DON RICHARDS
Heidelberg Materials
Buford,GA
30
years of professional experience
Senior aggregates and construction materials executive with 30+ years of leadership experience driving profitable growth, operational excellence, pricing performance, and organizational transformation. Proven track record leading multi-site operations representing more than $185M in annual revenue and 7.75M tons of production while developing high-performing teams, improving margins, and executing long-term growth strategies.
Executive leader with responsibility for a $185M aggregates and recycling business generating 7.75M tons annually. Leads more than 200 employees across 10 aggregate operations. Former Continuous Improvement Manager supporting 38 quarries and 8 rail terminals. Proven record of margin expansion, pricing growth, operational excellence, talent development, and sustainable growth.
Work History
General Manager, Georgia Aggregates & Recycling
9 Years 7 Months- Full P&L responsibility for 10 aggregate operations and recycling businesses generating $185M in annual revenue and 7.75M tons of sales volume, leading more than 200 employees across Georgia.
- Accountability for safety, profitability, commercial execution, capital allocation, and strategic planning.
- Expanded operating margins from 35% to 42% through pricing leadership, operational performance improvements, and cost management.
- Drove average annual realized pricing growth of 7.4% from 2016-2025 through disciplined commercial execution and market strategy
- Expanded sustainable product volumes by 250% through GDOT approval and commercialization of R30 Revolve.
- Developed leadership talent with multiple direct reports promoted into larger management roles.
- Recognized leader in sustainability and recycled aggregates initiatives.
Continuous Improvement Manager, South Region
3 Years 6 Months- Supported 38 quarries and 8 rail terminals across the region.
- Partnered with regional leadership on KPI performance, best practices, and operational improvement programs.
Operations Manager, Multi-Site Plant Manager, Plant Manager
8 Years 9 Months- Managed 10 quarries, 93 hourly employees, supervisors, and managers.
- Reduced production costs by 5% to 12% at multiple sites.
- Led safety culture improvements that contributed to zero lost-time incidents across Georgia operations.
- Managed capital expansion projects and business transition activities.
Multiple Positions
5 Years- Progressive leadership roles in aggregates operations in Georgia and Alabama.
Engineering and Operations
3 Years 3 Months- Multiple engineering and operations roles covering short range mine planning, shift supervision, haul fleet optimization, project management, mine closure calculations, and long range mine planning.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Mining Engineering
Bachelor of Science - JUMP Leadership Program
Skills
Leadership and team building
Problem resolution
Operations management
Team player
P&L management
Team training and development
Performance improvement
Project planning
Budget coordination
Accomplishments
- Managed operations producing up to 3 million tons annually.
- Delivered measurable cost reductions across multiple quarry operations.
- Led major capital expansion and process improvement initiatives.
- Developed multiple supervisors and managers promoted into leadership positions.
- Training presenter for HM - Aggregates Academy.
Affiliations
- Missouri S&T – Mining Engineering Alumni Board
- GCAA – Management Workshop Chairman – 4 Years
- Scouting BSA – Troop Committee Chair
- Scouting BSA - HM representative – Northeast Georgia Council Executive Board
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
NSSGA Gold Eagle Award, NSSGA Silver Eagle Award, NSSGA Pinnacle Award for Community Involvement, GCAA – Eagle Award
CORE EXECUTIVE COMPETENCIES
Strategic Planning | Operational Excellence | Continuous Improvement | Safety Leadership | Recycling | Cost Optimization | Talent Development | Capital Project Management | Change Management | Mine & Quarry Operations | Executive Stakeholder Engagement
Timeline
General Manager, Georgia Aggregates & Recycling
Heidelberg Materials
01.2017 - CurrentRead More
Continuous Improvement Manager, South Region
Heidelberg Materials
06.2013 - 12.2016Read More
Operations Manager, Multi-Site Plant Manager, Plant Manager
Lafarge Aggregates
09.2004 - 06.2013Read More
Multiple Positions
Hanson Aggregates
09.1999 - 09.2004Read More
Engineering and Operations
BHP Billiton
06.1996 - 09.1999Read More
University of Missouri-Rolla
Bachelor of Science from Mining Engineering
Read More
Duke University
Bachelor of Science from JUMP Leadership Program
Read More