John M. Harbert
John M. Harbert III | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date |
| Died | March 31, 1995 (aged 73) |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Years active | 1949–1995 |
| Known for | Expanding Harbert Corporation into a global construction enterprise |
| Spouse | Marguerite "Wita" Jones |
John Murdoch Harbert III (July 19, 1921 – March 31, 1995) was a prominent American entrepreneur recognized for expanding Harbert Corporation into one of the foremost global construction enterprises, accumulating a personal fortune surpassing $1.7 billion. He lived with his spouse Marguerite in the Mountain Brook area near Birmingham, Alabama.
John was the elder sibling of Birmingham entrepreneur Bill L. Harbert, who co-established Harbert Corp. and led its overseas operations. In 1993, the international construction segment of Harbert Corp. was sold to Bill, and it is currently managed by Bill’s son Billy under the name B.L. Harbert International.
Life
During World War II, Harbert served as a private in the United States Army and completed a civil engineering degree at Auburn University in 1946. He launched Harbert Corporation in 1949, concentrating on both domestic and global construction markets—becoming one of the largest U.S. firms in this sector. In the early 1990s, the company divested its domestic and international construction divisions; the international branch evolved into B.L. Harbert International under his brother’s guidance. The corporation also operated subsidiaries involved in mining, pipeline construction, land development, limestone quarrying, and road building.
Harbert's developments were significant in Alabama and throughout the Middle East. Key projects in the Birmingham metropolitan region include the Elton B. Stephens Expressway (also known as Red Mountain Expressway, U.S. Highway 280), the Riverchase planned community featuring the Riverchase Galleria—the largest shopping mall in Alabama—and the Regions-Harbert Plaza. A portion of Interstate 459, serving as Birmingham’s southern bypass, bears his name.
A dedicated philanthropist, Harbert made considerable donations to Auburn University and Birmingham-Southern College, where a facility is named in honor of his wife.
He was married to Marguerite "Wita" Jones, with whom he had three children: John Murdoch IV, Raymond, and Marguerite. Harbert passed away on March 31, 1995. He maintained a business partnership and friendship with T. Boone Pickens. His legacy continues through his son Raymond at the helm of Harbert Management Corporation.
Books
- John M. Harbert III: Marching to the Beat of a Different Drummer, () authored by Leah Rawls Atkins, published by Tarva House, Birmingham, Alabama (1999)