"I got that name as a sophomore in high school. I played for a small county school in Kentucky. In a game I made a slithering move on the basketball court and my coach said I looked like a snake doing that. Being about six-foot-five, 145 pounds at the time, my physique was skinny and slippery. I was called "Snake" for three years in high school. I came across the state line to Vanderbilt and the name just stuck. My wife and friends still call me `Snake.'" 

The Story Behind the Name "Snake"

President / CEO Snake Steel Inc - Kelly Blake

                        (with Wife Liz)

ABOUT SNAKE STEEL

Snake Steel was formed and incorporated in July of 1992 by former 1960's Vanderbilt Basketball star Robert "Snake" Grace in order to fabricate structural and miscellaneous steel locally in Nashville, TN. Snake had worked in the late 1960's and early 1970's for a large steel fabricator until he ventured into becoming a co-owner of another steel fabricator. In 1992 Snake parted ways and formed his own company that would focus on staying small and local, but most of all treat his employees fairly and give great service to his customers. In 2004 Snake sold the business to long time employee and friend Kelly Blake. Kelly has fostered Snake's philosophy of keeping the company small and local while still remaining technologically current with all industry standards. Kelly is an Virginia Military Institute and Auburn Alumni and has over 30 years of experience in the steel and construction industry. Under Kelly's leadership Snake Steel has retained the reputation as one of the leading division 5 contractors in middle Tennessee.