I would like to thank AAPA for the opportunity to serve as the Chairman of the Board. It is an honor to serve. As I have gone around the state to meet all the asphalt contractors and ARDOT employees, I have gotten to see the positive impact of this collaborative effort on our roadways. We are in a great place here in Arkansas. We have new leadership with Jared Wiley taking over as the Director of ARDOT. We as contractors have the great opportunity to grow our relationship with ARDOT and improve each year.
We had our Annual Convention in Branson, MO this year with a great turnout. Thanks to everyone that came out for the golf tournament and cave tour. The weather held off, and it was fun. As always, thanks to Park, Lisa, and Kathryn for their hard work getting the event set up. They do a fantastic job. Finally, thank you to our sponsors and to those who donated items for the auction. It turned out great.
“We as contractors have the great opportunity to grow our relationship with ARDOT and improve each year.”
This paving season has started slow. The weather has been a challenge, but with the hotter, drier months ahead, we will be able to get the job done for the great state of Arkansas. Remember to stay safe and keep the public safe as well. We will give them another year of quality paving.
Thanks,
Bobby Kennedy
AAPA Chairman & President of CK Asphalt
AGC Safety Classes
Now Available in Spanish
Safety Specialist Alma Esparza of TEXO
The Construction Association is coming to AGC Arkansas in June to teach the following courses for our members:
OSHA 10: June 23 & June 24 | 8am - 4:30pm
$125 for Members, $200 for Non-Members - INCLUDES LUNCH
CONFINED SPACE: June 25 | 8am - 1pm
$175 for Members, $250 for Non Members
TRENCHING & EXCAVATION: June 26 | 8am - 1pm
$175 for Members, $250 for Non Members
Classes include all materials. Space is limited. RSVP by June 16 to mskinner@agcar.net.
Redstone Construction Group
Bobby Kennedy
2nd Quarter 2025 Contents
Cindy Williams Time Striping
Lane Loper Asphalt & Fuel Supply
Brandon Finn Past Chairman Emery Sapp & Sons
D.B. Hill, III AGC Representative
Max Mathis Sec/Treas & NAPA Rep Blackstone Construction
Murry Cline APAC-Central, Inc.
Vince Tate Martin Marietta
Brad Marotti Delta Asphalt of Arkansas
Denis Guillette Vice Chairman Redstone Construction Group
Nick Haynes SN Contractors
Bobby Kennedy Chairman CK Asphalt
Mason Cline Emerging Leaders Chair APAC-Central, Inc.
Guy Washburn Cranford Construction
Park Estes inducts new board members (from left to right) – Murry Cline (APAC-Central); Max Mathis (Blackstone); Guy Washburn (Cranford); Lane Loper (AFS); Cindy Williams (Time Striping); Vince Tate (Martin Marietta); and Denis Guillette (Redstone)
The AAPA 2025/2026 Board of Directors
Dr. Andrew Braham (center) with the University of Arkansas receives AAPA’s donation toward scholarships.
Bobby Kennedy (left) of CK Asphalt is officially inducted as the 2025/2026 Chairman of AAPA.
Brandon Finn (right) of Emery Sapp receives a gift of recognition for his year as Chairman.
Thanks to all of our speakers!
Paul Tinsley (ARDOT Materials Division)
Rex Vines (ARDOT Chief Engineer – Operations)
Jared Wiley (ARDOT Director)
Brandon Finn (AAPA 2024-2025 Chairman)
Sean O’Keane (Grant Garrett Co.)
(Photo courtesy of Rusty Hubbard, ARDOT.)
(Photo courtesy of Rusty Hubbard, ARDOT.)
(Photo courtesy of Rusty Hubbard, ARDOT.)
AAPA Convention Fun
The last time the AAPA Convention was in Branson (2017), we thought we couldn’t top it – but we were wrong! This year, we had record-breaking attendance at all events, and we raised over $50,000 from our live and silent auction. The Chairman’s Reception took place at the Wine Event Room at Top of the Rock – a beautiful venue that is full of history. Eighty golfers met at Branson Hills on Wednesday, and thankfully the weather allowed them to play.
