Pub. 3 2020-21 Issue 2

17 pull together their collective abilities for the greater good and work together dynamically. But why should someone consider a career in asphalt pavement? If one were to ask one or more of the past or present presidents, they might first tell you that this industry provides higher-paying jobs than most and that workers on many asphalt projects are paid wages over $30 per hour. And job security is at the top of their list, too. Asphalt pavement jobs cannot be outsourced to other countries, and roads are built and maintained by people who live and work in the local community. There are miles and miles of roads in need of repair or replacement, and more workers are expected to retire than can be replaced in the near future. FUTURE An important sector of any association is how they look to the future, both near and not-so-near. UAPA as a whole realizes that to move forward, they must appreciate the lessons of the past. Our UAPA presidents were happy to share what they believed to be the dominant trends within the industry in the next five to ten years. “I think a lot of the focus in future years will be on specifications,” said Mr. Watson. “It has to be.” And infrastructure, he declared, certainly needs attention. Needing lasting outcomes and more value for the dollar is also important. “The infrastructure funding … being allocated is an investment,” he says, “and we need to be good stewards.” But he also warns: “We need to do better.” Mr. Ludlow, having been president in both 2012 and 2017, offered a unique perspective developed from his two years at the helm. When asked about trends for UAPA, he explained that quality and innovation would be at the forefront of the industry. Right behind that, he said, will be the expectation of quality materials. “It’s a natural evolution to get better at what we do.” Mr. Fernald stated the dominant trends would be population and, like Mr. Watson, infrastructure growth – which, he claims – we’re already seeing. As Utah is a desirable place to live and work, we’re going to need a skilled workforce to build all the infrastructure necessary for the growth and maintenance of existing roadways. “New technologies will also provide better, faster, and more efficient ways to do our work.” Mr. Kemp is hopeful that UAPA will see more collaboration as an industry on products and processes. He, like Mr. Fernald, mentions population and infrastructure as a vital part of the future, stating, “We’re going to have to get better at what we do and how we do it.” And he also brought up the issue of our oil supply and the alternatives in that area. Finally, Mr. Collard believes he, like UAPA, wants to improve and be better. He thinks we are likely to see more performance- based products in the future. As technology becomes more of a factor in our transportation, roads will need to advance too. “Infrastructure is important to our overall economy,” he says, “so it’s definitely a field that will see growth.” OBJECTIVES Over the past 10 years since the inception of UAPA, the association’s objectives have never wavered. And if one were to speak to the current – or even past – presidents, they would tell you how steadfast UAPA is in obtaining these objectives. • PROMOTE the use of asphalt as the premier material for road construction and maintenance. • EDUCATE, monitor and lobby about asphalt and its benefits to the community. • UNIFY by working as a consolidated voice with UDOT and local government agencies throughout Utah. continued on page 18 We are happy to celebrate 10 years of success, and we couldn’t have done it without you, our members. Our presidents, past and present, have set us on a path of forward momentum that will push us toward 10 more years of success and 10 more beyond that, and, well, you get the picture.