Pave It Black: The Official Podcast of NAPA

In the season finale of Pave It Black, Richard and Brett talk with NAPA President and CEO Audrey Copeland and NAPA Chairman Jim Mitchell about The Road Forward and the asphalt pavement industry’s early efforts toward achieving net zero emissions asphalt pavements. The discussion covers a range of topics from the initial embrace of the program and industry’s goals, all the way to the continued importance for the onward push from all sectors of the industry. Listen to learn about the...

In this episode of Pave It Black, we discuss sustainability as it specifically relates to the vertical construction industry. Richard and Brett talk with Kelly Roberts of Walter P. Moore about the industry’s focus on sustainability and how great strides have been made in this area over the last decade. Listen to learn more about how performance-focused requirements and finding solutions on the local level contributes to achieving more sustainable construction.

In this episode of Pave It Black, we discuss the transition to cleaner energy and the logistics and policies that are making it possible. Richard and Brett talk with Peter C. Balash with the U.S. Department of Energy about the agency's role in meeting the national goal for cleaner energy as well as addressing the changing demand for different and cleaner energy sources. Listen to learn more about energy and opportunities that companies can explore to reduce their operation’s emissions and...

In this episode of Pave It Black, we discuss The Road Forward and the industry partnerships the program is forming. Richard and Brett talk with Will Hadeka and Bob Yaremko of Peckham Industries and Dan Staebell of Cargill about their company’s investment and dedication to The Road Forward program and the initiatives the industry has set out to achieve. Listen to learn about how the inaugural partners in The Road Forward program are looking to leverage the collaboration of the industry to...

In this episode of Pave It Black, we discuss what carbon negative products are and some innovative technologies that are being utilized in the production of asphalt mixtures. Richard and Brett talk with Peter Mazzarella and Julian Smith of Harsco Environmental about the company’s approach to innovating with asphalt pavement materials and their focus on achieving carbon emission reductions. Listen to learn about nontraditional approaches to innovate with asphalt materials and the important...

In this episode of Pave It Black, we discuss recycling and the important role that reusing asphalt pavements has when producing asphalt mixtures. Richard and Brett talk with Shane Buchanan of CRH Americas Materials about the company’s approach to recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) and its efforts to maximize mixture quality while optimizing the use of recycled materials. The conversation covers topics ranging from opportunities to further employ recycled pavements to how recycling fits into the...

In this episode of Pave It Black, we discuss Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and how environmental reporting can help asphalt producers identify opportunities to improve their operations. Richard and Brett talk with Heather Dylla and C.J. Hoy of Construction Partners Inc. and Wiregrass Construction about their perspective on EPDs and their experience working with the Emerald Eco-Label tool. During the discussion, we learn ways asphalt producers can use the EPD tool to optimize...

In this episode, Richard and Brett talk with Ashley Batson and Dean Fraley of Ingevity about the benefits of producing warm mix asphalt, ranging from reduced emissions and energy savings to mixture performance and extending a pavement's expected service life. During the discussion, learn why asphalt producers have used the technology over the last 20 years and ideas about increasing its use in the future. Sponsored by Ingevity.

In this episode of Pave It Black, we discuss pavement smoothness and the benefits of smooth asphalt pavements. Richard and Brett talk with Kevin McGhee of Virginia Department of Transportation Research Council and Tanveer Chowdhury of the Virginia Department of Transportation about how VDOT specifies smoothness for newly constructed asphalt pavements as well as how the department uses smoothness measurements to help manage their pavement network. Kevin shares how smooth pavements save road...

Richard and Brett talk trucking and the opportunities to improve the efficiency of hauling materials for asphalt paving and production operations. Brad Regner of Eurovia Altantic Coast/d.b.a. Northeast Paving talks about technologies that provide big dividends when looking to reduce emissions and ensure efficient trucking. Brad shares how Northeast Paving was able to use logistics technology to streamline operations on a project that won the 2021 Sheldon G. Hayes award.

In the Season 5 premiere of Pave It Black, Richard and Brett discuss the asphalt industry’s vision for a net zero carbon emissions future by tracing the path the Climate Stewardship Task Force took to create The Road Forward. Raven Adams of Granite Construction talks about her experience serving as one of the members of the Climate Stewardship Task Force and the areas where Granite Construction has initially focused their efforts to work toward the industry’s goals.

In this episode of Pave It Black, the season of opportunity wraps up with a discussion about government affairs and the various aspects of an asphalt business that engage with the government. Richard and Brett talk with Summer Strand of the Walbec Group about her career path into the transportation infrastructure industry and how she works within the company’s operations on topics ranging from infrastructure funding to telling the company's story.

In this episode of Pave it Black, hosts Richard Willis and Brett Williams talk with Martha Pauley of Superior Paving Corp. about human resources and the important role the department plays in securing and retaining the talented staff needed by the company. Martha shares how Superior values the face to face interaction with their team members and how they use those conversations to gauge successes as well as address opportunities for improvements. The conversation also includes highlights...

In this episode of Pave it Black, learn how accounting integrates into the many aspects of an asphalt business. Hosts Richard Willis and Brett Williams talk with Brandy Vaughn from Pike Industries about her experience and how her tasks reach into all of Pike's operations. Brandy shares how understanding different aspects of your company can make you more effective at your job and allow you to be a stronger team member. Brandy also talks about the vast learning opportunities offered in the...

In this episode of Pave it Black, we learn how technology can be put to work to help companies operate at peak performance and how these tools can help attract the next generation of employees. Hosts Richard Willis and Brett Williams talk with Bo Walters of Dunn Construction about his work experience and path into his current role of Vice President of Operations. Bo shares how Dunn Construction is integrating technology into its operations and the benefits the company has quickly realized....

In this episode of Pave It Black, we learn how project managers earn wins for the communities and agencies they are serving by delivering infrastructure projects that are on-time and on-budget. Hosts Richard Willis and Brett Williams talk with Lance Driskell of Wiregrass Construction Company about his work experience and path into the role of being a project manager. Lance shares his perspective on some of the keys to his career success along with a discussion on the many facets of managing...

In this episode of Pave It Black, we jump into the laboratory and learn how engineers work to design asphalt mixtures that will perform long into the future. Hosts Richard Willis and Brett Williams talk with Samantha Dixon of Reeves Construction about her experience researching and designing high-quality asphalt pavements for the Colas companies. Samantha shares how she works to ensure quality and also helps the companies effectively utilize recycled materials and other sustainable products.

Season 4 of Pave It Black, NAPA’s official podcast, dives into the construction field operations and the men and women constructing our roads and highways. In this episode, hosts Richard Willis and Brett Williams talk with guest Dave Beeching of Michigan Paving & Materials Company about his 39 years of experience in the asphalt industry and his career path into his current role managing field operations. Beeching discusses how rewarding leadership in asphalt can be, from being part of a team...

In this episode of Pave It Black, our season of opportunity continues with a discussion about marketing, business opportunities, and the pursuits of improving, growing, and making our businesses better and more profitable. Richard and Brett talk with Jeani Ringkob, of StoryBuilt Marketing and Consulting about her experience growing up in the asphalt industry and how that has led her into consulting with businesses on strategy and identifying opportunities within their operations.

In this episode of Pave It Black, our season of opportunity continues with a discussion about environmental compliance and how compliance officers work to protect the communities they serve. Richard and Brett talk with Bob Beyke of Milestone Contractors about his experience as the company's manager of environmental affairs and learn about his role and journey in the asphalt industry. Sponsored by Surface Tech