For the optional activity on Wednesday, 50 attendees returned to Top of the Rock to drive golf carts on the Lost Canyon Cave Tour and visit the museum. In spite of heavy rain, the auction on Wednesday night was a huge success. Thanks to Spencer Stillman for once again gracing us with his auctioneering skills. Thanks also to our speakers and sponsors – this event wouldn’t be possible without you!
The Wine Cellar at Top of the Rock, where we had the Chairman’s Reception.
Patio with gorgeous views outside the Wine Cellar.
We had record-breaking numbers at our optional event, the Lost Canyon Cave Tour at Top of the Rock.
Thanks to everybody who attended the auction, donated items, and bid on items!
The always fun Heads or Tails game!
2025 AAPA Convention Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Sponsors
Blackstone Construction
Capital Quarries
Ingevity
Jet Asphalt
Martin
Rogers Group
Stribling Equipment
Pavement Preservation Atlas Asphalt
Multi-Lane Highway Redstone Construction Group
Two-Lane Highway ADT Greater than 2000 Cranford Construction
Local Road/Street: Crossland Heavy Contractors (Oak & Uptown)
Airport Paving: CMS Corporation (AALZ Camp Robinson for Little Rock AFB)
Other: Emery Sapp & Sons (Porter Road Townhomes)
College at Morrilton Receives First Non-Academic Endowment
By Deborah Horn
Even in retirement, Lorie Tudor is blazing new trails. She was the first female to serve as the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) Director, and now, the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton is celebrating its first nonacademic scholarship donation, the Arkansas Asphalt Pavement Association Lorie Harris Tudor Endowment Scholarship, at her request and which was made possible in large part due to the generosity of ARDOT’s former Director.
On Tuesday, April 22, at 9:30 a.m., about 20 gathered in a conference room inside the Dr. Larry D. Davis Workforce Training Center located on UACCM’s campus to witness the signing and presentation of the $25,000 donation to college officials.
A Rough Start
Just days after Lorie Tudor took the reins at ARDOT, the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the state in March 2020. It was no longer business as usual, and with further increasing demands on her time, it was an election year, and the ½-cent sales tax was again on the ballot. This time, not as a temporary measure, but asking voters to make it permanent, and much of Tudor’s time during those first eight months was spent appealing to the voters. The tax passed that November.
As Director, she stressed safety, embraced new technologies, and reorganized ARDOT’s districts and departments. She also started the funding campaign for the Fallen Workers Memorial Monument, which will be unveiled this summer.
Tudor retired this past January, but even now, she is going where no other educational endowment gift at Morrilton has gone before.
The Arkansas Asphalt Pavement Association Lorie Harris Tudor Endowment Scholarship is the college’s first non-academic endowment. Tudor wanted the money to help those striving to succeed in the road construction industry.
Park Estes, Arkansas Asphalt Pavement Association (AAPA) Executive Director, said, “Lorie Tudor spent most of her working career at ARDOT, starting as a clerk typist, earning her engineering degree, and working her way to the top. No matter the position, she did an outstanding job. She leaves a legacy that will live on for decades to come.”
In Recognition of a Job Well Done
As a tribute to Tudor’s service to ARDOT and the state, AAPA approached her about naming a $5,000 grant in her name to the institution of her choice.
It was a no-brainer for Tudor, and she requested that the money go toward the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton’s (UACCM) nonacademic, Career-Specific Programs. Some of these certification programs are directly related to the asphalt construction industry, and one that Tudor knew well.
“I didn’t struggle with the decision. I knew immediately where it was to go,” Tudor said.
But the one-time donation wasn’t enough for Tudor, and after meeting with Jessica Allred, UACCM’s Dean of Workforce Education and Training, and discussing options, Tudor decided to add $20,000 to the original amount, bringing the total to $25,000.
“That’s the minimum amount needed for an endowment, earning about $1,000 annually, and I love the idea of the endowment continuing on and helping
students in the future,” Tudor said.
