When people think of innovation, their minds often go to Silicon Valley. But innovation can happen anywhere, even in asphalt and concrete. Timothy Lubniewski has spent more than two decades proving that. From starting his first company at 23 to managing large-scale paving operations across the Northeast, his story is one of persistence, faith, and steady growth.
Early Roots in Staten Island
Lubniewski grew up in Staten Island, New York, where sports played a big role in his early years. Baseball was his first passion. “I learned a lot about competition from baseball,” he recalls. “The drive to win, the fear of failure, it shaped how I approached everything later in life.”
After high school, he enrolled at the University at Albany. There, he studied economics and graduated in 2001. “Economics gave me a way to understand business decisions,” he explains. “It wasn’t just numbers, it was about how choices affect people in the long run.”
Starting Young
While many graduates were still figuring things out, Lubniewski took a risk. At just 23, he launched his first construction business. “I didn’t wait for the perfect moment,” he says. “I believed you had to start, even if you didn’t have all the answers.”
This hands-on start soon grew into something bigger. He founded and managed multiple ventures, including Stream-n-Stone Inc. and Paving Arts Corp. These early companies gave him the foundation he needed for what would become his largest project: Paving Associates.
Paving Associates
In 2013, Lubniewski co-founded Paving Associates in Staten Island. Over the years, the company grew into a well-known name in commercial paving and facility maintenance. Its services went beyond asphalt. They handled concrete, snow removal, power washing, and more.
The company’s reach extended across the New York Metro Area, covering Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, Long Island, Westchester, Northern New Jersey, and parts of Connecticut. Clients ranged from small businesses to major commercial facilities.
Recognition soon followed. Pavement Magazine featured the company for its methods and business strategies. Paving associates was recognized as the top paving maintenance contractor in the north east. For Lubniewski, it was validation. “We built trust by showing up every day and doing the work right,” he says.
Lessons from Partnerships
Not every step was easy. Lubniewski talks openly about mistakes. One lesson came from working with a business partner. “I partnered with someone who had a different perspective on how and where to grow the business,” he remembers. “It made me analyze value added. Not just the bottom line but in creating company culture..” To be the best you need all your resources( especially employees) rowing in the same direction.
He also faced personal loss and tragedy over the years. His way through was simple: faith and effort. “When you’re ready to give up, that’s when you need to push a little harder,” he says. “God gave me the strength to keep moving forward.”
Joining Rose Paving
In 2025, after decades at the helm of Paving Associates, Lubniewski sold the business to Rose Paving, the largest privately held paving maintenance company in the U.S. He took on a new role as General Manager.
At Rose Paving, he now works on large-scale projects with nationwide reach. His focus is on strategy, business development, and site operations. “It’s different than running your own company,” he says. “But it’s rewarding to be part of something that big.”
Family and Personal Life
Outside of work, Lubniewski lives in Staten Island with his wife, Kathryn, a respected college professor. They have two sons, Andrew and Robert. His hobbies include baseball, basketball, golf, and gardening.
His family also shares in his community efforts. He set up the Jacobsen Lubniewski Fund, a donor-advised fund that supports churches and local causes. “Giving back is important,” he explains. “It’s part of being connected to the place you came from.”
A Philosophy of Persistence
If there’s a theme to Lubniewski’s career, it’s persistence. He often describes himself as his own toughest critic. “I read a lot of books on personal growth,” he says. “I always want to be better tomorrow than I was today.”
For him, success isn’t about titles or money. It’s about impact. “I measure success by the amount of joy and happiness others have,” he explains. “If people around me are better off, that’s what matters.”
Looking Ahead
Lubniewski’s journey shows that industries like paving and facility maintenance can be just as demanding and rewarding as tech or finance. His story is about building, literally and figuratively, from the ground up.
“Don’t give up,” he says. “Almost never. There’s always an answer. Have faith and keep going.”
For a man who started with baseball and ended up managing some of the largest paving projects in the country, it’s a fitting philosophy.
Interview with Timothy Lubniewski
You started your first company at 23. What motivated you to take that leap so early?
I didn’t wait for the perfect moment. I believed you had to start, even if you didn’t have all the answers. That decision taught me more than any classroom ever could.
What did running Paving Associates for 12 years teach you about business?
It taught me the value of consistency. We built trust by showing up every day and doing the work right. That’s how we earned recognition in Pavement Magazine.
You’ve spoken about partnering with the wrong person once. What did you learn from that experience?
I learned how important it is to recognize values early. If someone’s values don’t align with yours, it creates problems you can’t fix later.
How do you handle setbacks or personal challenges?
With faith and effort. When you’re ready to give up, that’s when you need to push a little harder. Faith in God helped me get through loss and tough times.
Now that you’re with Rose Paving, how has your role changed from running your own company?
It’s different than being the owner. I’m part of a much larger operation now. I focus more on strategy, business development, and managing large-scale projects.
How do you personally define success today?
I measure success by the amount of joy and happiness others have. If people around me are better off, that’s what matters most.
