John N. Matich (1975)
The Matich Corporation endures today, in part due to the hard work of “Jack” Matich, who – along with his brother, Martin, took the wheel of what was then the Matich Brothers Paving Company back in 1950. It was a company built by his father, John and John’s cousin, Nikolas – Yugoslavian immigrants who came to America to build a new life. Their work is a part of the American fabric, literally, as Matich Corporation was a part of the paving of historic Route 66, among many other important projects. Matich led the industry in developing new techniques still employed today and was instrumental in helping create both the American Concrete Pavement Association and the Asphalt Pavement Association.
John Nicholas Matich spent the better part of his 59 years in construction. Mechanically inclined, he took an early interest in the family business spending his free time at his father’s side on jobs learning the business from the ground up. As the eldest son he served his country in WWII in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1879th Aviation Engineer Battalion. Upon his return he rejoined the family business and became a co-owner, of the company that is still known today as The Matich Corporation.
John, or Jack as most people knew him, served AGC on its Board of Directors starting in1963. In1964 he was asked to go to Alaska, immediately following the earthquake, with a small team of construction experts to survey the infrastructure damage and make recommendations for rebuilding. He served on numerous national AGC committees including labor, transportation policy, finance, public relations, ethics and trade practices. While serving as Chairman of the Emergency Planning Committee, Jack was instrumental in putting at least one “Plan Bulldozer” into every state in the Union. He was named Chairman of the year in 1969 and on behalf of the national AGC, presented a national disaster plan to the President of the United States.
In addition to serving AGC, Jack served as president of the American Concrete Paving Association, was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers,
a member of the Consulting Constructors’ Council of America, and a member of the American Institute of Constructors.