The Arkansas Asphalt Pavement Association Lorie Harris Tudor Endowment Scholarship took shape, with guidelines established on eligibility, amount, and usage. First-time, readmitted, or transfer students with a 2.00 GPA are eligible, with preference given to ARDOT and AAPA employees and those pursuing a technical or professional degree or certificate at UACCM in highway construction-related fields. Award amounts can vary depending on the student’s needs, and while non-renewable, a recipient may reapply.
The scholarship application must include one letter of reference from a current or past employer, teacher, school administrator, or minister who can attest to the applicant’s scholarly or professional success or strength of character.
The money isn’t applied to tuition but can be used by the student, filling a need.
Many of our students live in other parts of the state and have to pay out-of-pocket for local accommodations like hotel rooms, and while others only drive an hour or so to attend classes, fuel costs add up quickly, too, Allred said.
A Hand Up, Not a Handout
Tudor feels that the scholarships will say to students and others who might be considering roadconstruction related fields, “we value you.”
She continued, “We greatly need trained construction workers. It’s hard work that requires skills, and we need to change the environment, stressing that it’s valuable and important work.”
At a recent meeting with Tudor and Estes, Rex Vines, ARDOT Chief Engineer for Operations, said he wasn’t surprised at Tudor’s gift, saying, “She leads with her heart, and this gift is indicative of that.”
UACCM Chancellor Lisa Willenberg, Vice
Chancellor W. Richard Counts, and others also attended the meeting.
Willenberg said, “I’m excited…This will go a long way, and it will help cement your legacy. We will put it to good use.”
Estes said, “It’s hard to estimate the number of lives and families that this endowment will change. We are proud to have planted this educational seed, and going forward, we would love to grow the Arkansas Asphalt Pavement Association Lorie Harris Tudor Endowment Scholarship through additional gifts such as Lorie’s.”
Cutting-Edge Education
Tudor was already familiar with many of the programs offered at UACCM because of a Transportation-Related Research & Workforce Development Grant Program (TRRWDGP) funded by ARDOT.
In 2023, the college was awarded $300,000 for the Entry-Level Heavy Equipment Operator Training for Highway Construction program. The funds were used for registration fees, materials, equipment rentals, fuel, and instructor pay, and the training costs for up to 120 students.
The next year, they were awarded $207,000 for the Entry-Level Commercial Driver Training Program for up to 60 students, and this year, they were awarded $288,000 for Level Three Heavy Equipment Operations-Asphalt Division for up to 96 students.
To date, ARDOT has awarded $795,000 to UACCM for these programs.
Allred said that many can be completed in 80 hours at minimal or no cost to the students or their employer. It was designed through discussions with
AAPA, ARDOT, and several local construction-related partners.
There is no state funding for programs such as these, Allred said.
According to the college, the “University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton’s (UACCM) Division of Workforce Education and Training has successfully been offering a wide variety of short-term training programs.”
Counts said about the TRRWDGP, “The transformation has been huge. It’s proving a real return on your investment.”
Email office@arasphalt.com for more information about applying for the Arkansas Asphalt Pavement Association Lorie Harris Tudor Endowment Scholarship or to make a donation.
ARDOT is Serious about Safety, Encourages Teens to get Street Smart
By Deborah Horn
The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) encourages the state’s students to get Street Smart. Starting this fall, grades six through eight will have the chance.
Jared Wiley, ARDOT Director, said, “ARDOT is serious about improving roadway safety. The primary theme for us during the recent (2025) Legislative Session was improved safety for roadway workers and the traveling public.”
One piece of legislation requires the inclusion of work zone safety questions on the Arkansas Driver’s License study material and test.
“We were successful in that regard with several key pieces of legislation that have been signed by Gov. Sarah Sanders,” Wiley said. “The goal is to educate the next generation about work zone safety before they get behind the wheel.”
And ARDOT’s new Street Smart is designed to do just that.
available to all middle school teachers through a variety of ways, including our (ARDOT) website.”
The program’s funding, about $500,000, comes from the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). Parker added, “It provides funding for projects aimed at reducing fatal and serious injury crashes. Future plans are to expand the curriculum, offering it to grade five and grades nine through 12.”
ARDOT’s Street Smart was inspired by the Georgia Department of Transportation’s student safety program. Parker said, “When our former (ARDOT) Director Lorie Tudor became aware of it, she asked us to look into it.”
“We are collaborating with the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) to develop a curriculum for K-12 students to better educate them on the importance of roadway safety. The curriculum will touch on a variety of topics, ranging from safely crossing the street to the dangers of distracted driving. We know that Street Smart will improve safety for our young people, and are looking forward to its launch,” Wiley said.
Reaching Students Early
Street Smart is being developed specifically for Arkansas’s schools by a small team consisting of ARDOT and ADE personnel, with the Little Rock advertising agency CJRW serving as consultants.
Dave Parker, ARDOT Department of Communication Division Head, and Jessie Jones, ARDOT Chief Engineer for Pre-Construction, were instrumental in its development, along with Kelly Griffin, ADE Special Advisor.
Parker said, “The program will be available to sixth through eighth grade students. The curriculum will be
Tudor said their program warranted a closer look, and she said she was convinced of its value. That was last fall.
The term “street smarts” has long been used to reference the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to navigate daily life successfully. It’s about staying safe, staying out of trouble, and staying alive. The Street Smart program offers lessons that are critical for young teens.
Parker said Street Smart aims “to teach students of all ages how to become a better passenger, a safer pedestrian in hopes that translates into becoming a better driver one day.”
The Street Smart team is currently working on an educational video using student actors.
Value in Education
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), driver inexperience is the leading cause of teen car accidents.
It also reports that teens are more likely to be involved in a crash than any other age group, and crashes are the second leading cause of death among teenagers in the U.S.
The top five reasons for crashes include speeding, drunk driving, texting while driving, passenger distraction, and inexperience.
Women of Asphalt
2nd Quarter Update
By Katie Russell
I’m excited to introduce the new Women of Asphalt (WofA) Arkansas leadership team for 2025–2026. Courtney Quinn (Delta) will be stepping into the role of Chairwoman, and Hannah Garison (Riggs) will serve as Vice Chairwoman.
Thank you all for your incredible support over the past few years. Since launching the Arkansas chapter in 2022, we’ve grown to over 150 members statewide and have hosted or participated in more than 24 events! I am so proud of everything the Arkansas chapter has accomplished over the last three years. I’m truly excited to see what Courtney and Hannah have planned for the coming year and can’t wait to see our chapter continue to grow and thrive.
NWA Happy Hour
WofA hosted happy hour in Northwest Arkansas on Thursday, February 28th at Mojo’s Pints and Pies in Fayetteville. We had a great time hanging out and planning future events for our members in NWA. Big thanks to our APAC members for their attendance!
Women in Industry Leadership Breakfast
On Wednesday, March 5th, WofA co-sponsored the annual NAWIC Women in Industry Leadership Breakfast, held in celebration of Women in Construction (WIC) Week.
The event featured a panel of accomplished women representing a range of roles across the construction industry—including our new Vice Chairwoman, Hannah Garison. The panelists shared insights into their career journeys, strategies for managing work/ life balance and stress, the biggest challenges they’ve faced in the industry, and valuable advice for young professionals.
It was a powerful opportunity to spotlight the incredible contributions these women have made throughout their careers.
Lunch & Learn: Asphalt Paving Operations
On Wednesday, March 12th, Rogers Group Inc. hosted WofA at their Cabot Asphalt Plant for an engaging day of paving demonstrations and a plant tour. We had an incredible turnout with 40 attendees!
The event kicked off at the shop with a lunch— generously sponsored by Rogers Group—and a presentation on asphalt plant operations and paving training. Afterward, we transported the group to the plant, where attendees were split into smaller groups for a more hands-on experience.
With the asphalt plant in full operation, we had the opportunity to observe the complete production process—from asphalt being made and loaded into
haul trucks to its transport to the paving site. The live paving demonstration featured a full paving train, including a shuttle buggy, paver, and rollers. We even got a close-up look at milling operations in action.
A big thank-you to Rogers Group for sponsoring and hosting this outstanding event!
Women in STEM Conference:
On Friday, April 11th, WofA hosted an exhibitor booth at the ARDOT Women in STEM Conference in Hot Springs. The event welcomed 250 girls in grades 9–12 from across the state.
Attendees listened to a panel of women working in STEM fields, who shared their career journeys and personal stories. During breaks, students visited the exhibitor booths to learn more about the different industries represented.
At the WofA booth, we featured interactive models of an asphalt plant, paver, and roller to demonstrate the full process of asphalt production and paving. It was a great opportunity to engage with students and spark interest in careers in our field.
Many WofA members also participated through their own companies, giving us strong representation throughout the event. It was a fantastic day of connection, inspiration, and outreach!
On Tuesday, April 29th, WofA held our annual meeting during the AAPA Convention in Branson, MO. We reflected on the events of 2024–2025 and looked ahead to the exciting opportunities planned for the coming year.
During the meeting, I officially passed the Chairwoman torch to Courtney Quinn—we’re thrilled about what’s ahead under her leadership!
WofA members also actively participated in various AAPA Convention events, and we were proud to have such a strong presence throughout the conference.
Left to right: Cindy Williams (Time Striping), Mitzi Skinner (AGC), Tamara Boggs (ARDOT), Emma Stillman (CDC), Katie Russell (RGI), Megan Fuller (ARDOT), Jacie Jordan (ARDOT).
Left to right: Marla Webb (APAC), Cindy Williams (Time Striping), Vicky Woods (Ingevity), Katie Russell (RGI), Shannon Holley (APAC), Courtney Quinn (Delta), Crystal Crouse (Crouse Construction), Jennifer Carter (Delta)
Lunch & Learn: NWA Quarry Blast & Tour
On Wednesday, May 14th, APAC Central hosted WofA at their Sharps Quarry in Springdale for an exciting quarry blast event. Over 40 attendees joined us, including WofA members from both contractors and ARDOT.
The day began at the Sharps Quarry office, where APAC treated us to a delicious home-cooked lunch of burgers and fries. After lunch, we enjoyed an
informative presentation about the quarry operations and the details behind how a blast works.
Next, we loaded into vans for a driving tour of the quarry en route to the blast site viewing area. Once the area was secured and cleared, we experienced the full countdown and watched the blast firsthand.
It was an unforgettable experience for all involved. A big thank you to APAC Central for hosting such a memorable event!
AAPA Holds First s ummit Focusing on P A rtners H i P s A nd sAF ety
By Deborah Horn
For the first time in recent history, the Arkansas Asphalt Pavement Association’s (AAPA) annual twoday January Quality Conference was canceled due to predicted winter weather. A smart call, as some parts of Arkansas received as much as 15 inches of snow, while the Little Rock area reported nine inches. Instead of rescheduling the conference, AAPA offered a Partnering & Leadership Summit (PLS) two months later. It was held March 17- 18 at the Embassy Suites in Little Rock.
The evening started with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres before Monday’s 7 p.m. reception and dinner. About 300 Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) staff, AAPA members, and road construction-related industry leaders filled the Rock Island Ballroom. Rex Vines, ARDOT Chief Engineer for Operations, was the evening’s guest speaker.
Park Estes, AAPA Executive Director, opened the Summit. “Thank you for coming out. We are excited about it and look forward to further enhancing the partnerships between the industry, ARDOT, and our members. To start the evening off, we’ll hand out a few awards.”
National Recognition for Road Building
As part of the Summit, the National Asphalt Pavement Association’s (NAPA) Perpetual Pavements Awards were presented.
For 2023, ARDOT earned the National Asphalt Pavement Association’s (NAPA) Perpetual Pavement By Performance Award for Ark. Hwy. 82, Section 5, running through Union County. Jet Asphalt & Rock Co. of El Dorado was the contractor, and ARDOT was the Engineers of Record.
According to NAPA, “This year’s winning projects epitomize the long-life (at least 30 years) asphalt pavements that reflect the characteristics of a Perpetual Pavement design: excellence in design, quality in construction, and value to taxpayers.”
For 2023, ARDOT earned the Perpetual Pavement by Conversion Award for Interstate 55, Section 33, in Union County. Delta Asphalt of Arkansas, Inc. of Paragould was the contractor, and Buchart-Horn, Inc. of York, Pa. was the Engineers of Record.
NAPA said, “These winning projects epitomize the long-life asphalt pavements that reflect the characteristics of a Perpetual Pavement design:
Perpetual Pavement by Performance Award –ARDOT and Jet Asphalt & Rock Co.
Perpetual Pavement by Conversion Award –ARDOT and Delta Asphalt of Arkansas
excellence in design, quality in construction, and value to taxpayers.”
For 2023, ARDOT earned NAPA’s Perpetual Pavement by Design Award for U.S. Highway 412, Sections 1 and 2, running through Benton and Washington counties. Contractors: APAC-Arkansas of Fayetteville was the contractor, and ARDOT was the Engineers of Record.
Delta Asphalt of Arkansas, Inc., which is headquartered in Paragould and part of Colas USA, received the Safety Award for Excellence in On-Site Safety. The slogan at Delta is “Safety/Our Way of Life.”
Estes said, “We place a premium on safety. Congratulations on a job well done.”
“One key indicator of quality in construction is a smooth, long-life pavement. Long-life asphalt pavements serve the community, reduce the money needed for maintenance, and conserve raw materials, ultimately leading to a truly sustainable structure that exemplifies the triple bottom line,” NAPA said.
Estes said, “We are proud of ARDOT and believe their recognition on the national stage is well deserved.”
AAPA Safety Awards
“The Arkansas Asphalt Pavement Association also recognizes Arkansas companies for their outstanding safety performances. Each year, we hand out the Safety Award for Excellence for Work Zone Safety and the Safety Award for Excellence for On-Site Safety,” Estes said.
APAC-Central, Inc., was awarded the Safety Award for Excellence in Work Zone Safety. The company, headquartered in Fayetteville, is part of CRH Americas Materials, Inc., which operates in 46 U.S. states.
According to the company, “At APAC-Central, our first guiding principle is to Make Safety our Family Business. We are a family of families. It is our goal and moral obligation to make sure our family goes home to their families at the end of each workday.”
Partnering for Safety
Following the safety awards, Vines took the stage. In addition to overseeing all of ARDOT’s engineering activities, he also assists in public and intergovernmental activities.
“I’m excited to be here and to be speaking about safety. It’s a topic that I’m passionate about, and it’s our first core value,” Vines said in his opening. “A few months ago, a group started discussing safety and how we could push it forward. One idea was that ARDOT’s 2024 Legislative agenda include safety. We all know that we operate in hazardous work environments and work with dangerous equipment, with drivers coming into our work zones. We have to do everything we can to make our work environments safer. I think by
S.A.F.E. Award in Work Zone Safety –APAC-Central
Perpetual Pavement by Design Award –ARDOT and APAC-Central
S.A.F.E. Award in On-Site Safety –Delta Asphalt of Arkansas
working together, we can identify potential hazards and correct them. We can make our jobs safer. It’s very important.”
He continued, “Because like everyone in this room, we (ARDOT) want everybody to go home safely at the end of the day.”
Collaborating Beyond Safety
“Partnerships and communication improve quality by a pooling of expertise. By working together, we can find ways to achieve a superior design. To keep projects on schedule and on budget, which keeps the taxpayers happy,” Vines said.
He added that sitting down to dinner, such as at the Summit, and getting to know each other on a personal level translated to better trust and stronger relationships when working on a project together. It allows ARDOT, designers, and contractors to talk out any bumps in the road they might encounter.
“Innovation is key to the future, and the industry needs to hear from all sides of the table going forward,” and Vines added, “I think these partnerships will pay dividends for years to come.”
Celebrating the Gold Standard
In that spirit, two ARDOT/AAPA Partnering Award gold coins were presented that evening.
Scott Beeks presented Kyle Battenfield for his work that went above and beyond what was expected.
Beeks was the Construction Manager for APAC Central on the Ark. Hwy. 16 and 112 project, also known as 040847, and worked closely with Battenfield, an ARDOT inspector, on it. Beeks was so impressed with Battenfield’s contributions to the project that he penned a letter to ARDOT.
