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QUALITY ISSUE

ALTERNATE ROUTE Caltrans tests ‘Job Order Contracting’ as an alternate method for routine pavement maintenance projects

INSIDE: D.C. advocacy Steve Ward with PRS retires State asphalt association executives meet in Monterey

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Publisher’s Letter California shines thanks to a team effort Earlier this year in this space I wrote about an important organization that is on the front lines of elevating our industry, the State Asphalt Pavement Associations, Inc., also known as SAPA. As I wrote, this group is made up of executives from 40 state asphalt associations, including CalAPA, dedicated to promoting our product, influencing technical standards and policy, elevating the industry, and protecting us from harm. SAPA is also committed to helping each member succeed through information-sharing and professional development. I am currently serving as chairman of SAPA for 2025, and as part of those duties CalAPA was honored to be the host for the annual SAPA Summer Meeting, which took place Aug. 2-5 in Monterey. A special report on that meeting appears elsewhere in this issue. The SAPA Summer Meeting was two years in the planning, and our entire CalAPA team went above and beyond to execute it on top of their regular duties, led by our indefatigable Member Services Manager, Sophie You, and our peerless Technical Director, Brandon Milar, and assisted by our amazing Member Services Coordinator, Jackie Henry. We also owe a debt of gratitude to Keri Hoover with Construction Marketing Services/CMS Media Pros, publisher of this magazine, who helped us source many of the “welcome to California” items in our special “Swag Bag,” and also helped produce our promotional video and other event marketing materials. SAPA’s new administrative professional Keri Dumont, flawlessly attended to many of the behind-the-scenes work that contributed to the event’s success, including registration and billing. Also, we benefitted mightily from the expert assistance from Christine Carley with Helms-Briscoe, who helped us identify just the right venue within our budget. And we would be remiss if we didn’t give a shout-out to the entire staff of the Intercontinental The Clement Hotel in Monterey, who were simply superb. I am also indebted to our fantastic lineup of professional development speakers. Jim Anderson, CEO of Associations West, who focused on association governance, trends and emerging issues – providing essential “situational awareness” for any association professional. Sam Hassoun, CEO of Global Leadership Alliance and a CalAPA member, spoke eloquently about the tangible and measurable benefits of robust industry-agency partnering, which is one of the bedrock pillars of the CalAPA strategic plan. And Leila Moro, an internationally recognized management consultant, added heft and gravitas to the program with her session on negotiation skills. Finally, I’d like to thank the CalAPA Board of Directors, which supported me as I served in various SAPA leadership positions, including chairman, gave CalAPA staff the space to take on organizing the SAPA Summer Meeting, and even stepped up to sponsor the event. Special thanks also are in order for CalAPA’s Chairman, Scott Metcalf with Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions. He has seen the benefits of a strong SAPA first-hand, and his company generously sponsored the professional development portion of the SAPA program. For those of us who live and work here, we know that California is an amazing place. It was nice to show off our state to our colleagues from other states. I greatly appreciated all the heartfelt comments of appreciation extended to me and our staff from the SAPA Summer Meeting attendees. I don’t think I’ve ever been more proud of our CalAPA team and extended family of supporters. Sincerely,

Russell W. Snyder, CAE Executive Director, CalAPA 4

California Asphalt Magazine • 2025 Quality Issue

HERRMANN EQUIPMENT, INC., AND VANCE CORPORATION

Above: Vance Corporation’s new Roadtec SB3000 Shuttle Buggy in Colton paving for the County of San Bernardino. Right: Vance Corporation puts its new BOMAG CR1030W rubber-tired paver to work on a street improvement project in Temecula.

