Monday, September 21, 2026

North Carolina · Triangle desk

All stories

The full public wire. Each story names the employee who used a matching company-domain email to stand behind that version. That records the source; it is not an independent fact-check.

Tyler Marks tells the Marks Clearing & Grading founding story on BuildWitt's Dirt TalkTyler Marks tells the Marks Clearing & Grading founding story on BuildWitt's Dirt Talk. Image origin: Unknown origin. Heuristic EXIF/XMP label, not C2PA.

Tyler Marks tells the Marks Clearing & Grading founding story on BuildWitt's Dirt Talk

The founder started the company at 18 with a skid steer and a Craigslist ad.

Client confirmed
Gregg Marks wins a 2026 Triangle Business Journal Corporate Leadership AwardGregg Marks wins a 2026 Triangle Business Journal Corporate Leadership Award. Image origin: Unknown origin. Heuristic EXIF/XMP label, not C2PA.

Gregg Marks wins a 2026 Triangle Business Journal Corporate Leadership Award

The Marks Clearing & Grading executive chairman was recognized weeks after taking on a new role.

Client confirmed
Luis Sarria leads safety across Marks Clearing & Grading jobsitesLuis Sarria leads safety across Marks Clearing & Grading jobsites. Image origin: Unknown origin. Heuristic EXIF/XMP label, not C2PA.

Luis Sarria leads safety across Marks Clearing & Grading jobsites

The company's director of safety started his career in the field.

Client confirmed
Marks Clearing & Grading continues sitework at Meritage Homes' Avalon in DurhamMarks Clearing & Grading continues sitework at Meritage Homes' Avalon in Durham. Image origin: Unknown origin. Heuristic EXIF/XMP label, not C2PA.

Marks Clearing & Grading continues sitework at Meritage Homes' Avalon in Durham

Crews are clearing and building roads in new phases while families live in finished homes nearby.

Client confirmed
Marks Clearing & Grading moves to curb and asphalt at KB Home's Magnolia ForestMarks Clearing & Grading moves to curb and asphalt at KB Home's Magnolia Forest. Image origin: Unknown origin. Heuristic EXIF/XMP label, not C2PA.

Marks Clearing & Grading moves to curb and asphalt at KB Home's Magnolia Forest

The 154-lot community near Raleigh includes more than 26,000 linear feet of utilities.

Client confirmed
Marks Clearing & Grading employees volunteer with the Durham Rescue MissionMarks Clearing & Grading employees volunteer with the Durham Rescue Mission. Image origin: Unknown origin. Heuristic EXIF/XMP label, not C2PA.

Marks Clearing & Grading employees volunteer with the Durham Rescue Mission

The team helped prepare for the mission's Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway.

Client confirmed
Marks Clearing & Grading on looking after crews through a North Carolina summerMarks Clearing & Grading on looking after crews through a North Carolina summer. Image origin: Unknown origin. Heuristic EXIF/XMP label, not C2PA.

Marks Clearing & Grading on looking after crews through a North Carolina summer

Jobsite breaks in the heat and a night out for the shop and fleet team.

Client confirmed
Marks Clearing & Grading names Tim Clay chief executive officerMarks Clearing & Grading names Tim Clay chief executive officer. Image origin: Unknown origin. Heuristic EXIF/XMP label, not C2PA.

Marks Clearing & Grading names Tim Clay chief executive officer

Clay comes from a career building teams and delivering heavy civil projects in Florida and the Southeast.

Client confirmed
Gregg Marks becomes executive chairman and chief growth officer of Marks Clearing & GradingGregg Marks becomes executive chairman and chief growth officer of Marks Clearing & Grading. Image origin: Unknown origin. Heuristic EXIF/XMP label, not C2PA.

Gregg Marks becomes executive chairman and chief growth officer of Marks Clearing & Grading

The former CEO will focus on growth, culture, strategy and acquisitions.

Client confirmed
Marks Clearing & Grading moves about 700,000 cubic yards of earth at Merritt Reserve in RolesvilleMarks Clearing & Grading moves about 700,000 cubic yards of earth at Merritt Reserve in Rolesville. Image origin: Unknown origin. Heuristic EXIF/XMP label, not C2PA.

Marks Clearing & Grading moves about 700,000 cubic yards of earth at Merritt Reserve in Rolesville

Clearing, grading and utility crews are working different phases of the residential development at the same time.

Client confirmed
Marks Clearing & Grading names Justin Smith vice president of asset managementMarks Clearing & Grading names Justin Smith vice president of asset management. Image origin: Unknown origin. Heuristic EXIF/XMP label, not C2PA.

