Pub. 3 2020-21 Issue 2

16 continued from page 15 The takeaway from all of the individuals who impacted the presidents was best noted by Mr. Collard when he explained that no one grows and advances in their career on their own. “We’re all a product of the people we have met and been inspired by,” he said. “A lot of the people who have made an impact in [our] career[s] have been people … met through UAPA.” WISDOM When asked about experiences impacting their careers as association leaders and what they would pass on to the next generation within the industry, the five presidents, past and present, offered a list of advice. • Mr. Ludlow suggested one needs to value people working for and with you. Be honest, he said, and live your life with integrity. Finally, he asked that you be present. Give others the gift of your attention. • Mr. Fernald said to ask questions and learn all that you can, appreciate others and give thanks. Communicate. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. And always have a plan B. • Mr. Kemp emphasized the value of hard work. He claimed that when one worked on developing skills, the passion will follow. And finally, he stated how important it is to look above and below – ask for help and be generous when helping others. • Mr. Collard explained that you cannot be afraid of hard work; be willing to put in the time. Ask questions; don’t feel bad if you have to say, “I don’t know.” And also, surround yourself with good people. • Mr. Watson said first: have honor. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Next, develop the art of perspective. And lastly, learn your trade and always be on the lookout for knowledge. ADVANTAGES When discussing the benefits of UAPA membership, our past presidents had various opinions and considerations. However, they were unanimous on one subject: unification. As outlined in the Mission Statement, having a unified voice is vital. As Mr. Collard said, being unified has “helped raise the standard within the field.” Mr. Fernald agrees, stating the industry has a lot of moving parts and “being on the same page as an industry is very important.” Going beyond discussions of being a unified force, Mr. Kemp offered his thoughts. He stated that if you are not a member of UAPA or are a member but not engaged as you could be, you may be missing out on opportunities to make you and your business better. Benefits, he said, ranging from networking to educational opportunities, are all exceptional. Personally, he went on, “if you are not better today than you were yesterday, you have wasted a day.” Membership in any organization or association in your industry improves your odds of being better. Mr. Watson explained his belief that the biggest benefit is the education received, the day-to-day learning that comes from paying attention and participating. “There’s learning to be done,” he said. “It’s not about large-scale battles … UAPA is an organization of education.” And Mr. Collard added more perspective when stating that companies can collaborate more and individuals can learn from one another. “It’s not just what’s good for a few companies,” he explained. “It’s about the companies within the industry prospering … owners are reaping the benefits by receiving pavements that last longer, with better maintenance plans.” His final thought on the issue was that UAPA promotes education and best practices across the board. Membership sets a higher bar for the industry as a whole. “It’s been,” he said, “a good thing.” EDUCATION and LEARNING Although our presidents have various college degrees, formal education is not a barrier to advancement in this industry. Asphalt pavement companies care more about a desire to work and learn than they do about degrees. Hard workers can get top positions with or without formal education. And the variety of jobs offered by the asphalt pavement industry is distinguished: bid preparation, contracts administration, asphalt testing, project management, heavy machinery operation, maintenance, and advertisements, are just a few of the jobs this industry provides. Our presidents explain that in an industry as diverse as this one, the only thing holding a person back would be that person him/herself. The education and employment experience of UAPAs presidents is diverse: construction, trucking, project management, asphalt inspections, and laboratory work. This shows that a group of contrasting differing individuals can