AN INTERVIEW WITH Doug Watson OUTGOING UAPA PRESIDENT This past year, Doug Watson has served as the UAPA President. We had the chance to sit down with him to learn more about his favorite experiences as President, the importance of membership, and what he hopes to see in the industry’s future. The following are excerpts from our conversation. How were you involved in UAPA before you became President? I became involved with UAPA about 10 years ago. I have always believed that our industry needed an organization like UAPA in order to collectively improve the working environment and to act as a bridge between the owners and the asphalt industry. Was your previous experience helpful? Absolutely, in several different areas. UAPA is an organization supporting relationship building within our industry. To our members and cities and state entities, we offer the technical support of our membership. In addition to working with the owners, we assist in creating specifications that accomplish the goals of the owner while integrating the operational perspective of the supplier. Technical and administrative knowledge is a prerequisite in order to be effective in our goals. What would have helped you be better prepared? I wish I had more time to dedicate to UAPA. My day job keeps me very busy, which makes it hard to provide the amount of time I feel this position requires. Please tell us about a memorable experience — good or bad — that took place during your tenure. Why was it memorable? Working with the members is my fondest memory — such a great group of people from every job description working to improve our industry. Event-wise, I was surprised by the pandemic’s lasting effect on our industry, and UAPA’s response illustrated the flexibility of our organization and memberships. We are all driven by a common goal of industry improvement. What are your biggest accomplishments as President? UAPA is in the final stages of adding a new position to our full-time staff: Technical Director. This person’s main focus would be to expand the technical support UAPA provides to its member organizations. This is also a first step in preparation for expanding our training and certification modules selection; this position will manage that program. 8
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