Scott Cline serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Ruby-Collins. Since coming on board in 2005, he has been instrumental in shaping Ruby-Collins’ evolution, defining our long-term vision, and strengthening relationships with project owners and industry stakeholders.
Scott helped guide the company through the many challenges of the 2008–2012 economic downturn. Since then, he has driven our expansion from a 26-person, $13-million firm to an organization of 500+ employees with annual revenues exceeding $500 million.
But he hasn’t always been at the helm. Scott got his start as a Project Engineer; at Ruby-Collins, he found advancement opportunities, hands-on experience, and the chance to become a part owner of the business he’s building.
Today, we’ll share his story, from landmark projects to life-changing promotions.
Scott’s interest in the construction industry started when he was still in high school. After taking mechanical drafting and AutoCAD classes, he worked as a draftsman, which sparked his interest in civil engineering. He further pursued that path in college, spending three years working on a massive dam project in his hometown—at the time, it was one of the largest civil projects in the nation.
The scale and scope of this technically demanding project left a lasting impression and cemented his career path in heavy civil construction. Scott ultimately earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of South Carolina.
Scott’s career at Ruby-Collins began with the oversight of two large projects for the City of Atlanta: The Stockade Basin and Greensferry Basin Sewer separation projects. These jobs represented the beginning of Atlanta’s consent decree work, and they were budgeted for $80M and $100M, respectively. Managing two big-budget builds gave Scott valuable field experience that propelled his career.
Over the course of his first three years at RC, Scott completed the work on Stockade, then moved over to close out the Greenferry project. He rose through the ranks, receiving a promotion from Project Manager to Vice President. When Greenferry came to a close, he was offered the opportunity to join the ownership group as a minor shareholder.
Ruby-Collins is a business focused on continuing education and ongoing growth. That dedication comes through in RC’s support of individual educational goals. In 2010, Scott started a Master of Business Administration program at Georgia Tech with a focus on accounting and finance. Ruby-Collins reimbursed him for the expenses associated with the pursuit of his MBA.
For Scott, leadership starts with a deep appreciation for the people he works alongside every day. He values the dedication and commitment of talented teams who take on complex projects and commit long hours to getting the job done right. Over the last two decades, Scott has helped deliver many of Atlanta’s consent decree projects without missing a milestone.
Scott’s work in our industry and community goes beyond his leadership at Ruby-Collins. He has served on several boards and is an active member of the Georgia Utility Contractors Association, where he has contributed to the scholarship, finance, and legislative committees. He also recently began a two-year term as the Chairman of the Chastain Park Conservancy, where he helped update the organization’s 20-year master plan.
Today, Scott makes his home in Atlanta. He’s still a lifelong Gamecocks fan, and he loves spending time on the golf course, although he readily admits that there’s always room for improvement in his swing.
Curious about opportunities for advancement at Ruby-Collins? Send us a message or visit our Culture page to learn more.
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