85 Years of Building in Nashville: The Legacy of R.C. Mathews
For 85 years, R.C. Mathews Contractor (RCMC) has helped shape Nashville’s skyline while remaining grounded in the same values that have guided us since the beginning. Founded in 1941, we have grown alongside Nashville, evolving from a local contractor into one of the region’s most respected construction firms. Through four generations of family leadership, RCMC has remained committed to relationships, integrity, and the belief that success is ultimately measured by the impact we make in our community.
Principles Passed Down Through Generations
Many of the principles that guide RCMC today were passed down through stories, lessons, and lived examples from earlier generations of leadership. Over time, these ideas became part of the company’s culture and helped shape the company’s guiding principles. At the heart of those principles is a simple but lasting belief: you’re only as good as your last project. That mindset reflects a deeper commitment to service, accountability, and long-term relationships. It is why we measure success not only by the buildings we complete, but by the trust we build along the way. These principles continue to show up in how we communicate, how we solve problems, how we manage challenges, and how we care for the people who make the work possible.
Growing With Nashville
RCMC’s history is deeply connected to the growth and transformation of Nashville. In the early years, RCMC built shoe manufacturing plants throughout the South and completed foundational work on projects such as the Life & Casualty Tower, helping establish RCMC as a trusted local builder by the 1950s. During the 1960s, our leadership embraced an entrepreneurial design-build approach well before it became common in the industry, contributing to developments such as the Metropolitan Industrial Park and MetroCenter. In the decades that followed, we adapted to economic downturns, oil crises, shifting markets, and the dramatic transformation of downtown Nashville. As Nashville changed, RCMC changed with it. Under the leadership of Walker Mathews Sr., who joined the family business in 1983, the company continued to build and restore places that matter to the community, including the Ryman Auditorium, Montgomery County Courthouse, the Frist Art Museum, Belmont University’s Fisher Center and many other projects across the region.
A New Generation of R.C. Mathews
In 2019, Walker Mathews Jr. became President of RCMC, representing the fourth generation of Mathews leadership. His leadership began during a period of significant change for the company, the city, and the construction industry, including the challenges of COVID-19. Today, Walker Jr. leads with a focus on company culture, team development, client engagement, and long-term strategy. His leadership reflects both respect for the company’s history and a clear vision for its future. The company continues to grow across markets including institutional, nonprofit, commercial, healthcare, historical renovation, and multifamily work, while staying focused on the people and relationships that have always been central to RCMC.
