Diamond Elite trophy comes back to Texas

Medina Rock & Rail wins company's most prestigious award

Growing up across from a San Antonio rock quarry, Joe Sustaita would watch as massive haul trucks rumbled past his window. As a child, he had but one thought: “One day, I’m going to drive one of those.”

Now, as he prepares for retirement after more than four decades of service with Martin Marietta, Sustaita is finally part of a Diamond Elite team. The long-time Medina Rock & Rail senior operator says he has not only fulfilled his childhood dreams, he has exceeded them.

“When I heard we won this year’s Diamond Elite trophy, I thought, ‘Wow, I’m leaving at the top of my game,’” Sustaita says.
“It feels amazing to see that trophy and know we did something great. The pride I feel is not just for myself, but for the whole team.”

Located in Hondo, Texas, Medina Rock & Rail is a sprawling limestone quarry covering approximately 4,600 acres. It’s one of the Southwest Division’s most advanced and strategically important sites.

A dedicated rail spur links the quarry to the existing line at Highway 90. With 57,300 track feet, or nearly 11 miles, it stands as one of the largest privately funded stretches of rail in both Martin Marietta and the United States.

“The rail system is a huge asset to our team, our productivity and our values,” says Superintendent Andy Vidaure.
“We’re in the middle of nowhere, but we serve a huge area from Houston to Corpus Christi. The rail system helps us deliver materials faster, more efficiently and with less fuel consumption. It’s good for our site, our customers and the environment.”

To maintain precision and proficiency on the rails, the site uses a Kanawha Rail Loadout System designed for high-capacity, safe and accurate railcar loading. Featuring more than 45 product blends, the blend system uses a batch weigh bin to ensure accurate specifications and consistent loading of every railcar. The result is an enhanced customer experience that reinforces Martin Marietta’s reputation for quality.

Such innovations are just part of what makes Medina Rock & Rail stand out. Constructed in 2016, the site remains one of Martin Marietta’s largest capital projects and marked a milestone in the company’s expansion efforts. Nearly a decade later, the site and its team continue to play a vital role in the region.

Leading the team of about 50 people is Plant Manager Patton Gilliam, who affectionately calls the site “the mothership.”

“Medina’s size is both my favorite and least favorite part of working here,” he says with a laugh.
“Every site faces challenges, but when something comes up here, it really makes us think. Solving those problems is rewarding. There’s nothing like seeing this team work hard and have the conveyors run full with material coming off the stackers. It’s incredible.”

As with any Diamond Elite site, safety is the foundation of success. At the end of 2024, the Medina team achieved five years, or more than 950,000 operating hours, without a lost-time or reportable incident.

“Our Guardian Angel safety culture is top notch,” says Lead Safety Facilitator Cody Boettcher.
“No matter who you are, from the newest hire to a 20-year veteran, you’re empowered to stop the job and speak up about any safety concern.”

At Medina, the team emphasizes proactive safety engagement and encourages each member to take ownership of their well-being and that of their coworkers. It’s a culture built on trust, accountability and continuous improvement.

“When you see how we’ve grown over the past five years, it’s impressive,” says Superintendent Zane Carroll.
“We’re always looking for ways to improve, work more safely and make sure we all go home to our loved ones.”

For Production Supervisor Moses Maravilla, the safety culture is personal. Three of his sons have worked at Martin Marietta, including Control Person Tyson Maravilla, his colleague at Medina Rock & Rail.

“Working with my son is great because I know everyone is committed to safety. He’s watching out for them, and they’re watching out for him,” Moses Maravilla says.
“When we won Diamond Elite, we were excited. I called my wife. He told his friends. And we said to our family, ‘We’re part of something great, something you have to work hard to achieve.’”