it was in 1891 that he began his service with sloss-sheffield steel & iron company—then sloss iron & steel company—one of the greatest industrial concerns in the southern united states. he began in the transportation department, but in the following year was made auditor of the company. he rose quickly through the ranks: in 1897, he was made secretary and treasurer, and in 1902 he was made vice-president. finally, in 1918 he was elected president of the company. as an executive at sloss-sheffield, mcqueen devoted much of his attention to the development of the company's properties. many facilities were built or rebuilt under mcqueen, including by-product coke ovens in north birmingham. he served as the president of sloss-sheffield until his death.