Pub. 3 2020-2021 Issue 3

24 The company really started to grow from there. Ted and Del disliked the conflict of interest between contracting and manufacturing, so they decided to focus on manufacturing. They sold the machines and supplies they’d bought for contracting to M&M Asphalt Services. Ted and Del are honest, hardworking, small-town Utah guys who never tell even the whitest of white lies. They want to do what is best for everybody, and they grew the company with handshakes and integrity. They use good, honest materials, and they listen to customers. People trust them and gravitate toward them. Company ownership stayed in the family after Ted and Del retired. Ted’s son, Ken Maxwell, is the president. Brent Maxwell, my husband, is the marketing director, and he does the website and print work. I never expected to be part of the company, but now I am our sales support manager. That includes customer service. Tom Cannon, my boss here, has nurtured my skill set and abilities. He is our sales manager, and he is a strong, supportive guy. Maxwell Products, Inc. has become a national company, and we are heavily involved in UAPA. We are represented in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, and Australia. How has the pandemic affected Maxwell Products? For us, it was business as usual, but we struggled to get the materials we needed, find trucks, and get the materials where they needed to go. Getting cardboard is still an interesting struggle, and we’ve had to deal with rising oil prices. Also, many municipalities have uncertain budgets. We kept going, dealt with supply chain issues, adapted, and provided whatever was necessary to keep the transportation infrastructure moving. I know many companies had to close, or people were furloughed. Many people working in hospitality were furloughed. COVID-19 caused problems with the construction industry’s supply chain, but it also affected workers’ mental health. Statistically speaking, next to front-line workers, the construction industry has the highest rates of depression and addiction. We saw that even more after COVID-19 caused problems with the supply chain. Nothing stopped the workers, though; they just kept going. There is a sad satisfaction in that because I know the pandemic made their problems worse. Many guys have a hard time admitting they have a problem, and they are often uncomfortable talking about it. Keri and Reed, and some of the Women of Asphalt, are very aware of this. If we can provide classes that acknowledge a problem, more people might get help. What is the biggest impact of being a UAPA member? What makes it beneficial? I could rant and rave about how much I love UAPA. It is such a great association. Every other association should take a page continued from page 23 Even though there are late-night crews, the asphalt industry also has trade shows and the Utah branch of Women of Asphalt. I am encouraged at Maxwell Products, Inc. to grow professionally and be more available for my children. out of their book. UAPA involves its members and tries to make changes that are beneficial for the state. In addition to the obvious stuff, like networking and learning, sitting on the preservation and planning committees is my favorite part. They listen to me and make me feel heard and special. Any last words? I made my big career change seven years ago, and I have never looked back. I love what I am allowed to be here. My husband and I were both married before, and we have a blended marriage with five children: Alexis and Gavin (both 19), Alec and Madison (both 16), and Devon (13). It looks like we have two sets of twins, but we don’t. We have a very busy household. Working for a hotel is hard when you have young children. There is a lot of high pressure. You would think the asphalt industry would be less friendly than the hospitality industry, but the reverse is true, and I don’t think that is limited to Maxwell Products, Inc. You can be successful at Maxwell Products, Inc. as a woman and a mother. It’s a breath of fresh air, and I would never give up what I have. The company helps me flourish. Even though there are late-night crews, the asphalt industry also has trade shows and the Utah branch of Women of Asphalt. I am encouraged at Maxwell Products, Inc. to grow professionally and be more available for my children. I don’t ever have to choose between my children and my job. If one of my children is sick, the people here do what they can to give me options, which helps me be a better mom. Also, I get to work with my handsome, amazing and supportive husband. I am an optimistic person, but I’ve had a lot of ups and downs. Everybody deals with problems, and you can always use the hard times as a crutch, but I want to work harder and be better; I want to focus on happiness. Even bad days have joy in them. 3