Timothy D. Lubniewski is a self-made business leader with deep roots in Staten Island, New York. After earning his economics degree from SUNY Albany, he took a risk and launched his first construction business at just 23 years old. That risk paid off.
Over the next two decades, Timothy grew multiple companies in the paving and maintenance industry, including Stream-N-Stone, Paving Arts Corp, and Paving Associates. His focus was simple: deliver quality work, build trust with clients, and treat workers like family. Those values helped his company become one of the most recognised paving maintenance providers in the Northeast.
Eventually, he sold his business to Rose Paving, a private-equity-backed national leader in commercial paving. He stayed on as General Manager, helping scale operations across the U.S. and leading with the same hands-on approach that built his early success.
Timothy’s story is about more than business. It’s about faith, family, and resilience. He overcame personal and professional setbacks with determination and a belief that there’s always an answer if you’re willing to look for it. He’s driven by a desire to grow, lead, and give back.
Outside of work, he enjoys baseball, basketball, golf, and gardening. He lives with his wife Kathryn, a respected college professor, and their two sons, Andrew and Robert. Through the Jacobsen Lubniewski Fund, he supports community and church initiatives, believing that real success is measured by the good you do for others.
Q&A with Timothy D. Lubniewski on the Meaning of Success
How do you define success?
Success, to me, is when your workers ask for your advice, not because they have to, but because they trust you. It’s when a client calls you a friend. That kind of respect can’t be bought or faked. It’s earned every day by showing up, doing your job, and keeping your word.
What part of your career taught you the most about success?
Starting my first company at 23 taught me everything. I didn’t have a roadmap. I had to figure it out through failure and long days on the job. There were times I thought about giving up, especially when things got tight financially. But I always believed in putting in just a little more effort when it felt like I had nothing left. That mindset carried me through.
Can you share a moment when you felt you had “made it”?
Funny enough, I never really felt like I “made it.” Even when we were one of the top paving companies in the Northeast, I still showed up like we had everything to prove. If I had to choose a moment, it would be when Rose Paving acquired my business, and I was asked to stay on as General Manager. That told me the work we did mattered beyond just our region.
What does long-term success look like for you today?
It’s about legacy now. It’s not just about growing a business—it’s about growing people. I want the teams I work with to thrive even when I’m not there. I also think about the example I’m setting for my sons. If they grow up knowing that hard work, faith, and honesty matter, that’s a win.
How did faith influence your view of success?
In every way. Faith kept me grounded when things felt out of control. I’ve been through personal losses, tough business choices, and moments where I had to start over. Faith reminded me that success isn’t always immediate. Sometimes it’s just about staying upright and moving forward. You don’t always get a sign—you just get a next step.
Have you made mistakes along the way? How did they shape your view of success?
Absolutely. One of the biggest was partnering with someone whose perspectives didn’t match mine. It did not mean either one of us was right or wrong. It was about what we saw and wanted in life for our company. But it taught me how to read people better and to trust my instincts. Success isn’t about avoiding mistakes—it’s about recovering from them with your integrity intact.
What role does education play in your story of success?
My degree in economics gave me the basics—how money works, how businesses operate. But most of what I’ve learned came after school. Real-world education happens on the job, in conversations, in setbacks. I’ve also read tons of books on leadership and personal growth. You’re never done learning.
What advice would you give someone starting out who wants to be “successful”?
Start by defining what success really means to you—not what Instagram or society says it should be. Is it freedom? Security? Respect? Then get to work. Don’t chase shortcuts. Don’t let fear stop you. And don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. There’s honour in every honest trade and every small step forward.
Is success about money, recognition, or something else?
Money is just a tool. Recognition fades. Real success is how people talk about you when you’re not in the room. It’s the impact you leave on others—how they feel when they work with you, how they grow because of you. That’s the part that lasts.
Final thoughts on success?
There’s no one path. But I believe everyone has the potential to succeed at something meaningful. You just have to be willing to stick with it when others quit. Have faith, stay humble, and keep moving.