This article was published by the Quad Cities Business Journal and written by Dave Thompson.
Mike Bush says these are “exciting times” for the Davenport-based McCarthy-Bush Corp.
That excitement is focused on growing business opportunities, new projects, a lot of optimism for the future and new leadership for the business.
Earlier this month, Greg Bush retired after a distinguished career spanning more than four decades. He served as CEO since 2003, guiding McCarthy-Bush through a period of significant growth and evolution while maintaining its foundation as a family-owned business rooted in long-term relationships, operational excellence, and strong values.
His son, Mike Bush, took over as CEO of McCarthy-Bush Corp., the company announced.
McCarthy-Bush, through its subsidiaries, operates in the construction, mining, real estate development, steel fabrication sectors and more. The corporation includes McCarthy Improvement, Bush Construction, Clinton Engineering, Linwood Mining & Minerals Corp., Oertel Metal Works, and Blackheart Slag.
“Being part of a family business like McCarthy-Bush is something I’ve never taken for granted. Each generation has a responsibility to build on what came before it. I’m proud of what we’ve built and the people behind it,” said Greg Bush, who followed his father Jack Bush in the company’s leadership. “I’ve had the opportunity to watch the next generation of leaders grow and take on more responsibility. They’re ready for what’s ahead, and I’m confident in the future of this company.”
Mike Bush, who previously was president of Linwood, has been busy getting adjusted to his new role. He said he’s heard from employees and they’re encouraged to see the next generation stepping in as it reinforces the long-term commitment to the business and its future.
“With this transition we’re looking at everything and how we can make things better,” he added.
But a new CEO isn’t the only family connection at McCarthy-Bush. Other next generation members of the family also are part of the company. All started working outside the business and then decided to join it after gaining other experience. Those family members include:
• Ben Bush is sales and business development director for Oertel. He is the son of Tom Bush, Greg Bush’s brother. Ben Bush has been with the company for about eight years, and works on the manufacturing side of the business. He also works on community outreach and philanthropy. He said one of the big challenges facing Oertel was the price increases spurred by the recent tariffs. However, those issues seem to be “leveling out.” He added that one of the big jobs is keeping good customer relations in place during the good times and bad. “Every project is a new challenge, but a big part of our job is maintaining strong relationships with customers through both good and uncertain market conditions,” he said.
• Maureen (Bush) Roe is project contracting and risk manager for McCarthy Improvement. She is the daughter of Joe Bush, Greg Bush’s brother. Joe Bush is retired but still sits on the company’s board as an owner and serves in a consultative capacity. Ms. Roe has been connected to the business since 2010, including time working in other markets, before returning to the Quad Cities office about three years ago. She also works on community outreach and philanthropy. “Every day is different; there’s always a new challenge to work through, and that’s something I really enjoy,” she said.
• John Bush is construction controller with McCarthy-Bush. He is Ms. Roe’s brother and the son of Joe Bush. He joined the company last summer. He recently moved back to the area with his wife and son from Atlanta, where he was for more than a decade. “I always knew I would come back here,” he said.
The four members of the Bush family recently met with the QCBJ to talk about the changing times at McCarthy-Bush, upcoming challenges, future projects and the importance of keeping the business within the family.
The local corporation is a rarity; it is a fifth-generation family-owned company with a history spanning more than 125 years. A family company making it to the fifth generation is a significant achievement, as it rarely happens. About 40% of U.S. family-owned companies are passed on to a second generation. About 13% make it to the third generation and only about 3% of companies make it to a fourth generation of family members, according to statistics from Businessweek.com.
The company’s five generations of CEOs began with founder Patrick McCarthy, followed by Joseph McCarthy, Jack Bush, Greg Bush and now Mike Bush.
CEO Mike Bush said that the family connections at McCarthy-Bush go far beyond the four members of the Bush family currently on the job. Many of the employees have had other members of their own families work for the company. He heard about one of those family connections during a recent celebration at Linwood when an employee told him that he is the third generation in his family to be with the company.
“The man said to me ‘Every meal I ever had has come out of this place,’” he added.
Mike Bush said he’s especially proud to see those family connections in all of the McCarthy-Bush companies.
“We are a family focused business. … We have people here who like the way we do business,” Mike Bush added.
Optimistic about the future of McCarthy-Bush
And business has been good for McCarthy-Bush. The new CEO said he is very optimistic about the future with many projects in the works and in the planning stages. “We’re at the optimistic end of the year. … We’re lined up to have a strong year.”
One of the largest projects spurring that optimism will be at Linwood. That company is building a new facility in order to supply high calcium limestone for use in the manufacturing of roofing shingles. Those shingles will be made by Atlas Roofing Corp. — a client of Linwood — at its new shingle plant currently under construction in Clinton, Iowa. (That $224 million plant is expected to be completed in 2026 and will become a major employer.)
“Linwood’s presence in the Quad Cities was a key factor in initially attracting and eventually bringing Atlas to the region,” the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce said in a recent news release.
Mike Bush would not discuss the financial details on the Linwood project — connected to the Atlas line of business — but did say the new facility would be one of the largest in McCarthy-Bush company history.