Founded in 1982, Vance Corporation is a Beaumont-based paving contractor specializing in grind-and-overlay projects and municipal roadway improvements across Southern California. Since 2021, President Derek Ritarita and Vice President Robert Erautt have led the company alongside an experienced leadership team that includes General Superintendents Omar Amaya and Lee Martinez. Under their guidance, Vance Corporation has continued to deliver high-quality city and county roadwork. Vance Corporation recently took delivery of two BOMAG CR1030W rubber-tired pavers and a Roadtec SB3000 shuttle buggy, purchased from Herrmann Equipment, and they’ve just ordered another shuttle buggy. Vance team members can’t say enough about their new equipment and Herrmann Equipment. “The BOMAG CR1030W has really taken over where track pavers used to be the go-to,” said Lee Martinez, General Superintendent at Vance Corporation. “The maneuverability and all-around versatility make it a great machine for just about any paving job.” Omar Amaya, General Superintendent, adds this about the Roadtec SB3000 shuttle buggy: “The SB3000’s triple-pitch auger keeps our mix perfectly uniform from start to finish, giving us the smooth, high-quality mats our clients expect.” Both Robert Erautt and Derek Ritarita say it’s the service and product support provided by the Herrmann Equipment team that makes the difference. “Mike Allen and Rob Pickrell both came to the jobsite for the startup of each machine to make sure everything went smoothly — you just don’t see that happen very often,” said Derek Ritarita, President, Vance Corporation. Robert Erautt, Vice President, Vance Corporation, adds, “Their support has made a real difference, and that’s why we keep going back to them to add to our fleet.” Vance Corporation and Herrmann Equipment — a partnership built for the long term.

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Contents Volume 29, Issue 5

Publisher’s Letter

With ‘Job Order Contracting,’ Caltrans aims to streamline highway maintenance work

Longtime industry leader Steve Ward with Pavement Recycling Systems to retire Page 16

Federal infrastructure funding, regulatory reform focus of Capitol Hill meetings

CalAPA hosts state asphalt association leaders from across the U.S. in Monterey

2025 CalAPA pre-golf networking Sept. 24 at Bare Knuckle Brewery in Temecula

CalAPA’s Annual Golf Tournament Delivers a Historic Hole-in-One at The Journey at Pechanga

Industry News Living legend Juan Forster feted at Southern California Contractor Dinner On the Cover: Cover illustration by Aldo Myftari, Construction Marketing Services, LLC.

THE CALIFORNIA ASPHALT PAVEMENT ASSOCIATION www.calapa.net

Page 36

2025 CalAPA Board of Directors

Scott Metcalf (Chairman)................... Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions Frank Costa (Vice Chair).................... Martin Marietta Scott Bottomley (Treasurer)............... Sully-Miller / Blue Diamond Materials Chris Gerber (Secretary).................... G3 Quality Jeff Benedict (Immediate past chair)...Valero Energy Ron Criss........................................... Hat Creek Construction Tim Denlay......................................... Knife River Chris Handley..................................... Tullis Robert Jarvis .................................... Century Paving Kevin Jeffers...................................... Albina Kody King........................................... Mercer-Fraser Pete Lambert..................................... McGuire & Hester Jeremiah Lemons.............................. CRH Phil Reader......................................... Reed Family Companies Eric Richard....................................... Reed & Graham Steve Ward......................................... Pavement Recycling Systems

HEADQUARTERS:

P.O. Box 981300 • West Sacramento • CA 95798 (Mailing Address) 1550 Harbor Blvd., Suite 120 • West Sacramento • CA 95691 • (916) 791-5044 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Russell W. Snyder, CAE, rsnyder@calapa.net TECHNICAL DIRECTOR: Brandon M. Milar, P.E., bmilar@calapa.net MEMBER SERVICES MANAGER: Sophie You, syou@calapa.net MEMBER SERVICE COORDINATOR: Jackie Henry, jhenry@calapa.net GUEST PUBLISHER: Russell W. Snyder, CAE, CalAPA PUBLISHED BY: Construction Marketing Services, LLC • (909) 772-3121 P.O. Box 892977 • Temecula • CA 92589 GRAPHIC DESIGN: Aldo Myftari CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Russell W. Snyder, CAE, CalAPA ADVERTISING SALES: Kerry Hoover, CMS, (909) 772-3121 Copyright © 2025 – All Rights Reserved. No portion of this publication may be reused in any form without prior permission of the California Asphalt Pavement Association. California Asphalt is the official publication of the California Asphalt Pavement Association. This bimonthly magazine distributes to members of the California Asphalt Pavem ent Association; contractors; construction material producers; Federal, State and Local Government Officials; and others interested in asphalt pavements in California and gaining exclusive insight about the issues, trends and people that are shaping the future of the industry.

