The Seamen’s Church Institute’s (SCI) recently held its 18th annual River Bell Awards Luncheon honoring select individuals for their contributions to the U.S. inland marine industry.
SCI honored Scott McGeorge of Pine Bluff Sand & Gravel Company with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Pine Bluff Sand & Gravel is a member company of the Dredging Contractors of America (DCA).
As reported in the Waterways Weekly Journal, “Scott is an absolute gentleman, kind and humble,” said Tony Greer of Pine Bluff Sand & Gravel Company in his introduction of McGeorge for the Lifetime Achievement Award. “And he is a superb advocate for our inland river community.”
Michael Gerhardt, DCA Assistant Executive Director said, “Scott has been a tireless advocate over the years for the DCA’s mission and has made countless contributions to our industry and the nation.” Mr. Gerhardt continued, “His dustpan dredge the Wallace McGeorge, the largest of its kind in the U.S., has ensured that our national economic engine remains strong by dredging the deep draft crossings of the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans.”
Mr. Gerhardt notes, “Scott’s leadership on creating a first-class safety culture for the Pine Bluff Sand and Gravel family speaks to his love for what he does and how much he deeply cares about his people. Scott McGeorge is a true entrepreneur, and we are proud to have him and PBSG as a member. ” Michael Gerhardt concluded with, “Congrats Scott, on this well-deserved, prestigious accolade!”
Scott McGeorge, the third-generation owner of Pine Bluff Sand & Gravel Company succeeded his father as president of the 104-year-old company and passed on his mantle to the fourth generation recently, remaining as senior vice president and chairman of the board. A veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, whose duty included patrolling the coast of Vietnam from Cambodia to the DMZ, Mr. McGeorge has grown Pine Bluff Sand & Gravel during his tenure to include Jeffrey Sand Company, Cranford Construction Company, Cumberland River Quarry, Pine Bluff Materials, and Hunter Marine Sand Operations & Marine Terminal. The company also expanded its fleet to include three 6,000 hp. towboats.
As reported in the Waterways Journal Weekly, McGeorge mostly recognized his team, though, saying, “I work with outstanding people who work safe, smart, and hard.” He talked about the journey toward a better safety record that Pine Bluff Sand & Gravel has undertaken, and of his pride at the improvements that have been made. The company’s marine division has operated over two and a half years without a lost time incident, he said.
Pine Bluff Sand and Gravel traces its roots all the way back to 1913 to Wallace “Percy” McGeorge, a good man with a vision. He set a strong example of integrity and service, building a company that would withstand economic changes, natural disasters, the Great Depression and more. Throughout it all, his business survived – and even thrived. As the years went on, Pine Bluff Sand & Gravel kept moving forward, always focusing on its employees, customer service, safety, quality, and growth.
Today, four generations and 104 years later, the McGeorge family is continuing Percy’s legacy of leadership in aggregates and marine construction.
The Pine Bluff Sand and Gravel way: “We build relationships that stand the test of time. We invest in our business, and in our people. Most importantly, we continue to build a reputation for unsurpassed excellence that our clients know and trust.”
“Pine Bluff Sand & Gravel is an outstanding corporate citizen in the U.S. Maritime community. Scott McGeorge is a great American, who has served our country with distinction. The McGeorge family has provided employment and family supporting wages and benefits for generations of folks. This company takes safety and customer service to an unprecedented level,” said William P. Doyle, CEO & Executive Director of the Dredging Contractors of America.
To see the article from the Waterways Journal Weekly,view:
