NEW NAPA-SAPA Webinar Series:
"Stretching Your Pavement Dollars"

For the featured program listed below ONLY, we are offering bargain registration for DOT and public works officials.
First in the series:

Mix Type Selection: Save Dollars with the Right Mix for the Right Job
June 24, 2009, 1 pm Eastern
Presented by Kent Hansen, PE, NAPA Director of Engineering

There are many mixes that can be used to construct asphalt pavement. General categories include dense-graded, gap-graded, and open-graded. Each mix may be used in a number of situations. Selecting the right mix will result in the most economical pavement with good performance.

You will take away:
• What mix types are appropriate for different conditions including traffic, environment, and appearance
• A procedure for selecting mixes for different layers of the pavement
• How to determine binder grades for your pavements

$85 for general attendees, $45 for NAPA members, $25 for state DOT and city/county public works officials.

Register here.

TCC Fly-In

Six members of APAI and Rich White, Director of the Iowa Limestone Producers Association spent time with the Iowa Congressional Delegation last week during the TCC Fly-In in Washington, D.C.

The call for increased highway funding was the theme and a new highway bill in 2009 was the goal. Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Jim Oberstar, told the group gathered that the House of Representatives would see the new bill in the third week of June. He also indicated that the current bill, SAFETY-LU, would run out of money sometime this summer.

All of the Iowa Congressmen met agreed upon the importance of increased infrastructure spending, but were not as sure of the funding mechanism. An increase of the federal gas tax by 18.5 cents was suggested to carry the funding for the new $450 Billion multi-year transportation bill. Most members felt the tax would be politically unpopular and that a stop-gap spending measure would carry the current bill into next year when the Senate would begin considering the new highway bill. A grass roots effort by APAI membership supporting an increase to the gas tax will be necessary in the future.

A special thank you to Rich White for lining up the appointments and to Gary Johnson, Brad Henningsen, Corky Bailey, Todd Scott and Chris Williams for attending this year’s event.

See the online gallery to see all photos from the TCC Fly-in.

APAI DAY AT THE RACES

On May 16th members of the asphalt community, family, and friends met at the Iowa Speedway in Newton for a Day at the Races. The day was brisk, but the camaraderie was warm as guests met at the Hospitality Village tent prior to the main events for an opportunity to stay out of the wind and for the hospitality that was offered.

APAI was a Pride of Iowa sponsor this year. This sponsorship gave some of members the opportunity to see the race from the Newton Club suite, to participate in a photo opportunity with the winner’s of a race, and it also let people hear about out great product over the public address system.

Although over 150 people attending this year’s events, we would appreciate any comments on how we can make this event better or what was good and should be kept, please let the APAI staff and committee members know.

See the online Gallery page for photos!

APAI Announces New Exec. Vice President

The Asphalt Paving Association announced the hiring of Bill Rosener as its new Executive Vice President following the resignation of Mike Kvach in late October.

Bill has been involved in the asphalt industry for the past 24 years, working for the LL Pelling Co., of North Liberty, IA, for the past twelve years as an estimator/project manager and director of marketing. Bill worked his way through the University of Iowa on an asphalt crew as a laborer and equipment operator and “has asphalt in his blood”.

“I’m an asphalt man”, Bill said recently, ”I believe hot-mix asphalt is the best paving material for America’s highways and I believe we have the best paving crews in America right here in Iowa.”

Bill and his wife, Tania, have an 18 mo old son and plan to relocate to the Ames / DM area in the near future. You can contact Bill at apai@apai.net.

Mike Kvach Leaves the APAI after Eight Years

Mike Kvach announced his decision to leave the APAI in September after serving the association with distinction for the past eight years. Mike has taken a position as National Sales Director for Peterson, in Eugene, Oregon. Peterson, a division of Astec, manufactures and sells horizontal grinders. Mike was honored with a plaque at the Iowa County Engineers Convention on December 3rd.

Mike was a tireless promoter and marketer for the APAI and the asphalt industry as a whole. His passion for hot-mix asphalt was the fuel he used to revamp the APAI over the past eight years into a thriving energetic association that consulting engineers, county and state entities could count on for straight talk and answers.

The APAI would like to thank Mike Kvach for the past eight years of excellent service and wishes him the best in his new venture.