Timothy Lubniewski is the General Manager at Rose Paving LLC and longtime paving industry leader. Based in Staten Island, New York, he has more than two decades of experience building and managing companies in commercial asphalt, concrete, and facility maintenance.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what you do?
I manage large-scale paving and facility maintenance projects at Rose Paving, which is one of the largest commercial paving companies in the country. Before that, I ran my own company, Paving Associates, for 25 years. We started small but grew to handle projects across the entire New York Metro area. I’ve been in this industry since I was in my early 20s, and I still enjoy being on job sites, meeting clients, and seeing projects through from planning to completion.
How would you describe your personal or professional vibe in 3 words?
Focused, steady, resilient. Focused because I’ve always had to juggle operations, strategy, and people all at once. Steady because the paving industry is tough, deadlines, weather, and clients don’t always cooperate, so you can’t afford to get rattled. Resilient because over 25 years you face setbacks, mistakes, and even failures, and you learn how to push through them without quitting.
What’s one fun fact about you most people don’t know?
I’m really into gardening, which surprises people because it seems like the opposite of paving—one is hard surfaces, the other is living things. But I enjoy getting outside, working in the soil, and watching plants grow season after season. It gives me balance after long weeks of managing projects.
What’s your favorite TV show right now?
I’ve been re-watching Game of Thrones. Growing up in Staten Island and the New York area, you become "street smart”. Unfortunately, not everyone wants you to be the best. You have to play life in the city like chess, not checkers. Beyond the drama, it’s also about how you handle the people closest to you.
What’s your most-used social media app these days?
I have never had or used a social media account. Then my office admin created a LinkedIn account for me. It was mostly managed by my office, but I did see some value in it.
What was the first social media app you ever joined?
LinkedIn was the first and only social media app I’ve ever joined, and while my team set it up, I’ve come to appreciate the connections it’s created.
Are there any influencers or creators you never miss content from?
Anthony Robbins taught me that action is the most important thing in life. I’m not one for just talking about ideas. I believe in setting clear timelines and taking consistent action to reach my goals.
Are there any must-follow accounts or pages for people in your industry?
Pavement Magazine is essential. They cover everything from new asphalt technologies to business strategies for contractors. They also spotlight companies, which helps people see what’s working across the industry. When Paving Associates was featured, it was a proud moment for our team.
Do you listen to any podcasts related to your field or niche?
Yes, I’ll listen to The Contractor Fight Podcast when I’m driving. It focuses on real challenges contractors face, like managing costs, leading crews, and working with clients. A lot of it applies directly to what I do day-to-day, and it’s good to hear others in the industry share their perspective.
What’s the best advice you’ve heard from a podcast or interview?
“Don’t be the bottleneck.” That stuck with me. As a business owner, I used to think I needed to control every detail. But if everything has to go through you, growth stalls. Delegating and trusting others is hard, but it’s the only way to scale.
If you could collab with any influencer or celeb, who would it be?
Derek Jeter. Baseball has always been important to me, and he represents discipline, leadership, and class. He didn’t just play well, he carried himself in a way that inspired people around him. I think there’s a lot any business leader can learn from that mindset.
What’s a habit, hack, or tool you swear by for staying informed or inspired?
Reading. Every day I make time for it, even if it’s just 15 minutes at night. Sometimes it’s about personal growth, other times it’s biographies of leaders or history. Books give me a long-term perspective that balances out the constant short-term demands of business.
Keep up to date with Timothy Lubniewski on LinkedIn.
