I have been covering the aggregates industry for the better part of the past 25 years, and over the lion’s share of that time period, there has always been one thing you could totally count on: Frank Cargould.
Frank Cargould in my mind IS the aggregates industry: Tough, dependable, knowledgeable, dedicated, did I say tough?
The aggregates industry is going to have a gaping hole in it, now that Frank has retired after more than 30 years of service with Kent Air Tools, Teledyne, and its successor company, Breaker Technology Inc., part of the Astec Group.
The first time I met Frank, I was scared. My colleague Sean Carr had described his first meeting with him, a meeting at which Frank had excoriated him, not for anything Sean had done, but rather something Sean’s predecessor in that position had done. After Frank let him have it, Sean won him over. I knew I had to win him over too.
I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Frank and I were both alumnus of Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. It was all downhill from there. As Ohio University alumnus, we automatically had that Bobcat bond of brotherhood going for us. Also, we had important experiences in common, most notably, many a night spent carousing on Court St.
Many people don’t know it, but at Ohio University Frank excelled on the wrestling team, a skill that would help him immensely in later years as he grappled with giant secondary breaking hammers.
In addition to being the consummate industry professional, an executive that led by action and someone who fought to the death to win a tennis match, racquetball game or round of golf, Frank lent his considerable talents to helping the National Stone Association and its present incarnation, the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association. As a long-time representative to the M&S Committee, Frank could always be counted on to pitch in and help on whatever project was most pressing, offer wise counsel, or if it was warranted tell you the idea wasn’t worth pursuing.
Frank Cargould has always been brutally, refreshingly, honest.
So in retirement, Frank will spend a lot less time in his car driving to Canada, and a lot more time on his 100+ acre spread in Southern Ohio hiding in trees with his crossbow. His lovely wife Lanie will be there with him, and will keep him honest.
I am going to miss seeing Frank at trade shows and other industry events, but I know he isn’t far away. My daughter goes to Ohio University now, so I will be in the area often. I look forward to enjoying a cold one with him on his porch very soon.