Taking care of business

Southwest cement terminal supervisor works tirelessly to make operations the best they can be

Cement Terminal Supervisor Brooke Barron has witnessed the Celina Cement Terminal’s entire journey from its groundbreaking to its current position as a safe, efficient and award-winning Southwest Division standout.

Now, celebrating five years with Martin Marietta, Barron reflects on her first visit to the site, where she arrived with only welding and fabrication experience, and a hope of being part of something greater.

“When I heard about a new site being built, I wanted to be a part of it. I wanted a challenge, I wanted to be in an industry I found interesting, and really, I wanted to grow,” Barron says. “I started as a control operator while the terminal was being built. I have been here since the start, and this long-running knowledge has helped me see and improve our functions.”

Now the terminal’s supervisor, she says it’s pure grit and passion that help her embody the power of ONE at Martin Marietta.

Traveling between Celina, the Midlothian Cement Plant and the Odessa Cement Terminal about a 6.5-hour drive to the west, Barron says she is constantly impressed by the knowledge of her teammates.

“I am amazed by Martin Marietta’s folks every day,” she says. “I know there’s always going to be someone I can call for support. If I hit any roadblocks, I know there’s someone who can help.”

And though she may be too humble to admit it, Barron often plays that helper role for her colleagues.

“Her work ethic is something rare and difficult to find,” says Transportation and Logistics Manager Jessica LeBlanc. “Her respect and honor for our Guardian Angel safety culture is unsurpassed.”

Agreeing with LeBlanc’s sentiment, Operations Services Manager Shane Mullenix says Barron is essential to the enterprise.

“Brooke takes great pride in being a part of the Martin Marietta team,” he says. “She has the right commitment to the company’s safety culture and communicates the message of the Guardian Angel Creed to any and all visitors. There is no doubt about it, Brooke is passionate about her job, and her desire to continually learn and grow is evident.”

Perhaps one of the most impressive aspects of Barron’s leadership is her dedication to cleanliness.

Though just two people are stationed at Celina (she works alongside Cement Terminal Operator Matthew Sheppard), the site has caught the eye of the Texas Aggregates & Concrete Association (TACA); the Celina team has been awarded the title of Best Plant in the cement category of TACA’s Public Appearance Contest three times within the site’s five years of operation.

Barron is quite proud of the achievement.

“My favorite part of this role is working with our customers each day and showing them how organized we are and how clean and productive we operate,” she says. “Like me, some of our customers have been coming here since Celina was brand new, so they also know how clean this place can and should be. When they’re impressed, I know I’m doing something right.”