Jim Nickolas named NSSGA chair

Martin Marietta’s executive vice president and CFO begins 1-year term as leader of industry advocacy group

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Jim Nickolas was recently elected as the 2024 chair of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA).

NSSGA’s primary goal is to increase public policies that protect and expand the safe, environmentally responsible use of aggregates, an essential element of the United States’ prosperity.

As chair, Nickolas is leading the charge to ensure aggregates-led businesses have a voice and stake in the legislative decisions made in Washington, D.C.

“It’s an exciting time to be in aggregates,” he said during a ceremony at NSSGA’s 2024 Annual Convention. “The stone, sand and gravel industry is the foundation for so many products we use every day. The nation’s infrastructure, including roads, dams and pipelines, depends on the materials we provide.”

Drawing inspiration from Martin Marietta’s ONE team mentality, Nickolas spoke about the importance of working together to continue the success NSSGA and the aggregates industry have experienced in recent years.

Acknowledging that the country’s political environment is often divided, Nickolas said he would strive, as NSSGA’s leader, to promote the view that infrastructure investment is a nonpartisan issue that affects every American. He further said he would work to unite all material providers around NSSGA’s critical actions.

“My goal is to work across the industry until 100% of producers are active members of NSSGA. No matter our size, we face many of the same challenges. We must seek solutions as one,” he said. “Among our many shared tasks is to make our value clear. The most effective way to do this is to share our recent successes while emphasizing that we are stronger together.”

Nickolas’ leadership experience spans over 25 years and includes roles with Caterpillar Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. before he joined Martin Marietta in 2017.

“Jim is someone who understands our industry,” said Chairman and CEO Ward Nye. “He is someone who understands our people and our culture. He is uniquely positioned from experience and from the way he approaches life to fill this role.”