California Asphalt Pavement Association
Vol. 15, Issue 21 || May 23, 2022
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Greetings!
This weekly report contains news and information of interest to the asphalt pavement industry, customers and agency partners in California. Please feel free to distribute this newsletter to others who may be interested in asphalt pavements. To provide feedback or story ideas click HERE. Having difficulty viewing this newsletter? View as Webpage
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State Treasurer Fiona Ma, asphalt recycling champion, recognized at CalAPA Annual Dinner |
The Hon. Fiona Ma, Treasurer of California, was on hand last week for the asphalt industry's most prestigious event of the year, the Annual Dinner and installation of California Asphalt Pavement Association officers at the historic Jonathan Club in downtown Los Angeles.
Ma, who authored landmark legislation on asphalt recycling when she was a member of the California Assembly, congratulated CalAPA's 2022 officers and Board of Directors. The association also installed industry legend Rene A. Vercruyssen into its Hall of Fame, and also recognized recently retired CalAPA Regional Director Bill Knopf for a distinguished career representing the asphalt industry in Indiana and California, and longtime CalAPA Member Service Manager Sophie You. Pictures of the May 19 event can be found on the CalAPA Facebook page HERE.
The packed event represented delayed gratification of sorts for the asphalt industry in California, due largely to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 Annual Dinner was cancelled due to public health restrictions on public gatherings, and this year's version, originally scheduled to be held in January, was postponed until May 19 due to a winter surge of COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles County.
The delay did nothing to dim the enthusiasm, however, as industry luminaries filled up the ornate Jonathan Club ballroom to reconnect with old friends, make new ones and celebrate an association well into its sixth decade representing the interests of the asphalt pavement industry in the Golden State.
"To say the past two years has presented the greatest challenge in our association’s 60-plus-year history would be an understatement of epic proportions," said 2022 Chairman Scott Fraser with R.J. Noble. "But I’m pleased to say, our industry rallied around the CalAPA flag and we rose to those challenges in a truly inspiring way. As members of this association, you helped us get through the past two years and emerge on the other end stronger and more determined than ever."
He noted that the association experienced record membership growth in 2021, broadened its products and services dramatically and continued to bolster the association's reputation as the voice of the asphalt industry in California with public and private project owners, elected officials, regulators and others. Noting that the association surged past 200 member companies for the first time as it entered 2022, Fraser said, "I firmly believe that the reason for this is that the return on investment for member dues has never been more valuable."
Ma joined Fraser and other CalAPA Officers on stage to present special certificates of recognition to the CalAPA officers, including Vice Chair Toni Carroll with Graniterock, Treasurer Scott Bottomley with Sully-Miller/Blue Diamond Materials, Secretary Jeff Benedict with Valero Energy Co., and Immediate Past Chair Jordan Reed with the George Reed Co.
The rest of the 2022 CalAPA Board of Directors were also ceremoniously recognized at the event. They were officially approved at a "virtual" All Members Meeting back in February. They are: Scott Metcalf, Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions; Kevin Jeffers, Albina; Frank Costa, DeSilva Gates Materials; Tim Denlay, Knife River; Thomas Bess, T.R. Bess; Chris Handley, Tullis, Inc.; Kody King, Mercer-Fraser; Ron Criss, Hat Creek Construction; Pete Lambert, McGuire & Hester; Mike Murray, Hardy & Harper; Steve Ward, Pavement Recycling Systems; and Chris Gerber, G3 Quality.
Ma delivered the keynote address of the evening, chronicling her inspirational path to Sacramento from her roots as the oldest daughter of immigrant parents, her professional career as a Certified Public Accountant and small-business owner, to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, the California State Assembly, the state Board of Equalization and now Treasurer of of the massive nation-state of California, breaking numerous barriers along the way. Her official biography is HERE.
She noted how her time on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors initially sparked her interest in landfills and recycling, which was a natural fit for her when she was elected to the California Assembly and authored AB812, which was endorsed by CalAPA and promoted asphalt recycling statewide. As part of her research into the bill, CalAPA arranged for her to conduct an in-person inspection of an asphalt plant recycling operation. She learned that asphalt, which is 100% reusable, is the world's most recycled material yet some pavement engineers have resisted increasing the percentage of RAP, as it is known, in pavement mixes. Ultimately, her bill was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2012 and CalAPA has continued raise awareness about the use of RAP as a durable, cost-effective and sustainable best practice ever since.
