BSCI Alumni Company Finds Talent in Auburn

Founded in Athens, Alabama, in 1964, Martin & Cobey has deep roots on the Plains with 70 percent of its leadership team having graduated from Auburn. The family-run company has over six decades of experience in design, construction and management, creating over 1,000 projects across commercial, industrial and public sectors.

McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI) alum Brian Moore ‘87 is President of the mid-sized company that was originally started by his father-in-law Fred Martin Jr. ‘55. He runs the business with his brother-in-law, Vice President Frederick Martin, a 1984 graduate of Auburn’s Civil Engineering program, and Chief Financial Officer Bryan Nelson, a 1987 graduate of Auburn’s Accounting program.

“You can probably discern from all the Auburn people that are employed here, it has had a tremendous influence on our company,” Moore said. “We value Auburn’s Building Science degree very highly because the graduates are really qualified.”

The leadership team boasts five other BSCI alumni including Senior Project Manager Jim Maynard ‘90 and Preconstruction Director Brian Nelson ‘16, who serves on the Industry Advisory Council, a regional group that assists with curriculum issues, mentoring and industry visits. In the last few years, the company brought on Project Managers Martin Moore ‘19 and Jacob Johnston ‘21, recently adding Assistant Project Managers Seth White ‘23 and Guy Greenhaw ‘24 to round out the Auburn-trained team.

Martin & Cobey’s work spreads through Alabama including two $60 million high school projects and 10 county jail facilities. The company recently oversaw the construction management of the Alabama Veteran Park, for which it received the AGC 2025 BUILDSouth Award for Community Involvement.

Coming up, the company will take on the renovation of Carter Hall at Athens State University. The $30 million renovation will transform the 1960s athletic facility into a conference center with an accessible entrance and a pre-event hall.

The company pours back into Auburn with 30 years of ongoing participation in the School that provided a foundation for its team members.

“Martin & Cobey has supported the program through scholarships and by providing funds to support outstanding faculty,” said BSCI School Head and McWhorter Endowed Chair Richard Burt, adding that Moore has been a valuable member of the BSCI Industry Executive Board for 20 years, helping to advance the School’s educational service and applied research opportunities.

Christopher Griffin, College of Architecture, Design and Construction Director of Philanthropy, thanked the team for supporting the education of future construction professionals.

“The Martin & Cobey team have a long-standing history of involvement, and Brian has continued that legacy by consistently supporting the McWhorter School of Building Science with his time, service and philanthropy,” Griffin said.