowledge needed to enable my customers' construction projects to run as smoothly as possible. I want my customers to feel like they can call me at any time with questions and to view Johnson Concrete as the preferred source for their masonry products.

Gregg Swartz Western & Pipe Sales Manager (704) 363-9839		After 11 years as a PGA of America Golf Professional in Florida, New York, and Georgia, and having last worked at Gaston Country Club as its Head Golf Professional, I decided it was time for a change and, in 2000, migrated to the construction industry when I accepted a position as Territory Manager at Metromont Materials/CEMEX, focusing on ready mix and masonry sales. In 2006, I joined Johnson Concrete as the Metrolina Sales Manager overseeing the Charlotte Metropolitan area, and was promoted to Western Division Sales Manager (Charlotte, Triad, Sandhills) in 2007. After a nine month stay with Carolina Stalite, the Johnson's lightweight aggregate business, in 2010, I was asked to come back to Johnson Concrete as the Western Sales Manager. I truly enjoy interacting with both our customers and my fellow employees, and cherish building long-lasting relationships with all, striving to make our hard work enjoyable and profitable. Born in St. Louis and having grown up in Darien and Litchfield, CT, I currently live in Davidson with my wife Lesley and our two children, Caroline and Michael. We love living in Davidson and are very active in the community. My kids and I are avid Wildcats fans and I coach basketball and T-ball through the Davidson and Cornelius Parks & Recreation Departments. I also regularly volunteer at Davidson Elementary School and serve as Chairman of its Tiger Fund Direct Giving Campaign and on its PTO Executive Board. Other interests include sports, politics, history, biographies, travel, movies, and cars. My undergraduate degree is from the College of William & Mary in Virginia where I was a Division I Varsity Letter Winner in Golf. I also played in two PGA Tour events, the B.C. Open in Endicott, NY, in 1991-92. Since my involvement in the construction industry, I've completed classes on Negotiation Strategies for Managers at Northwestern's Kellogg School of Executive Education; Masonry Design & Construction at the Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison Dept. of Engineering Professional Development; and the NCMA's Technical Sales Course for Masonry. I'm a certified Concrete Field Testing Technician (CFTT), a certified Concrete Masonry Testing Technician (CCMTT), and am active in the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA), the Carolinas Concrete Masonry Association (CCMA), the North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association (NCMCA), the Ornamental Concrete Producers Association (OCPA), the Professional Construction Estimators Association (PCEA), and the American Concrete Pipe Association (ACPA).

Lynn Hart Dispatch (704) 636-5231		Raised in Roanoke, Virginia, I currently live in Lexington with my husband. We have two daughters and three grandchildren. I worked for Lightweight Block's Lexington plant for 18 years prior to joining Johnson Concrete as part of the 2004 acquisition. My favorite part of dispatching is the involvement I get to have with our customers. Outside of work, I enjoy watching sports and family gatherings.

Mike Johnson Salisbury Site/Production Manager (704) 202-0318		I joined Johnson Concrete in 1994 at Piedmont Block after 10 years in the Marine Corps culminating as a Sergeant in Desert Storm. Although Kannapolis is now home, I will always be from God's Country: Tennessee. Go Vols! As the production manager of our pipe plant, I pride myself in meeting or exceeding DOT and industry standards and positioning Johnson Concrete to be competitive within the precast marketplace. I'm a certified American Concrete Institute (ACI) Concrete Field Tech, NCDOT Concrete Batch Technician, and VDOT Concrete Batch Technician. I also hold an NCDOT Class A permit with endorsements and am an active member of the American Concrete Pipe Association (ACPA) and Carolinas Concrete Pipe and Products Association (CCPPA). Outside of work, I enjoy fishing, hunting, grilling out, and supporting youth sports.

Ricky Jones Concord Site Manager (704) 786-4204		Originally from Hillsborough, I now live in Charlotte with my wife, Sharon and our son, Ethan. I joined Johnson Concrete in February 2008 after receiving my BS in Business Administration and Marketing from Methodist University and pursing a career as an assistant golf professional. As an active member of North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association (NCMCA), I enjoy helping Johnson Concrete become the industry leader in concrete products and customer service. I also enjoy the camaraderie among my Johnson Concrete colleagues and the daily interaction with our customers

Patty Brown Dispatch/Retail Associate (704) 636-5231		Born in Gold Hill, I currently live in China Grove. My daughter, Patrice, and son-in-law, Larry, live in Montana with my grandson, Cole. Since joining Johnson Concrete in 1991, my goal has been to perform all tasks, including dispatching trucks, efficiently and correctly the first time. I've participated in a nationwide testing association class for substance abuse in the workplace and have been trained to recognize employees under the influence. I enjoy meeting new customers and talking with old friends and hope that Johnson Concrete will continue to thrive in these difficult times. In my spare time, I enjoy working in my yard, spending time at the beach, dancing, watching movies, and traveling.

Welcome to Johnson Concrete

Member Login

Our Team

Our Team