“On behalf of APAC, we would like to formally acknowledge and express our deepest appreciation for Kyle Battenfield’s outstanding contributions and collaboration on the Hwy 16/112 (040847) project.
Kyle’s proactive approach and decision-making in the field have been instrumental in accommodating our paving schedule and assisting in the timely completion of this project. His willingness to address issues as they arise, especially during our night operations, and his consistent communication with our crews have been invaluable. Kyle’s efforts have ensured that we can continue working with minimal delays, demonstrating a commendable commitment to the project’s success.”
Even after long days and seven-day work weeks, with weekends reduced to just a few hours on Saturday night and Sunday morning, Vines added, “Kyle would be at his son’s baseball game when he was texted with a concern. He would stop by the jobsite after the game. He did that not just for APAC but every single subcontractor.”
Vines said, “It was a great project, but a hard project.” Estes said, “Scott and Kyle are good real-life examples of the role strong partnerships play in achieving successful outcomes.”
Vines also announced that from now on, those who work in the industry will also be eligible to receive a Gold Coin. In fact, that evening Estes was the first industry leader to be presented with a Gold Coin “for his long-standing dedication to the asphalt pavement construction industry,” Vines said.
After Estes was presented with the coin, he received a standing ovation. He said, “I’m at a loss for words. I’m surprised and pleased. Thank you for this great honor.”
Vines said, “Guys like this inspire a culture of continual improvement. This isn’t an award that’s given lightly. Keep up the good work.”
So far, only four gold coins have been handed out— three to ARDOT recipients and the first to someone who has made significant contributions to the industry. The three ARDOT recipients will be eligible to be named Partner of the Year, which will be announced in January 2026.
Lessons in Leadership
The Partnering and Leadership Summit started promptly at 8 a.m. on Tuesday in the Rock Island Ballroom of the Embassy Suites in Little Rock. AAPA Chairman Brandon Finn of Emery Sapp & Sons welcomed the group and introduced the morning’s presenter, Jon Harrison.
Finn said, “We’re so glad that you’re here. We have a powerful presentation for today. Jon is our guest speaker today, and I’ve heard him talk before. He has a ton of real-world experience that relates to changing the work culture in manufacturing, construction, and other areas. You’re in for a real treat.”
Harrison is a former Caterpillar Inc. executive who has traveled the world but now calls Little Rock home. He developed a program, “The VIP Way,” which was the focus of the morning’s sessions: “Genesis of The VIP Way & the Burning Platform,” “Champion Organization Values & Pride,” and “Champion Operational Excellence & Our Top 10 List for How to Communicate with Excellence.”
Lessons Learned
Harrison opened Tuesday morning with the comment, “I always start off these sessions with a couple of things. I’m not a genius. I’m not a guru. I’m not an expert,” instead, he said he learned his lessons the hard way, often by making mistakes.
He started as a financial analyst at 22 and became a Caterpillar supervisor at 28.
“I asked my boss what he expected of me, and he said, ‘Deliver the product on time and without injuries.’”
Harrison soon realized there was more to the job, including customer and employee satisfaction, and much more. He became recognized for his leadership approach, people skills, and ability to drive bottom-line results. Over the last half of his career, he was tasked with leading and transforming underperforming entities around the globe into thriving businesses.
Some of his on-the-job accomplishments include leading the revival of an underperforming facility in Melbourne, Australia, and overseeing the restructuring of a joint venture and company culture for thousands of employees in Japan. In his last assignment, he led the startup of a $180 million state-of-the-art Caterpillar manufacturing facility in North Little Rock. He left Caterpillar after about 25 years, not because he was dissatisfied, but explained, “I’m a faith-based person and I left because the Lord called me away to do something different.”
Harrison understands firsthand the necessity of a reliable, well-trained, and engaged workforce. Based on his own experiences, he developed “The VIP Way” program, which is designed to positively impact the bottom line and improve the lives of management, supervisors, and hourly employees.
“When The VIP Way is fully implemented, our clients see significant improvement in employee performance and the work environment, thus positively impacting the bottom line and the lives of their people,” Harrison said.