Ma was prominently featured featured in an in-depth feature on RAP in California Asphalt, the official CalAPA magazine. The issue is on-line HERE. A recent report by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, also known as CalRecycle, found that asphalt represented zero percent of the material that ends up in California landfills. "It is working," she proudly told the group. That report is available for download from the CalRecycle website HERE.
As the state's primary banker, processing more than $2 trillion worth of payments a year, Ma encouraged CalAPA members to remain vigilant in ensuring state and federal tax dollars available to be used for roads, bridges and other vital infrastructure are used to the fullest extent possible, and for the benefit of all areas of the state.
"The squeaky wheel gets the grease," she said. "We need to make sure that we push for a system that equitably allocates the resources to the whole state -- everybody who needs it -- and not just the big cities and counties, because that's what happens in the state unless we are deliberate on how we allocate the money."
In recognition for her leadership, Ma was presented with a special asphalt highway scarf to thunderous applause from the Annual Dinner attendees.
The evening's program also included a posthumous induction of Rene A. Vercruyssen, longtime leader of Baldwin Contracting in Chico and supporter of the asphalt association in Northern California, into CalAPA's Hall of Fame. A story about Vercruyssen's life and legacy is HERE.
Special recognition during the evening was also extended to William "Bill" Knopf, who recently retired from CalAPA to focus on a recent health challenge. Although Knopf could not attend the event in person, Ma brought a special certificate that recognized Knopf "for your service as a longtime construction association executive," including executive director of the Asphalt Pavement Association of Indiana and regional director for CalAPA. The certificate noted Knopf's "passion for workforce development and your firm commitment to advance the asphalt pavement industry in California." Reached following the event, Knopf said the recognition was "so very unexpected and humbling," and "this is clearly the highlight of a difficult year." He added, "I miss all of my CalAPA friends and colleagues. Please give my best regards and sincere appreciation to everyone."
CalAPA's Member Service Manager Sophie You also was recognized for more than a decade of service to the association, and she was also presented a certificate from the treasurer and posed for photographs with her family. In her remarks, the treasurer praised CalAPA's lobbyist, Jeff Sievers, as one of the most effective advocates she has seen in Sacramento. The program kicked off with a rousing Pledge of Allegiance, led by military veterans and CalAPA "Life Members" Carlos Hernandez and Len Nawrocki. Steve Marvin with Labelle-Marvin, delivered a memorable invocation.
The sponsors of the evening included Kenco Engineering (Reception Sponsor); Pavement Recycling Systems and Albina (Leadership Circle Sponsors); R.J. Noble Co., Sully-Miller/Blue Diamond Materials and Valero Energy Corp. (VIP Table Sponsors) and Mercer-Fraser Co. (Lanyard Sponsor).
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Dynamic Duo: The Hon. Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer (left) presents a certificate of recognition to CalAPA Member Service Manager Sophie You. |
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The Hon. Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer (center), congratulates the officers of CalAPA for 2022 (from left): Jeff Benedict, Valero (Secretary); Toni Carroll, Graniterock (Vice Chair); Scott Fraser, R.J. Noble Co. (Chair); Scott Bottomley, Sully-Miller/Blue Diamond Materials (Treasurer); and Jordan Reed, George Reed Co. (Immediate Past Chair). |
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The Hon. Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer (center), chats with CalAPA members Ryan Merritt (left) and Matt Pound with Martin Marietta. |
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CalAPA formalizes relationship with national Women of Asphalt group |
On Mother's Day, CalAPA announced it has formalized its longtime advocacy for women in the asphalt pavement industry by establishing a California branch of the national "Women of Asphalt" organization. The organization's website is HERE.
The group seeks to highlight the contributions of women to the success of the industry, encourage more women to consider careers in asphalt, and elevate those working in the industry. CalAPA's former technical director, Rita Leahy, Ph.D., P.E., was previously recognized by the national organization as the "original woman of asphalt" in its Top 100 list of prominent women in the industry. You can view that list HERE. Leahy recently shared her thoughts with Asphalt Insider on the difficulties women continue to face in entering and succeeding in the asphalt industry.
"A woman cannot be average in the asphalt industry," Leahy said last week. "She has to be above average, the equivalent of a No. 1 draft choice." Leahy also offered the following advice: "Do not confuse your life with your career. Your career is what you do. Your life is who you are."
CalAPA has organized numerous events over the years to highlight and elevate women in the industry, including fun and educational events. The events have ranged from a panel discussion of prominent women leaders in the industry at a Fall Asphalt Pavement Conference in Sacramento in 2018, moderated by Leahy, to whimsical hat contests at CalAPA's annual "Day at the Races" event at Del Mar. A special issue of CalAPA's association magazine, California Asphalt, that spotlighted many of those efforts is HERE.