Marks Clearing & Grading names Justin Smith vice president of asset management

Smith will run the fleet and shop as the company adds equipment and active jobsites.

Client confirmed
Marks Clearing & Grading hires Morgan Beam as vice president of business developmentMarks Clearing & Grading hires Morgan Beam as vice president of business development. Image origin: Unknown origin. Heuristic EXIF/XMP label, not C2PA.

Marks Clearing & Grading hires Morgan Beam as vice president of business development

Beam will lead client relationships and new work across North Carolina.

Client confirmed
Marks Clearing & Grading marks Tyler Marks' 40 Under 40 recognitionMarks Clearing & Grading marks Tyler Marks' 40 Under 40 recognition. Image origin: Unknown origin. Heuristic EXIF/XMP label, not C2PA.

Marks Clearing & Grading marks Tyler Marks' 40 Under 40 recognition

The company's founder and president was honored among the Triangle's most promising young executives.

Client confirmed
Marks Clearing & Grading hires Justin Fanning to lead commercial estimatingMarks Clearing & Grading hires Justin Fanning to lead commercial estimating. Image origin: Unknown origin. Heuristic EXIF/XMP label, not C2PA.

Marks Clearing & Grading hires Justin Fanning to lead commercial estimating

Fanning moved from the Washington, D.C., area to help grow the company's commercial division.

Client confirmed
Tyler Marks named to Triangle Business Journal's 2026 40 Under 40Tyler Marks named to Triangle Business Journal's 2026 40 Under 40. Image origin: Unknown origin. Heuristic EXIF/XMP label, not C2PA.

Tyler Marks named to Triangle Business Journal's 2026 40 Under 40

The Marks Clearing & Grading founder started the company in 2018; it now employs more than 215 people.

Client confirmed
Marks Clearing & Grading hires John Dodd as vice president of commercial operationsMarks Clearing & Grading hires John Dodd as vice president of commercial operations. Image origin: Unknown origin. Heuristic EXIF/XMP label, not C2PA.

Marks Clearing & Grading hires John Dodd as vice president of commercial operations

Dodd brings more than 30 years in civil construction and has led over $500 million in projects.

Client confirmed
Marks Clearing & Grading is site contractor for Prolec Energy's $140 million Wayne County plantMarks Clearing & Grading is site contractor for Prolec Energy's $140 million Wayne County plant. Image origin: Unknown origin. Heuristic EXIF/XMP label, not C2PA.

Marks Clearing & Grading is site contractor for Prolec Energy's $140 million Wayne County plant

The transformer factory is expected to bring 330 jobs to the county once it is complete.

Client confirmed
Marks Clearing & Grading equipment team scouts new machines at CONEXPO-CON/AGGMarks Clearing & Grading equipment team scouts new machines at CONEXPO-CON/AGG. Image origin: Unknown origin. Heuristic EXIF/XMP label, not C2PA.

Marks Clearing & Grading equipment team scouts new machines at CONEXPO-CON/AGG

Tyler Marks, Justin Smith and Benjamin Blessington walked one of construction's largest trade shows.

Client confirmed
Triangle Business Journal profiles Marks Clearing & Grading founder Tyler MarksTriangle Business Journal profiles Marks Clearing & Grading founder Tyler Marks. Image origin: Unknown origin. Heuristic EXIF/XMP label, not C2PA.

Triangle Business Journal profiles Marks Clearing & Grading founder Tyler Marks

The Executive Voice feature follows the company from one Bobcat in 2018 to 215 employees and an estimated $135 million backlog.

Client confirmed
Gregg Marks lays out Marks Clearing & Grading's growth model in TBJ Executive InsightsGregg Marks lays out Marks Clearing & Grading's growth model in TBJ Executive Insights. Image origin: Unknown origin. Heuristic EXIF/XMP label, not C2PA.

Gregg Marks lays out Marks Clearing & Grading's growth model in TBJ Executive Insights

Then CEO, Gregg Marks talked speed, culture and the company's move toward delivering finished lots through MCG Capital.

Client confirmed
Marks Clearing & Grading ranks No. 6 on Triangle Business Journal's 2025 Fast 50Marks Clearing & Grading ranks No. 6 on Triangle Business Journal's 2025 Fast 50. Image origin: Unknown origin. Heuristic EXIF/XMP label, not C2PA.

Marks Clearing & Grading ranks No. 6 on Triangle Business Journal's 2025 Fast 50

The Wendell sitework contractor landed near the top of the Triangle's list of fastest-growing companies.

Client confirmed