The Chick-fil-A Way
Harrison finished the morning by focusing on one successful American restaurant chain that followed a different path to skyrocketing success. He talked about Chick-fil-A’s philosophy of cleanliness, offering a good product, and doing a thorough job training its employees, it’s at least two weeks instead of the “here’s your apron and there’s the fryer on-the-job training method,” and offering a quality product with a smile, he could have.
“Image just goes way beyond the numbers,” Harrison said.
While in-depth training may seem counterintuitive to modern fast-food operations, the College Park, Ga.,
company now operates 3,236 restaurants in 48 states. It is one of the most profitable and fastest-growing fastfood restaurants in America.
He said Chick-fil-A is an excellent example of how outstanding leadership and engaged and satisfied employees can “greatly impact the bottom line,” and their business model can easily work for other industries such as manufacturing, construction, and more.
Park Estes, AAPA Executive Director, said, “I’d like to thank Jon Harrison for his insights into improving employee participation and job satisfaction by building a workforce of skilled and knowledgeable supervisors and managers. Ultimately, we can use his philosophy to achieve a long-term, successful business model and grow their bottom line.”
For more information about Jon Harrison’s “The VIP Way,” call 501-414-5691 or go to www.jonharrisonvip. com/.
A Final Word
Estes said in closing, “We at the Arkansas Asphalt Pavement Association hope that everyone enjoyed
our first Partnering & Leadership Summit, and we want to thank you for coming. As Rex Vines said in his presentation, forging new partnerships or strengthening old ones is key to improving our product. With that in mind, we hope you made a few friends and even learned a thing or two about the importance of creating a better workplace environment. Remember, we’re not just building roads, we’re building a legacy.”
Partnering & Leadership Summit Sponsors
D.B. Hill, III
D.B. Hill, III
Photo by Rusty Hubbard, ARDOT
AAPA/MAPA
Emerging Leaders Conference
October 20-21, 2025
Hilton Promenade, Branson
Fall BBQ Cook-Off
November 6, 2025
Judd Hill Farmers’ Market, Jonesboro
Quality Conference
January 8-9, 2026
Embassy Suites, Little Rock
Arkansas Asphalt News Quarterly Magazine
Keep up to date with the latest asphalt pavement industry news in Arkansas with the Arkansas Asphalt Pavement Association’s Quarterly digital Publication. Circulation for the AAPA quarterly magazine includes AAPA members, Arkansas Dept. of Transportation Officials, County Judges, City Officials, State Legislators, Consulting Engineers and other industry allies.
Advertising Rates
Ad space is available in the sizes listed below in full color. Placement of less than full page ads varies by quarter.
Full Page: $650 per issue
(7.50” wide X 10” tall)
Half Page: $550 per issue
(7.50” wide X 5” tall)
Third Page: $450 per issue
(2.75” wide X 10” tall)
Quarter Page: $350 per issue (3.75” wide X 5” tall)
Sixth Page: $275 per issue (5” wide X 2.5” tall)
Material Specifications
Completed ads must be press ready, 300 dpi, 150 line screen, 100% actual size, and include all embedded images and fonts. Submit ads electronically to: office@arasphalt.com
If you do not have a completed ad, we will set your ad for you for $25. Please submit your ad copy in one of the following formats: PDF, TIFF, EPS, JPG, along with any photos/logos to be included in the ad. You will receive an emailed ad proof to approve.
P.O. Box 24304
Little Rock, Arkansas 72221 (501) 219-1100 www.arasphalt.com office@arasphalt.com
Cranford Construction Company is Central Arkansas’ leading producer of quality asphalt and preferred asphalt contractor. Call today and put our team to work for you.
Greg Day, Sales: 501-416-4565 or greg.day@cranfordasphalt.com
ROADS LEAD TO WEEKEND ESCAPES.
Roads are literal and metaphorical connectors. They provide essential delivery of our daily needs – they also lead us to the things that matter most. As Americans, we depend on them for our safety and for our livelihoods. At Ergon, we are proud to work in communities across America helping build and maintain vital infrastructure that connects us all to what matters most.
