ActionNews

NCAT Turns 25!

The National Center for Asphalt Technology celebrated its 25th anniversary of service to the industry last week. During a special ceremony, 18 individuals were inducted into the new NCAT Wall of Honor in recognition of their dedication to fulfilling NCAT’s mission. About 100 members of the NCAT family attended the anniversary events. Wall of Honor members received individual plaques featuring a carved portrait and a short statement of their contributions to NCAT. NCAT Board of Directors chairman Dan Gallagher presented the awards along with NCAT Director Randy West. A keynote address was delivered by former NAPA chairman Charlie Potts of Heritage Construction, Indiana. Potts commented, "NCAT is a tribute to the visionary leadership of members of the asphalt paving industry who saw a need for a center dedicated to understanding the performance and quality of flexible pavement systems. Coordinated by the NAPA Research and Education Foundation, funds were raised from within the industry and a partnership was developed with Auburn University that has resulted in an asphalt technology center that has an international reputation as being one of the foremost authorities." The photo shows current NCAT chair Dan Gallagher of Gallagher Construction Corp., Illinois, with the four previous NCAT chairs. From left are Bob Thompson, Ned Bechthold, Potts, Gallagher, and Chuck Van Deusen.

The Wall of Honor inductees were Mike Acott, Ray Bass, Mac Badgett, Larry Benefield, Ned Bechthold, Don Brock, Ray Brown, Tim Docter, Jon Epps, John Gray, Ken Kandhal, Mike McCartney, Ronald Kenyon, Paul Parks, Charlie Potts, Mack Roberts, Bob Thompson, and Chuck Van Deusen. For more information and a photo of all the honorees, visit www.ncat.us. Deadline Extended for Diamond Paving Commendation

You Can Still Save $50 on Your Application for the Diamond Paving Commendation

In response to requests from Members, the early bird deadline has been extended to August 31. If your Diamond Paving application is received on or before August 31, your company will receive a $50 discount off the regular price. Applications are online, so you don’t even need a postmark! The Diamond Paving Commendation recognizes, through self-assessment, a company whose paving crews demonstrate best practices that result in excellent product quality and ensure safety. The commendation is based on three areas: training of crews, paving procedures, and compliance. Don’t let this opportunity go by – get your training completed (see below for more information on online training!) and get your Diamond Paving Commendation. Forms are on the NAPA Web site under Diamond Program.

Have You Sent in Your Nomination for the NAPA Awards Program?

NAPA’s Awards Program is in full swing. It’s time to start thinking about which NAPA award categories your company will enter. Nomination forms can be found on the NAPA Web site, www.hotmix.org. All forms are located on the main awards page under the membership menu of the Web site. The Quality in Construction awards are open to both Members as well as potential members. All other award categories, Asphalt Operations Safety Innovations, Outstanding Brochure, Community Involvement, Ecological, and Outstanding Web Site Awards, are open to NAPA Members only. All awards have a deadline of a postmark of September 23, 2011 except the Quality in Construction paving awards, which has a deadline of a postmark of October 3, 2011. The categories for the Quality in Construction awards are general paving, non-typical paving, and airports. For more information contact Tracie Christie, Associate Director of Awards and Marketing, at the NAPA office, or send an email to tchristie1@hotmix.org.

NAPA Hosts Free Webinar on Economy and Infrastructure

NAPA and other members of the Highway Materials Group will host a free webinar on Thursday, August 18 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern entitled "Failure to Act: The Economic Impact of Current Investment Trends in Surface Transportation Infrastructure." Led by Brian Pallasch of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the webinar will explain how Congress’ stalling on a new surface transportation reauthorization bill hurts the economy. It will provide details about the findings and implications of a new report on the effects of dwindling surface transportation investment on U.S. economic performance. This report was widely covered in the press and will be used to help support the need for Congress to reauthorize the Federal-aid Highway Program. Click here to register.

NAPA Urges Industry to Hold Plant and Project Tours over Summer Recess

Bring your members of Congress to your place of business! That was the message of two webinars NAPA has conducted since Congress recessed for the summer at the end of July. In the latest webinar held August 11 Jay Hansen, NAPA’s Vice President for Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, briefed attendees on the latest legislative developments and outlook for a highway reauthorization bill. The current bill and the authority to collect 14 cents in federal gas taxes will expire on Sept. 30. An excellent tool for outreach is to invite members of Congress to your plant or paving project, or simply to meet with lawmakers in their district offices before September 7 when Congress reconvenes. NAPA also briefed Lafarge’s 80 grassroots liaisons who will be hosting such visits with lawmakers over the summer recess. To view the webinar and find information on setting up the meetings and plant tours, click here.

NAPA meets with Rep. Ric Larsen to Discuss Highway Bill

NAPA’s ongoing outreach to members of Congress led to Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA) the day after Congress adjourned for the August recess. Rep. Larsen represents the Everett and Bellingham areas of Washington and is a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Hansen briefed the Congressman on the economic background of the asphalt pavement industry and discussed strategies for securing a reauthorization bill in the Congress in September. "Mr. Larsen certainly understands the issues confronting the construction industry and is a key ally in Congress for our Members," Hansen said.

Wisconsin DOT Releases Report on Rubblization with Perpetual Pavement Design

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has published a report on a study of rubblized concrete pavement with an asphalt overlay. This very thorough evaluation included structural testing, distress quantification, and a life-cycle cost analysis. For the sections analyzed, the conclusion was made that a 7.3-inch thickness of HMA over the rubblized concrete was sufficient and that LCCA showed that additional thickness was not justified. Click here to view the report.  NAPA’s publication on rubblization is IS-132, and it is available at the NAPA online store.

