How Sunland Asphalt & Construction attributes its success to an employee-centric culture
After experiencing phenomenal growth since its inception in 1979, Sunland Asphalt & Construction, LLC (Sunland) attributes its success to the following five core values and its strong advocacy for employee well-being. The nationally recognized general contractor has flourished, growing from a specialized asphalt maintenance company into a full-service provider of infrastructure and public works improvements across America. The organization, founded by Doug DeClusin, offers a range of construction and maintenance services, including concrete and asphalt repair, underground utilities installation and maintenance, pavement surface treatments, and milling and paving overlays.
These capabilities are tailored to meet the needs of both public and private sector clients, which has clearly paved the way for Sunland’s success. In January 2021, it was acquired by Huron Capital, a Detroit-based lower middle-market private equity firm.
Matt Johnson, CEO of Sunland, explains: “Huron has been an exceptional partner, playing a key role in helping to professionalize our organization and support our continued growth. We employ more than 1100 team members, including a strong base in Arizona. Our growth has been guided by a steadfast commitment to our core values: Customer Focus, Ownership, Relationships, Ethics, and Safety. These values shape every aspect of our operations and define our approach to delivering reliable, high-quality results.
“We specialize in controlling our own destiny and self-performing most of our work, approximately 80 percent, which allows us to maintain tight control over safety, cost, quality, and scheduling. Sunland serves a diverse range of sectors, including municipal and state agencies, commercial developers, industrial clients, and transportation authorities. Whether it’s a local road or parking lot improvement, or a large-scale infrastructure project, our team is equipped to deliver durable solutions with a focus on communication, quality, and long-term client relationships.”
Strategic acquisitions
It’s this strong work ethic and expertise that led to even further development for Sunland in March 2021, when it acquired ACE Asphalt of Arizona, simultaneously with its new partnership with Huron. Matt described this as a ‘strategic move’ that significantly expanded Sunland’s market presence.
“Both companies were leading providers of asphalt pavement maintenance services across Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, and New Mexico, often competing head-to-head and serving many of the same clients,” he elaborates. “By uniting two of the largest players in these regions, Sunland effectively doubled its market share in each state. The acquisition also enhanced our operational capacity, giving us access to a broader pool of skilled personnel and equipment, and enabling us to better serve our customers with increased efficiency and responsiveness.”
Naturally, this opened further opportunities for collaboration, and subsequent acquisitions in 2024 included Georgia Paving and Metro Pavers Inc. (MPI). Matt outlines how crucial these acquisitions are for Sunland’s long-term growth strategy, which centers on expanding its national footprint and building brand recognition across not only the Sunbelt region but the entire United States.
“The acquisition of Georgia Paving in 2025 marked a key milestone in this journey, allowing us to establish a strong presence in the Southeast. It brought nearly three decades of industry experience, a dedicated team, and a reputation for outstanding customer service, all of which align seamlessly with Sunland’s values and operational standards.
“Similarly, the acquisition of MPI further solidified our position in the Denver market. With over 50 years of experience, MPI introduced a robust portfolio of municipal and agency clients, complementing Sunland’s existing focus on the private sector.”
Delivering excellence
When asked about the organization’s approach to merging newly acquired businesses, Matt explains that Sunland always aims for smooth integration through clear communication and a focused approach during the first 90 days of acquisition.
“Speed matters, especially when it comes to systems integration. By quickly aligning platforms like Vista, B2W, and Salesforce, we gain immediate visibility into operations and can begin harmonizing processes.
“While integration is never easy, our dedicated team brings discipline, agility, and a deep understanding of what it takes to make transitions smooth. Through hard work and a shared commitment to excellence, we ensure that newly acquired businesses become fully aligned with Sunland’s standards and culture, without losing what made them successful in the first place.”
The standards and culture Matt refers to loop back to Sunland’s commitment to community and employee wellbeing, and the importance of its core values – one of which is safety.
He explains: “Safety is the foundation of Sunland’s culture, and culture has always been the key to Sunland’s success. From day one, we emphasize that every team member’s well-being is paramount, and our goal is simple: everyone goes home in the same condition that they arrived in.”
Matt also expresses Sunland’s pride in having an industry-leading Experience Modification Rate (EMR) of 0.46, a safety record that reflects its unwavering commitment to well-being.
And Sunland has even brighter plans for the future. “Looking ahead to 2026, we are focused on continued growth, both organically through expanded services and inorganically through strategic acquisitions,” Matt divulges.
“We plan to broaden our national footprint by entering new markets while deepening our presence in existing regions. With a clear vision and strong momentum, we’re excited about the opportunities ahead and remain committed to delivering excellence across every project and partnership.”
One of its most noteworthy recent projects is the Phase 2 expansion of APEX Motor Club, located just west of Maricopa, Arizona. Completed between August 2024 and March 2025, this ambitious development transformed raw farmland into a 2.43-mile motorsports track designed for high-performance driving.
Championing company culture
The strategic partnership with Solterra Materials, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sunland that produces hot mix asphalt, played a key role in delivering this high-caliber project. The result is a world-class racetrack that not only meets but exceeds industry benchmarks for smoothness, durability, and performance.
Discussing the project, Matt says: “The APEX Motor Club Phase 2 project exemplifies Sunland’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and engineering excellence. It’s a testament to our ability to deliver complex infrastructure with precision and passion.”
It is safe to say that Sunland will not compromise its culture and values as it continues to expand. With the exceptional goal of doubling in size over the next five years, Matt explains that the company is striving to reach markets outside the Southwest and become the leading asphalt pavement maintenance contractor across the United States.
However, he adds emphatically: “As we continue to grow and scale, preserving and nurturing our culture becomes even more essential. It’s not static – it requires daily attention, thoughtful evolution, and a commitment to honoring the values that built Sunland while embracing the changes that will shape our future. Culture isn’t just what we say, it’s how we operate, how we lead, and how we care for our people.”