The formal connection with the national Women of Asphalt group will facilitate coordination and amplification of activities. The mission statement of the national Women of Asphalt group is "empowering women in asphalt industry careers." The goals of the group are to increase awareness of opportunities in the industry, elevate knowledge through education and resources, and provide platforms to create supportive relationships and growth.
CalAPA Member Service Manager Sophie You has conducted informal organizing meetings of women working in the asphalt industry in California, although the meetings were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. To be added to the CalAPA notification list for future meetings (if you have not yet contacted CalAPA already), click HERE to send us a note.
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A festive hat contest was held at CalAPA's "Day at the Races" last year at Del Mar. The event returns July 23. Details are HERE.
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CalAPA's Sophie You (left) leads an informal Women of Asphalt meeting prior to the COVID-19 disruptions. |
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A panel discussion of prominent women leaders of the asphalt industry was held at the Fall Asphalt Pavement Conference in Sacramento in 2018. |
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Each week we highlight a word, acronym or other term commonly used in the asphalt pavement industry in California.
AASHTO: The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. An organization of highway engineers from the 50 states that develops guides and standards.
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Paving Pointer of the Week |
Each week we highlight a key point or best practice of interest to asphalt paving crews, inspectors and others working in the field. We welcome suggestions. More tips can be found in our "Asphalt Parking Lot Construction Checklist" HERE. Information on the CalAPA "Quality Paving Certificate" program is HERE.
COMPACTION: Check pavement temperature before compaction begins. Don't rely solely on an infrared temperature gauge. Have a probe thermometer on hand to check the internal temperature of the mat. The ability to achieve proper compaction requires a mat temperature of 175 degrees or greater. Do not let roller operators park equipment on the fresh mat while compaction is ongoing.
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Each week we highlight a term that is specific to climate-change issues related to the asphalt pavement industry. This feature is intended to raise awareness of the asphalt industry's climate-change initiatives and the specialized terminology that goes with them. More information on the "Road Forward" asphalt industry climate initiative can be found HERE.
CARBON EMISSIONS: Carbon substances released into the atmosphere.
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"Trust in dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity."
-- Khalil Gibran
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CALAPA CALENDAR:
View all CalAPA events HERE.
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Welcome back!
"Day at the Races" at Del Mar Race Track, Del Mar
Saturday, July 23
Details and registration HERE.
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Coming Soon:
Webinars on the future of powering asphalt plants and fleets. Contact Russell Snyder at (916) 791-5044 for details. Registration opens soon.
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Save the Dates!
Fall Asphalt Pavement Conference
Oct. 27-28, 2022
Hilton Sacramento Arden West Hotel, 2200 Harvard Street, Sacramento.
For exhibitor and sponsor information, contact Sophie You at (916) 791-5044.
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There's never been a better time to join the California Asphalt Pavement Association! Members receive insight and advanced notice on critical issues that impact every company's bottom line. CalAPA members also receive invitations to exclusive member-only events, in-depth "Member Alerts," our comprehensive asphalt market forecast for California, discounts and industry-specific networking opportunities not available anywhere else. CalAPA's new searchable on-line membership directory helps connect potential customers with member companies. Click HERE to download our Member Service brochure. Click HERE to view Vol. 1 of recent testimonials. Not convinced? Click HERE to view Vol. 2 of recent testimonials. Click HERE to send us an e-mail inquiry, or contact Russell Snyder with CalAPA at (916) 791-5044. |
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We hope you enjoy CalAPA's Asphalt Insider newsletter. We are committed to providing you with the most up-to-date information on technical issues, regulation, news, analysis, events and trends in California that is of interest to the asphalt pavement industry and our various agency partners. Click HERE to contact us with any comments or suggestions.
Sincerely,
Russell W. Snyder, CAE
Executive Director
California Asphalt Pavement Association (CalAPA)®
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The "Asphalt Insider" is an official publication of the California Asphalt Pavement Association. For more information or to inquire about membership, call (916) 791-5044, or click HERE to contact us. Copyright © 2022 California Asphalt Pavement Association -- All Rights Reserved. The CalAPA name (No. 5,621,794) and logo (No. 5,621,795) are registered trademarks with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.
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P.O. Box 981300, West Sacramento, CA 95798
1550 Harbor Blvd., Suite 211, West Sacramento, CA 95691
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