The Beginning of a Hall of Fame Career
In 2016 at a black tie event in Nashville, Steve Zelnak took the stage to accept his induction into the Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame. As the audience applauded the long-time veteran of the aggregates industry, Zelnak began to share his story.
"When you get an award like this, it really makes you reflect back," Zelnak said to the crowd. "In my case, I said 'how in the world did I get into the aggregates business?'"
Zelnak began his journey as a volunteer US Army explosive ordnance disposal officer, or in his words "someone who got to blow things up." He proudly donned a red cap around the base but joked that the reason he and his fellow teammates were made to wear them was to "identify and certify the lunatics."
After leaving the Army, Zelnak accepted a job with a financial services company in Fort Wayne, IN. But it was a bit too cold. So he browsed the job ads section of the newspaper and saw a posting for a market and research analyst in the aggregates industry in Birmingham, AL. Zelnak applied without any knowledge of what the term 'aggregates' meant.
"Just like in the army where I got to blow things up to disarm them, in the aggregates business I got to blow things up!" he joked to the Pit & Quarry crowd at his induction ceremony. From there, Zelnak went on to reshape the aggregates industry.
Zelnak Builds Martin Marietta into a Powerhouse
In 1981, Zelnak joined a then struggling aggregates division of Martin Marietta. He took charge of the division shortly after in 1982 and began to make a major impact.
Profits consistently grew into the late 1980s. "We were flowing cash beautifully," Zelnak said.
Although his strategy was not welcomed by all, Zelnak saw an opportunity to provide much-needed supplies to the fast-growing US inland population. His vision saw Martin Marietta grow at an unprecedented rate.
Martin Marietta began serving markets from North Carolina all the way to the border of Mexico. As CEO, Zelnak grew revenue from $450 million to $2.2 billion and made 70 business acquisitions.
In 2010, Zelnak retired as chairman and CEO of Martin Marietta and served on its board of directors for ten more years.
Growing Businesses the Ethical Way
More importantly than the additional revenue Zelnak brought, he also instilled a strong code of morals and ethics for the business and its employees. The goal was always to create a culture that was high performing and highly ethical.
"You always know what to do here, because you do the right thing" a Martin Marietta team member commented.
Zelnak went on to say that the very people who work in aggregates are the ones who do the right thing and are the inspiration behind his insistence on ethical business practices. "This industry is the foundation of America, it's an industry that truly builds America. When I went out and met people, it's people who are the backbone of America."
During his tenure, Zelnak also ensured that Martin Marietta was an equal opportunity employer, advocating for more women to be hired in his business. Under his leadership, the company made five appearances on Fortune magazine’s list of America’s most admired companies.
A New Venture Begins
Zelnak and longtime friend Kristy Dunn took the reins here at Sykes Supply in 2020. Seeing a business that had been established in 1939, was represented by more than 700 supplier brands, and worked across various industries in the MRO space appealed to Zelnak.
“If you were trying to become a distributor for those brands today, you just can’t do it,” said Zelnak. “They have all the distributors they want.”
Along with Dunn, Zelnak has brought a tremendous amount of positive growth to the company including an initiative to expand into aggregates, as well as adding an eCommerce website to better serve customers.
Sykes has also decided to strengthen its partnership with Pit & Quarry, a leading online information source for aggregate producers. Together, they're working to promote Sykes' new motor and gearbox products. Zelnak said of companies in the aggregates and mining industry, "If they have heavy equipment, they need motors and gearboxes."
Philanthropic Hearts
Zelnak and his wife Judy carry with them a passion for giving back. In 2014, the Zelnaks made a $4 million donation to endow the Stephen P. Zelnak Jr. Dean’s Chair in NC State's Poole College of Management. This provided Dean Ira Weiss with the resources needed to elevate the college's profile.
“Application is very important at NC State, not just learning for the sake of learning,” said Zelnak. “And at the end of the day, the world goes to the doers.”
Prior to 2014, the Zelnaks also gifted NC State with the ability to establish a term professorship in marketing innovation in 1999. In 2004, the couple launched the Martin Marietta Endowed Scholarship Fund to support incoming Poole College of Management freshmen.
Aside from contributions to NC State, the Judy D. Zelnak Center of Hope is also home to the Salvation Army’s social ministry programs in Wake County.
To Conclude & To Continue
"If I had the opportunity to write the script [of my life] again, what would I change? The fact is, I wouldn't change a single line of that script."
Steve Zelnak closed his induction speech with those words, shook hands, and left the stage to applause. But this certainly isn't the moment we'll see Zelnak riding off into the sunset.
Instead, he's brought his years of experience, business prowess, and ethical leadership style here to Sykes Supply. Our entire team feeds off of his knowledge and appreciation for industrial supply and the aggregates industry.
We'd value the opportunity to guide you to the right aggregates solutions, including motors, gearboxes, and more. Under the direction of owners Steve Zelnak and Kristy Dunn, our team is here to serve the industry that is "the foundation of America."