Wonder What Your State is Doing in SHRP-2?

The Transportation Research Board has released a new map with activities of various states related to SHRP-2. Click here to find out what your state’s involvement is, please go to .

Global Participation Expected for the 2nd International Warm-Mix Conference

Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, Poland, South Africa, Sweden, and the United Kingdom – these countries are represented among registrants and exhibitors at the 2nd International Warm-Mix Conference, Oct 11 – 13 in St. Louis. NAPA and FHWA are sponsoring the event. Check your inbox for the brochure or click here. You can also check out the downloadable schedule for all the concurrent sessions. To learn about exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities, call Nancy Lawler, Vice President of Convention and Meetings or Sandy Palacorolla, Manager of Convention and Meetings, at 888-468-6499.

Young Leaders’ Conference Coming up in November

Join the Young Leaders in New Orleans November 7 – 8 at the Ritz Carlton, New Orleans for two days of cutting-edge leadership and business management programming. For more information on this and other Young Leaders’ activities contact Sandy Palacorolla, Manager – Convention and Meetings at 888-468-6499 or sandy@hotmix.org.

Save the Date for NAPA’s 2012 Annual Meeting January 22 – 25, 2012 in Palm Desert California

Hold the dates for the next NAPA Annual Meeting January 22 – 25, 2012 at the beautiful JW Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Desert, CA. We are featuring four general sessions and six breakouts, our annual awards, event plus many new networking opportunities to connect you to the rest of the industry. Information will be coming out soon so check our Web site for further details or call Nancy Lawler, VP Convention and Meetings or Sandy Palacorolla, Manager Convention and Meetings. NAPA

Events in 2011/2012 at a Glance

Holliday Rock Co., Inc. Joins NAPA!

NAPA’s newest producer member is Holliday Rock Co. headquartered in Upland, California. The firm has been in business over seventy years and produces asphalt, aggregate and concrete. Their plants service Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. CEO John Holliday is currently serving as Chairman of the Asphalt Pavement Association of California. NAPA’s MAX Club welcomes Alan Wessel, president of Vulcan Materials-Western Division, as its latest member for securing this membership application.

Indiana Asphalt Pavement Association Has Moved

The Asphalt Pavement Association of Indiana has relocated to the following address: 5348 West Vermont St., Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46224. Their new phone number is 317-910-5493.

NAPA Membership Update Deadline Approaching Fast!

When you receive your new NAPA Membership Directory next spring, will you immediately open it to find out if your name is listed correctly? (That’s what most people do.) We do our best to keep our records accurate and up to date, but we need your help! If you are the authorized representative for your firm to NAPA and you haven’t yet updated the information we have on you, your fellow employees, and your firm, please do so now. It is important that we verify this information to serve you better. By updating your information, we are able to accurately list your firm in the 2012-2013 NAPA Membership Directory. This update is a way to ensure that you are taking full advantage of the opportunity to have NAPA information and publications sent directly to specific individuals at your company. Please log in using your unique username/password, to the Members-only portion of www.hotmix.org (upper right-hand corner) and click on the red box with the Annual Membership Update heading. From there it is an easy process to make any changes. It literally takes only a few minutes to complete. If you prefer, you may give your login information to your assistant or another person to make the changes on your behalf. Please complete your update by August 19, 2011. If you have any questions or comments or if you have forgotten your login information, contact Joanie Frykman at jfrykman@hotmix.org, or call her toll-free at 888-468-6499.

Roads & Bridges Magazine Announces Recycling Awards Program

Roads & Bridges magazine is accepting nominations for its 2011 Recycling Awards. There are four categories (cold planing, cold in-place, hot in-place and full-depth reclamation). Submissions will be judged on the cost savings involved by using the recycling process and on project challenges. To fill out a nomination form, go to the Roads & Bridges Web site and click on the Recycling Awards logo under Award Programs to find the 2011 nomination link.

Time to Update Your Diamond Status!

The Diamond Series, including the Diamond Achievement, Diamond Quality, and Diamond Paving Commendations, encourage and recognize excellence. Continuous improvement in all aspects of operations is the goal. Recognition is both national (facilitated by NAPA) and local (facilitated by state asphalt pavement associations and by companies within their own communities.) For more information on the Diamond Paving commendation, visit the NAPA Web site, www.hotmix.org and click on the Diamond Program button in the top right corner or contact Latasha Stewart, Diamond Program Assistant, in the NAPA office, 888-468-6499.

Online Training – the Easy Way to Earn the Diamond Paving Commendation

The new NAPA Diamond Paving Commendation recognizes outstanding contractors for carrying out quality practices through a well-trained, educated, and informed work force. Receiving this award indicates to your customers a commitment to operational excellence and quality practices. To help NAPA members meet these requirements in an affordable and convenient way, a new training package is now available from NAPA’s online training partner, Pavia Systems. The RoadReady Diamond package is a turn-key solution that will satisfy all 10 hours of the formal training requirements, provides built-in quizzes, and automatically records and reports training activities to meet the requirements of the Diamond Paving Commendation, all at the push of a button. To learn more about the RoadReady Diamond package, click here or access it through the NAPA store directly.

JOBS! – Opportunities for Recruitment and Job Seekers

Looking for a different way to hire experienced workers? Visit www.asphaltjobs.com and post your openings. If you haven’t tried this Web-based jobs site yet, now is the ideal time to start! Simply go to www.asphaltjobs.com, set up your company profile, and post all the jobs available within your company or browse the resumes currently online. This is a great resource for job seekers as well! New and exciting positions listed on the site include: process operator, Florida; and maintenance technician, Texas.

Diamond Achievement Renewals