Heath Cundey
OSS
North Augusta
Congratulations to our STAR Employee of the month, Heath Cundey!
At Harbin Lumber, we believe that character, work ethic, and a willingness to learn are just as important as industry experience. Heath Cundey is the perfect example of that belief in action. This August, we’re proud to recognize Heath as our STAR Employee of the Month for North Augusta – a title well earned by someone who embodies what it means to be “All In.”
Heath didn’t come from the lumber industry. In fact, before joining Harbin almost two years ago, he spent 27 years running his own dry-cleaning business. He also had a long history in landscape design and golf course construction. But when labor shortages hit hard after the pandemic, Heath made the tough call to close his business and took a leap of faith into a completely new industry. For years, he had been a loyal customer of Harbin Lumber, often working closely with David Fields on materials and orders. That ongoing relationship turned into opportunity when David encouraged him to consider joining the Harbin team – and it turned out to be a perfect fit.
From day one, Heath committed to learning every aspect of the business. He rotated through different departments for months – from the counter to the yard, even spending time with drivers and visiting our truss and door plants – soaking in every bit of knowledge he could. “It can be kind of intimidating making a midlife career change,” Heath shared. “But I’ve been blessed to have a lot of people here help me understand the technical side of things. I may not know everything, but I’ve got about 150 years of experience back at the shop who can get me answers real quick.”
Sales Manager, Randy Wells, shared this powerful statement about Heath’s impact:
“I really appreciate Heath, both professionally and personally. He’s done a fantastic job. He truly has a servant’s heart. He’s got a very positive attitude, always smiling and willing to help out. He genuinely cares about helping people. One of the biggest things that working with Heath has reminded me of — and we all need to be reminded of this — he did not come from our industry, but he’s been a testament to how being a good person, with a solid work ethic, knowing how to treat and serve people, and being persistent will always pay off and lead to success. At the end of the day, if you do things the right way, treat people with decency and respect, work hard, things will work out for you. I’m really proud of the success he’s had within our company and market.”
Heath brings that same servant-minded attitude to his customers every day – always willing to step in and help however he can. “I’ve gotten a lot of feedback from customers that my willingness to throw something in my truck and bring it out when they need it – whether it’s an hour away or 10 minutes down the road – is rare,” he said. “If someone needs something, I want to make it happen. That’s just how I’m wired.”
While Heath has certainly earned the spotlight, he’s quick to deflect the praise back to his teammates. He says the real recognition belongs to the hard working crew at the North Augusta lumber yard. “The true heroes are the ops team,” Heath said. “They’re the ones out there in the heat, loading trucks, delivering materials, navigating tough job sites, and getting the job done day in and day out. I’m so thankful to be part of a team that shows up and makes it happen, no matter what.”
Heath’s spirit of service goes far beyond his daily role. He’s an active supporter of multiple charitable causes, including Habitat for Humanity – a partnership that is especially meaningful to him. “Even when I was in business, I supported the Habitat chapter in Aiken County. I didn’t realize Harbin was such a big supporter too, but it’s been so rewarding to see the impact we’re making. Habitat changes lives.”
JP Adams, General Manager of the North Augusta yard, added:
“Heath personifies what it means to serve. Not only does he passionately serve his customers, but he is active with multiple charitable organizations in our community. His service has changed the trajectory of our location for years to come.”
Whether it’s delivering products at a moment’s notice, volunteering in the community, or smoking pulled pork for his coworkers (yes – Heath’s a BBQ enthusiast, too), he does it all with humility and heart. He’s a father to three daughters, all in college, and his warmth, positivity, and dedication make him not just a standout employee, but a beloved member of the Harbin family.
Heath, we’re so thankful you chose to bring your energy, heart, and work ethic to Harbin. You’ve made a lasting impact on our team, our customers, and our community — and we’re better because of you. Congratulations on being our STAR Employee!