This week on the Everybody Leads podcast, Tim Lupinacci interviews Denson (D.) Franklin III, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary of Vulcan Materials Company. Vulcan is the nation’s largest producer of construction aggregate, primarily crushed stone, sand, and gravel, and aggregates-based construction materials, including asphalt and ready-mixed concrete. The guiding principles of Vulcan include integrity, excellence, and people.

Before joining Vulcan, D. was a partner at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, where he served as Vulcan's primary outside counsel for more than 20 years and advised other companies in the construction materials, building, and engineering industries. He has been recognized in Chambers USA in the area of corporate and commercial law and is listed in The Best Lawyers in America. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Birmingham-Southern College and received his law degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law. He is the former Chair of the Birmingham-Southern College Board of Trustees, a member of the Birmingham Rotary Club, and Chair of Gateway, a nonprofit organization that provides family and financial counseling.

D. shares his leadership journey and key takeaways from Vulcan’s Leadership Program, which focuses on leading oneself, leading others, and leading leaders. He reflects on the impact of mentorship and observing various leadership styles, the leadership lessons he has learned from historical biographies, and the importance of leading with empathy and giving oneself grace. He also shares his philosophy of surrounding himself with individuals with “Big Brains, a Good Heart, and Good Work Ethic.”