The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) awarded Charlie Luck, president and CEO of Luck Companies, with two of the association’s most prestigious honors: The 2023 Barry K. Wendt Memorial Commitment Award and the ROCKPAC Paul Mellott Jr. Award for Political Excellence. The awards were presented at NSSGA’s annual convention held in Las Vegas from March 12-15.
As the aggregates industry’s highest, most distinguished individual award, the Barry K. Wendt Memorial Commitment Award recognizes an individual who exhibits the selfless dedication to family, community and the aggregates industry that was exemplified by the award’s namesake.
For many years, Barry Wendt devoted his energy to advance the industry’s initiatives. The NSSGA established an annual commitment award as a lasting memorial and tribute to Wendt’s dedication. Charles S. Luck III, Charlie Luck’s father, received the Barry K. Wendt Memorial Commitment Award in 2004.
Charlie Luck’s commitment to carry on and expand the legacy of his father’s and grandfather’s commitment to take care of people – the associates, the customers, the business partners and the citizens of the communities in which Luck Companies operates – was cited as a reason for his nomination for the Wendt Award.
Charlie Luck also is responsible for establishing the company’s people-focused mission to ignite human potential through Values Based Leadership and positively impact the lives of others around the world. Under his leadership, the company has deepened its footprint in the Southeastern United States with strategic growth throughout Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.
Among many other highlights of his time as CEO, Luck Companies achieved its best safety record in the organization’s history and has been nationally recognized for employee engagement. Luck is also the Founder of InnerWill Leadership Institute, a globally recognized non-profit dedicated to building better people, braver leaders and a wiser world through the transformation of organizations and individuals outside of Luck Companies.
An active member of NSSGA for his entire career, Charlie Luck has served the association as a board member and as chairman in 2015. His support of the NSSGA has included encouraging and empowering the associates of Luck Companies to become engaged with NSSGA in ways that align with their values as well as educating legislators and policymakers about the industry’s contributions to the economy.
“Throughout the industry, Charlie Luck is widely known for encouraging the advancement and bettering the aggregates industry,” said NSSGA President and CEO Michael Johnson. “His industry expertise and drive to help individuals succeed showcases he is an outstanding representation of the Barry K. Wendt Memorial Commitment Award.”
The Paul Mellott Jr. Award for Political Excellence is given annually by NSSGA to an industry leader who works tirelessly on behalf of the aggregates industry to promote ROCKPAC and the importance of political advocacy. The award is named for Paul Mellott Jr., who chaired ROCKPAC from 1998-2018. Mellott believes in the power of political participation, and his determination and willingness to personally solicit funds every year helped ROCKPAC to be one of the top trade association political action committees in Washington, D.C.
Charlie Luck’s father, Charles S. Luck III, was the first supporter of ROCKPAC when it was founded more than four decades ago.
“NSSGA’s political action committee is a key tool that helps build relationships, and its success depends on our member engagement. Charlie Luck embodies the true qualities of the Paul Mellott Jr. Award for Political Excellence, as he has always been an advocacy leader for the aggregates industry and a staunch driver of ROCKPAC,” said NSSGA’s Johnson. “We greatly appreciate Charlie Luck and the Luck Companies’ long-time support and help with the industry’s initiatives in Washington.”
“I am honored and humbled by both of these awards from NSSGA,” said Charlie Luck. “Barry Wendt and Paul Mellott set a high standard of excellence that continues to inspire others in the aggregates industry. NSSGA provides so many opportunities to get involved in areas that align with a member’s passions and skillsets. As our associates continue to get involved and deepen their commitment to our industry, we are proud to support such a fantastic organization that has meant so much to me, my family and the incredibly talented people who make up Luck Companies.”