Asphalt Talk: Recent Episodes
Dale Williams & Rick Biermann
Asphalt Talk is a podcast hosted by leaders in the Asphalt industry, centered on the Asphalt industry.
Guests will learn about Kenny's career at MoDOT, what he likes to do outside of work and his priorities as the new State Design Engineer
Dr. Buzz Powell was hired for the newly created position of Technical Director for the Asphalt Pavement Alliance. We will learn about Dr. Powell's experience in previous jobs along with how the APA can help MAPA members.
A conversation with MAPA emerging leaders chairperson Rusty Durbin and Steph Auping from Leadership and Co. Our emerging leaders committee is, again, sponsoring and presenting the personal development track at MAPA Black to Basics Spring Training. In this episode we talk with Rusty and Steph about what attendees can expect to gain from this years training.
Get more information about Spring Training at:https://moasphalt.org/events/2024-black-to-basics-spring-training/
This episode gives the audience a little background on Christian Okoye and what they can expect to hear during his keynote address at the MAPA Annual Conference.
On this episode Rick sits down with Richard Hight. Richard will be presented by the MAPA Emerging Leaders at this years Keynote presenter. Rick and Richard discuss what attendees should expect from his presentation and what makes him different than almost every keynote speaker.
In this episode, Dale Williams interviews lobbyist Noel Torpey from Husch Blackwell Strategies to discuss the impact of the 2023 legislative session on the asphalt industry in Missouri. Despite the past legislative challenges, they highlight some positive outcomes, and the allocation of the 2024 budget of $2.8 billion for the rebuilding and widening of sections of I-70 and the commitment to fund minor roads. They also discuss bills that did not pass, including tort reform and a proposal to simplify the process of getting a refund for the motor fuel tax. Overall, the interview sheds light on the political landscape and its implications for the asphalt industry in Missouri.
Dale sits down with Audrey Copeland, President and CEO of the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) as she shares about the organization and how it partners with the state associations. Audrey shares information about committees, upcoming events, organizational goals and her experience as President.
In this episode, Dale speaks with Debbie Novak, the Chairwoman of the Women of Asphalt - Missouri Branch. She talks about the mission and goals of the organization and shares how to get involved with the mentorship program. Debbie also works for Missouri Petroleum in Asphalt Purchasing as well as marketing for the Lionmark Construction Companies.
In this episode, Rick Biermann is joined by Bruce McGregor, the Public Works Director for the City of Olivette, to discuss the starting of the MAPA Municipal Roundtable meetings. They discuss where the idea for the meetings came from, and how the first couple have gone. They also discus the upcoming meeting and what MAPA is doing to help their members and owners build better roads.
Bruce is the Public Works Director for the City of Olivette, and helped MAPA launch the Municipal Roundtable meetings in the fall of 2022.
In this episode, we’re treated to a preview of Joe Fingerhut's keynote speech for our 2023 Black to Basics Spring Training. Find out a little about Joe, his varied and entertaining interests and how he got into public speaking. You can find out a little bit about Joe and how he got into public speaking. Learn more about Joe on his website, https://joefingerhut.com/.
In this episode, Rick Biermann interviews Red Clark. Red is part of a panel presentation MAPA is presenting on February 15, 2023. He is an expert in industrial and manufacturing practice improvement to lessen environmental impact. Red has been in the road construction industry since the late 1980s and is familiar with the growing political, environmental, and economic pressures to make our roadways more sustainable and perform better.
Rick and Red provide an overview of the upcoming MAPA educational event outlining the drive for increased sustainability and performance in roadways, including recycled materials like ECR. They look at who should attend the event and the information the attendees should expect to receive. If you are interested in attending the event, please register at https://moasphalt.org/events/increasing-the-sustainability-and-performance-of-roadways-through-the-use-of-recycled-materials/.
In this episode, we get to know Brian Johanning, the 2023 MAPA Board of Directors President. Dale and Brian discuss Brian’s past work experience, what motivates him and his goals for MAPA for 2023. Brian’s background in heavy civil construction, engineering management, homebuilding and land development allows him to maintain a perspective that is broad and all-encompassing. Learn more about the MAPA, its members, the Board and how to join at moasphalt.org/members.
Getting to know Brandi Baldwin, the new State Construction and Materials Engineer. Brandi talks about her role with MoDOT, and shares her background and biggest professional influences. She and Dale also dicuss her vision for construction and materials moving forward and their goals for the partnership between MAPA and MoDOT.
Dale Williams of MAPA sits down with Kyle Phillips from Herzog Contracting to review the 2022 MAPA board retreat and the goals the organization has set forth to better MAPA and the industry. The low volume road program has a big impact on the lettered roads in the state. They discuss the key legislation coming up in the 2023 session that will impact the asphalt industry.
Kyle has served as the 2022 MAPA board president and has 28 years in the asphalt industry. He's a dance dad and wouldn't change it for anything! Through MAPA, he has met many people and tackled hard issues, but those efforts are worthwhile.
In this episode of Asphalt Talk, Dale Williams of MAPA interviews Noel Torpey of Husch Blackwell as he provides a legislative outlook for the asphalt industry in Missouri. Noel is an expert on legislative issues, and a huge advocate for the asphalt industry.
Noel discusses how the 2022 election as well as how house and senate leadership will impact the asphalt industry. Funding is always a big highlight to the progress of our jobs, and Noel offers his opinion on anticipated upcoming funding decisions by the legislature. He also encourages all of us to be active constituents, and follow along with what’s happening in the state House and Senate. Noel can be reached via email at ntorpey@hbstrategies.us.