Interview with Jim Golding, president and CEO, Geneva Rock Products
This article is part of a series featuring business executives who choose to live and work in Utah. If you know of an executive we should interview, please contact us.
Jim Golding grew up with an affinity for the earth sciences-especially geology. It was just a matter of time before he decided to enroll at Brigham Young University and earn a degree in civil engineering, with a two-year break to serve an ecclesiastical mission in Argentina.
After graduation, finding a job was difficult amid the recession of 1980. But, Golding found a job in the oil fields of Evanston, Wyoming as a design engineer and surveyor. He later worked as the assistant city engineer. In these roles, he received valuable training and mentorship and gained hands-on experience designing, surveying, inspecting and constructing roadways as well as residential and commercial subdivisions.
The turning point in Golding’s career came in 1984 when he accepted the position of estimator and project coordinator at Geneva Rock Products. Since then, he has served in various roles at the company before accepting his current role as president and CEO.
What recent professional accomplishments are you most proud of?
We started two new business units in the middle of the recession that enabled our team to generate revenue at a difficult time. I am pleased to report these business units continue to be profitable for us in Utah and surrounding states.
In 2017, we were recognized by Utah Business magazine with a Green Business award for our clean air and recycling initiatives. We also built a natural gas filling station and purchased 25 natural gas low-emission concrete mixer trucks.
What drew you to Utah?
Initially, I attended BYU. Since then, my family and I are always amazed by the state’s natural beauty and recreational opportunities. For the last 28 years, Snowbasin has been my “home” ski resort. I also enjoy backpacking in the Uintah’s.
What do you like most about living in Utah?
I enjoy the distinct changes in the four seasons. Just when you are tired of one season, you are on to the next.
What do you like most about doing business in Utah?
The pro-business and economic development culture in Utah is very impressive. State leaders are extremely collaborative, and the can-do attitude found throughout the state is infectious.
What is your primary challenge of doing business in Utah?
Filling skilled craft-people positions such as heavy equipment operators, diesel mechanics and truck drivers. Providing construction materials from our gravel pits to the community is becoming more of a challenge.
What is your business philosophy?
Team is everything. Don’t take too much credit for the accomplishments of the team. Everyone is important, and they need to know it.
Be approachable and listen. You will be surprised what you can learn from others when you take time to slow down and really listen.
Tell me a fun fact about yourself.
I sailed with friends on a 40-foot sailboat from Los Angeles to Hawaii when I was 21-years-old. We did not have GPS, and we navigated the old fashioned way with celestial navigation.
as its president and CEO.
Connect with him on LinkedIn.