Our Founder

American Asphalt Company – A Story of God’s Faithfulness

While the company was founded in 1903, its rebirth came when it was acquired by Chairman Robert Brown in 1986. Below, Bob shares the personal circumstances that led him to purchase the company and the foundation that makes American Asphalt what it is today.

It was 1986 and I was broke. I had just sold a family business, but the ‘buyer’ failed to meet his obligations and left me in a real financial bind. I had a family to provide for, no job, and no other source of income. When I was made aware of a small asphalt business that was for sale, I could not have dreamed that I could acquire it nor that it would one day grow into the vibrant, market-leader that it is today. In addition to having no money, I knew nothing of the asphalt business. So, what happened?

First, I was encouraged to approach a number of individuals who knew and trusted me. Ten of them each agreed to lend money to help me acquire the business. A banker I knew also stepped up and agreed to provide the balance of the funds needed. Looking back, it is easy to see God’s hand of God at work in my life. But the funding was only the first step. With the acquisition complete, I needed knowledgeable people. Once again, the Lord provided by bringing to me people with integrity and strong principles. He also gave me the discernment to be able to weed-out those whose values did not align with mine.

There was a great deal of hard work, often made all the harder by some of the mistakes we made in the early days. Like any other business, we needed customers and God blessed us with some of the finest, with whose help we were able to become profitable and gradually to reinvest and grow. Could things have gone in a different direction? I have no doubt that, without God’s direction and encouragement, we could have ended up in a very different place.

As the things continued to improve, I was constantly reminded that the Lord had further expectations and challenges for the business. Why couldn’t American Asphalt better serve customers by being open when others were closed? Why couldn’t a contractor build strong relationships with employees, vendors, and customers? Why couldn’t fairness and security be something that every employee could count on? Over time, the answers to such questions formed American Asphalt’s RIGHT core values by which we run the company everyday.

God’s faithfulness continues to be evident as American Asphalt keeps flourishing, even through the difficulties of economic down-turns. But, that’s not the end of this story. Today, we are a strong team, led by consummate professionals and blessed with diligent and loyal team members. Yet, we have come to understand that we are stewards of this business that God has called us to run for Him. We sense that He is calling us to continue to grow and develop the business with excellence, so that everything we do may touch lives for Jesus Christ and for God’s Eternal Kingdom.

Yours in Christ
Bob Brown
Chairman

“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.”
– Jeremiah 29:11