The Beginning of a Hall of Fame Career
In 2016 at a black tie event in Nashville, Steve Zelnak took the stage to accept his induction into the Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame. As the audience applauded the long-time veteran of the aggregates industry, Zelnak began to share his story.
"When you get an award like this, it really makes you reflect back," Zelnak said to the crowd. "In my case, I said 'how in the world did I get into the aggregates business?'"
Zelnak began his journey as a volunteer US Army explosive ordnance disposal officer, or in his words "someone who got to blow things up." He proudly donned a red cap around the base but joked that the reason he and his fellow teammates were made to wear them was to "identify and certify the lunatics."
After leaving the Army, Zelnak accepted a job with a financial services company in Fort Wayne, IN. But it was a bit too cold. So he browsed the job ads section of the newspaper and saw a posting for a market and research analyst in the aggregates industry in Birmingham, AL. Zelnak applied without any knowledge of what the term 'aggregates' meant.
"Just like in the army where I got to blow things up to disarm them, in the aggregates business I got to blow things up!" he joked to the Pit & Quarry crowd at his induction ceremony. From there, Zelnak went on to reshape the aggregates industry.
Zelnak Builds Martin Marietta into a Powerhouse
In 1981, Zelnak joined a then struggling aggregates division of Martin Marietta. He took charge of the division shortly after in 1982 and began to make a major impact.
Profits consistently grew into the late 1980s. "We were flowing cash beautifully," Zelnak said.
Although his strategy was not welcomed by all, Zelnak saw an opportunity to provide much-needed supplies to the fast-growing US inland population. His vision saw Martin Marietta grow at an unprecedented rate.
Martin Marietta began serving markets from North Carolina all the way to the border of Mexico. As CEO, Zelnak grew revenue from $450 million to $2.2 billion and made 70 business acquisitions.
In 2010, Zelnak retired as chairman and CEO of Martin Marietta and served on its board of directors for ten more years.
Growing Businesses the Ethical Way
More importantly than the additional revenue Zelnak brought, he also instilled a strong code of morals and ethics for the business and its employees. The goal was always to create a culture that was high performing and highly ethical.
"You always know what to do here, because you do the right thing" a Martin Marietta team member commented.
Zelnak went on to say that the very people who work in aggregates are the ones who do the right thing and are the inspiration behind his insistence on ethical business practices. "This industry is the foundation of America, it's an industry that truly builds America. When I went out and met people, it's people who are the backbone of America."
During his tenure, Zelnak also ensured that Martin Marietta was an equal opportunity employer, advocating for more women to be hired in his business. Under his leadership, the company made five appearances on Fortune magazine’s list of America’s most admired companies.
A New Venture Begins
Zelnak and longtime friend Kristy Dunn took the reins here at Sykes Supply in 2020. Seeing a business that had been established in 1939, was represented by more than 700 supplier brands, and worked across various industries in the MRO space appealed to Zelnak.
“If you were trying to become a distributor for those brands today, you just can’t do it,” said Zelnak. “They have all the distributors they want.”
Along with Dunn, Zelnak has brought a tremendous amount of positive growth to the company including an initiative to expand into aggregates, as well as adding an eCommerce website to better serve customers.
Sykes has also decided to strengthen its partnership with Pit & Quarry, a leading online information source for aggregate producers. Together, they're working to promote Sykes' new motor and gearbox products. Zelnak said of companies in the aggregates and mining industry, "If they have heavy equipment, they need motors and gearboxes."
Philanthropic Hearts
Zelnak and his wife Judy carry with them a passion for giving back. In 2014, the Zelnaks made a $4 million donation to endow the Stephen P. Zelnak Jr. Dean’s Chair in NC State's Poole College of Management. This provided Dean Ira Weiss with the resources needed to elevate the college's profile.
“Application is very important at NC State, not just learning for the sake of learning,” said Zelnak. “And at the end of the day, the world goes to the doers.”
Prior to 2014, the Zelnaks also gifted NC State with the ability to establish a term professorship in marketing innovation in 1999. In 2004, the couple launched the Martin Marietta Endowed Scholarship Fund to support incoming Poole College of Management freshmen.
Aside from contributions to NC State, the Judy D. Zelnak Center of Hope is also home to the Salvation Army’s social ministry programs in Wake County.
To Conclude & To Continue
"If I had the opportunity to write the script [of my life] again, what would I change? The fact is, I wouldn't change a single line of that script."
Steve Zelnak closed his induction speech with those words, shook hands, and left the stage to applause. But this certainly isn't the moment we'll see Zelnak riding off into the sunset.
Instead, he's brought his years of experience, business prowess, and ethical leadership style here to Sykes Supply. Our entire team feeds off of his knowledge and appreciation for industrial supply and the aggregates industry.
We'd value the opportunity to guide you to the right aggregates solutions, including motors, gearboxes, and more. Under the direction of owners Steve Zelnak and Kristy Dunn, our team is here to serve the industry that is "the foundation of America."
