B.S. – CIVIL ENGINEERING ’83
Since graduating from the Capstone, Kenneth “Ken” Nolen Jr. has paved a path toward success during his 40-year career in the field of civil engineering.
A native of Hueytown, Alabama, Nolen earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from The University of Alabama in 1983.
Following his graduation from UA, Nolen began working in the management training program for Vulcan Materials Company in Birmingham, Alabama, and was later transferred to the company’s division in Chattanooga, Tennessee. A few years later, he moved to Sarasota, Florida, to join APAC Sarasota Inc., where he managed water and sewer piping installation, road grading and paving operations, and various work crews.
In 1989, Nolen was recruited back to Birmingham by his father-in- law to work for the family’s company, Process Equipment Inc. Nolen
has dedicated the past 34 years of his career to investing in and growing the business, which is now called ProcessBarron. As the current president and CEO, Nolen casts the vision for the company and directs the senior leadership team. The company specializes in heavy steel fabrication as well as equipment installation and maintenance. ProcessBarron serves a variety of industrial customers across the United States and Canada.
ProcessBarron has flourished under Nolen’s leadership and now has 500 employees both nationally and internationally. In his 14 years leading the company, Nolen has expanded it to be a multinational corporation and increased annual revenue to $130 million. In 2019, How 2 Media featured the company as part of its “World’s Greatest” segment. This recognition highlighted the substantial contributions the company has made to the design and manufacturing of air, ash, and bulk materials handling equipment.
Nolen is currently a board member for Urban Ministry and BridgeWays Alabama. He and his wife, Kim, are actively involved in their church, Asbury United Methodist in Birmingham. They also have a family foundation through which they partner with their church and other nonprofit organizations to support at-risk youth and adults in their local community. In his spare time, he can be found on the golf course or hiking sections of the Appalachian Trail.
Nolen and his wife currently reside in Columbiana, Alabama. They have three children, Jake, Ali, and Clay, and five grandchildren.