US Aggregates® Rockstar: Josh Kuszmaul

Josh Kuszmaul has been with US Aggregates® for almost a year as a Leadman at our Thorntown location. He began his career in the construction industry right after high school, starting as a laborer at Fairfield Contractors in Lafayette, IN. Over time, he advanced to the role of heavy equipment operator, handling tasks ranging from backfilling driveways with a skid steer to excavating 27-foot trenches for water and sanitary pipes. He then spent seven years at Martin Marietta as an underground miner on the night shift, eventually becoming a Plant Foreman before joining the US Aggregates Thorntown team as Leadman.

Josh’s daily routine involves coordinating with Plant Manager Brian Morrison to plan the day, checking in with contractors to confirm they are properly trained and signed in and overseeing operations at the plant and pit to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Thorntown Plant Manager Brian Morrison admires Josh’s self-motivated and personable nature. “He has been a great asset to the US Aggregates and Thorntown team,” Brian notes. “Since Josh has been here, we are more consistent with maintenance and organization throughout the site. I’m confident that things are being taken care of when Josh leads.”

During his time at US Aggregates, Josh had the opportunity to be a significant part of the Emergency Action Drill (EAD) at the beginning of the year. Having participated in similar drills with his previous employer, he appreciated how everyone was involved and genuinely cared about the process. He was impressed by the team’s coordination, with each member knowing their role, whether it was stopping their tasks, blocking traffic, or communicating over the radio.

Teamwork is a core value for Josh, and he has found that the team at Thorntown exemplifies this. The crew consistently works together to achieve goals and solve problems, demonstrating a strong sense of camaraderie and mutual support.

One of the most impactful projects Josh has been involved in is pulling the dredge from the lake. This was a new experience for him, but he was eager to learn. With guidance from Brian Morrison, he gained valuable insights into the operation and maintenance of the dredge. They are currently in the process of moving it to another lake on the property, and he has also been involved in replacing parts and collaborating with contractors to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Josh advises that new leadmen “learn the site and operations as quickly as possible because that is key to performing well in the role.” He acknowledges that the role can be stressful at times, but he finds great satisfaction in his position. He is grateful for the support and assistance from his teammates at Thorntown, which has been instrumental in his successful transition to this new career path with US Aggregates.

Outside of work, Josh enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids. They love exploring new activities, dining out and being outdoors. Riding dirt bikes, traveling and visiting the beach are some of their favorite activities as well. Thank you, Josh, for your dedication, hard work and impactful contributions at US Aggregates!