In the world of hardscaping, where paving meets artistry and functionality endures through time, Kimberly Miller, President of European Pavers Southwest, stands as a testament to building a legacy— both personal and professional.
Foundation of Family
Kimberly’s journey began long before she officially entered the business. In 1978, her father founded a paver manufacturing company in Wisconsin after learning advanced techniques in Europe. He became one of the first in America to transition paving technology to aggregate plants.
However, life took a turn when her father was diagnosed with cancer in the early 80s. Facing limited work seasons in Wisconsin and the closure of his plant, he saw an opportunity in Arizona’s year-round work climate.
“There really weren’t any installers, and he’s like, you know what? We can work every day of the week, 12 months out of the year. He’s like, ‘Let’s come here.’ He brought his guys from Milwaukee,” Kimberly recalled.
In Arizona, they built more than a business; they shaped the industry.
“We really built a brand here and built all the city specs — City of Phoenix, City of Gilbert, City of Chandler — and they still follow them to this day. It’s really kind of cool,” she said.
Rising Through the Ranks
Miller has known she wanted to work at European Pavers Southwest since she was about 4 years old.
“They would buy me the little playhouse, like the cookware things, and instead of making it like the kitchen, I turned it into an office. I had zero interest in doing anything that was Susie Homemaker. I always wanted to be the business person,” Miller said. “I always wanted to do something with my dad.”
She officially joined the company in 1991, learning every aspect of the business — from matching receipts to sweeping the yard, to managing complex projects.
In July 2007, she took over as president. Unfortunately, her father passed away in January 2009.
“I’ve been running it on my own since then,” Miller said, noting that her father’s lessons remain deeply ingrained. She keeps his management ethos at the forefront of her leadership.
“Treat everybody with respect. Treat all the employees with respect,” she said.
It’s a value reflected in her team’s loyalty; many employees have been with the company for over 30 years.
“I really paid attention to my dad. He really was the first one to get there in the morning, and the last one to leave. I really paid attention to his hard work and dedication,” she said.
Advice for Women in the Field
Miller has seen various changes in the field throughout the decades. While she has seen a growing number of women getting into hardscaping, she admits that she can often be the only woman on a job site.
For women considering a career in hardscaping, Miller offers candid advice.
“Have a backbone. Stick with what you know. Have confidence. Don’t be afraid to defend yourself,” she said. “And don’t be afraid to use a four-letter word every once in a while. I do it all the time.”
Pride in Every Project
What drives Kimberly is witnessing her team’s craftsmanship throughout the communities and state. Her favorite projects are large-scale municipal works like Scottsdale Civic Square.
“What’s the point of saying, ‘Oh yeah, we did Bob’s driveway.’ Big deal. You can’t go see it. But I can send you over to Scottsdale Civic Center. You can go see it and look at our workmanship,” she said.
The Scottsdale Civic Center project even earned European Pavers Southwest an award in the Segmental Concrete Pavement – Commercial category at Hardscape North America 2024.
“I love being able to put it on our website and letting our employees know so they can talk about it with clients. People want to come up and talk to them, and it’s nice for them to have that information,” Miller said.
“Awards let them know that they can be proud that they’re working for a company that takes pride in what they do.”
Expanding the Legacy
In recent years, Miller battled cancer herself, but she never stopped pushing the business forward. In 2024, she launched European Pavers Southeast, completing their first job in Georgia and working to expand certification efforts across five additional states.
“Why not? It’s not like I don’t have enough things on my plate,” she joked.
Her legacy-minded vision extends to her family. She hopes to one day pass down European Pavers to her son.
“I want him to have the same pride and to be able to carry on the legacy the way I have carried it on. I want him to keep building it up because we definitely have something going,” Miller said.
From paving roads to building lasting relationships, Miller shows that creating and building hardscapes extends far beyond the materials — it’s about crafting a future that stands strong for generations.
