Bernard A. Monaghan
Encyclopedia
Bernard Andrew Monaghan, Jr. (1916-1987) was United States
General Counsel of the Army
from 1952 to 1953 and Chief Executive Office of Vulcan Materials Company
from 1959 to 1981.
on January 28, 1916, son of Bernard Andrew Monaghan, Sr. and Mary Frances (Jackson) Monaghan. He was educated at Birmingham–Southern College, receiving a B.A. in 1934. During his time there, he was affiliated with Alpha Tau Omega
. He then attended Harvard Law School
, receiving an LL.B. in 1937. He was admitted to the bar of Alabama
in 1937. Monaghan then studied at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, receiving a second B.A. in 1939.
In 1939, Monaghan returned to Birmingham, joining a law firm
that is the predecessor firm of Bradley Arant Rose & White (which would eventually merge and become Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP
). During World War II
, Monaghan served in the United States Marine Corps
as a captain. After the war, he returned to his law firm, becoming a partner in the firm in 1948. In 1952, he took a leave of absence from the firm to serve as General Counsel of the Army
, holding that post from August 26, 1952 until August 14, 1953. He then returned to his Birmingham law practice. He also remained active in the United States Marine Corps Reserve
, eventually attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel
.
In 1958, one of Monaghan's clients, Vulcan Materials Company
, asked Monaghan to join their company as Executive Vice President. After a year as Executive Vice President, in 1959 Monaghan became President and Chief Executive Officer
of Vulcan Materials. He held this position until 1981. Under Monaghan's leadership, Vulcan Materials grew dramatically, eventually becoming a Forbes 500
company.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
General Counsel of the Army
General Counsel of the Army
The General Counsel of the Army is the General Counsel of the United States Department of the Army and the chief legal counselor of the United States Secretary of the Army...
from 1952 to 1953 and Chief Executive Office of Vulcan Materials Company
Vulcan Materials Company
Vulcan Materials Company , based in Birmingham, Alabama is principally engaged in the production, distribution and sale of construction materials. Vulcan is the largest producer of construction materials, primarily gravel, crushed stone, and sand, and employs approximately 9,700 people at over 356...
from 1959 to 1981.
Biography
Bernard A. Monaghan was born in Birmingham, AlabamaBirmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
on January 28, 1916, son of Bernard Andrew Monaghan, Sr. and Mary Frances (Jackson) Monaghan. He was educated at Birmingham–Southern College, receiving a B.A. in 1934. During his time there, he was affiliated with Alpha Tau Omega
Alpha Tau Omega
Alpha Tau Omega is a secret American leadership and social fraternity.The Fraternity has more than 250 active and inactive chapters, more than 200,000 initiates, and over 7,000 active undergraduate members. The 200,000th member was initiated in early 2009...
. He then attended Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is the oldest continually-operating law school in the United States and is home to the largest academic law library in the world. The school is routinely ranked by the U.S...
, receiving an LL.B. in 1937. He was admitted to the bar of Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
in 1937. Monaghan then studied at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, receiving a second B.A. in 1939.
In 1939, Monaghan returned to Birmingham, joining a law firm
Law firm
A law firm is a business entity formed by one or more lawyers to engage in the practice of law. The primary service rendered by a law firm is to advise clients about their legal rights and responsibilities, and to represent clients in civil or criminal cases, business transactions, and other...
that is the predecessor firm of Bradley Arant Rose & White (which would eventually merge and become Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is a law firm based in Birmingham, Alabama. In addition to its Birmingham office, Bradley Arant also has offices in Charlotte, North Carolina, Huntsville, Alabama, Jackson, Mississippi, Montgomery, Alabama, Washington D.C., and Nashville, Tennessee...
). During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Monaghan served in the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
as a captain. After the war, he returned to his law firm, becoming a partner in the firm in 1948. In 1952, he took a leave of absence from the firm to serve as General Counsel of the Army
General Counsel of the Army
The General Counsel of the Army is the General Counsel of the United States Department of the Army and the chief legal counselor of the United States Secretary of the Army...
, holding that post from August 26, 1952 until August 14, 1953. He then returned to his Birmingham law practice. He also remained active in the United States Marine Corps Reserve
United States Marine Corps Reserve
The Marine Forces Reserve is the reserve force of the United States Marine Corps. It is the largest command in the U.S...
, eventually attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
.
In 1958, one of Monaghan's clients, Vulcan Materials Company
Vulcan Materials Company
Vulcan Materials Company , based in Birmingham, Alabama is principally engaged in the production, distribution and sale of construction materials. Vulcan is the largest producer of construction materials, primarily gravel, crushed stone, and sand, and employs approximately 9,700 people at over 356...
, asked Monaghan to join their company as Executive Vice President. After a year as Executive Vice President, in 1959 Monaghan became President and Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of Vulcan Materials. He held this position until 1981. Under Monaghan's leadership, Vulcan Materials grew dramatically, eventually becoming a Forbes 500
Forbes 500
The Forbes 500 was an annual listing of the top 500 American companies produced by Forbes Magazine. The list was calculated by combining five factors: sales, profits, assets, market value, and employees...
company.