John R. McAdams
John McAdams is the visionary leader who founded McAdams in 1979. Under his leadership, the firm grew into one of the largest and most respected design, engineering, and planning companies in the Southeast. In addition to shaping the company’s culture and leading many of its foundational projects, John has served in a number of leadership roles beyond McAdams, including on the Board of Directors for Harrington Bank, as Board Member and Chairman of Triangle Land Conservancy and Carol Woods Retirement Community, and as an appointee to the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission.
2017
What's the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
"When I was a Boy Scout, age 12, and on a four day, 50-mile hike in December along the Cape Fear River in NC; I became separated, lost, freezing and terrified just as night was falling on the second day. When I finally found my way through the dark-and-damp woods to my troop, I was shaken and told our scoutmaster I wanted to quit the hike and have my parents drive out and pick me up. My wise scoutmaster responded: “Johnny, I think that’s a decision you don’t make right now. Let’s make that decision in the morning.” The next morning, we got up, cooked some pancakes, grabbed our packs and resumed the hike. From that experience, I internalized two strong messages: 1. Don’t make decisions when you are distressed, and 2. The fulfillment of achieving a goal is worth persevering, however difficult it may seem at times along the way."
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