Comments? Questions? Please visit the link below or scan the QR Code. https://www.calapa.net/contact-us.html

California Asphalt Magazine • 2025 Quality Issue

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With ‘Job Order Contracting,’ Caltrans aims to streamline highway maintenance work By Russell W. Snyder

or more than a century, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has relied on a familiar model to build and improve the state highway system: Design-Bid-Build. In other words, Caltrans engineers and other professional staff develop a plan for what improvements are needed to the state highway system and other transportationrelated infrastructure, department engineers design projects to achieve those improvements, and then the department puts the projects out to bid. Ideally, in a competitive environment, there are many qualified private-sector contractors who bid on the work, with the lowest qualified bidder being awarded the job and constructing it. The Caltrans inspects, and ultimately accepts, the completed project, and of course pays the contractor for the work. Behind the orange curtain, there are many internal Caltrans processes and steps along the project development journey with an impressive alphabet soup of acronyms familiar to any Caltrans project engineer: PID, PA&ED, PS&E and RTL (These are defined at the end of this story). Although familiar, the linear nature of Design-Build-Build (DBB) can lead to lengthy timeframes to go from project conception to construction, or as one executive manager once put it, “from idea to cars driving on the road.” Those lengthy timelines can add to the 8

cost of projects, disputes between designers and builders, and breed frustration from the public. Indeed, Caltrans once had a popular brochure titled, “Why does it take so long?” Pressure to innovate, and move projects through to completion faster, have come from all quarters. This has led to the rise of “alternate delivery,” a broad umbrella that covers many different ways projects can get built. Sometimes called Alternative Project Delivery Methods (APDMs), they are promoted as a way to improve speed, collaboration, innovation, accountability and cost efficiency. A few of the more common types of APDMs, typically used for complex projects, are: • Design-Build, where the same company designs the project and builds it. • Construction Manager/ General Contractor (CMCG), sometimes called Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR). This is where the agency hires a construction manager early in the design to provide input, with a later guaranteed maximum price for construction. • Progressive design-Build (PDB). In this case, which is a variation of design-build, a designer-builder is picked based on qualifications and works collaboratively with the

project owner to develop the design before establishing final pricing. • Design-Build-Finance (DBF). This has been used in some toll-road projects. It involves a private-sector firm that designs, builds and finances the project. Under this scenario, the public agency repays the cost over time through toll revenues. • Design-Build-FinanceOperate-Maintain (DBFOM). As its name suggests, this full public-private partnership (P3) model is characterized by a private consortium that designs, builds, finances, operates and maintains a project over a long-term concession period, commonly 25-35 years. A pioneering example of this is the 91 Express Lanes in Southern California, originally opened in 1995 and operated by the California Private Transportation Company before eventually being bought out by the Orange County Transportation Authority in 2003, although it is still privately managed under contract.

California Asphalt Magazine • 2025 Quality Issue

• Job Order Contracting (JOC). A method to use pre-priced work for smaller, repetitive work, such as maintenance activities. Alternative Delivery is not without controversy, particularly between unions that represent civil service engineers, and the private sector. The concept has been the subject of litigation and also bills in the Legislature, which have limited the utilization of APDMs in California, particularly by Caltrans. Still, the “Why does it take so long?” drumbeat continues, and APDMs continue to be used, particularly for complex projects. This has led to a more accepting environment for different types of project delivery depending on the circumstances. For this reason, P3s, shorthand for some of these methods (PublicPrivate Partnerships) is another term that is becoming common in project-delivery vernacular. The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) California, which represents more than 400 engineering firms and 21 regional chapters in the state and has often been at the forefront of promoting innovative contract delivery methods, recently framed the issue this way: “From JOC to P3s to Progressive Design-Build, alternative delivery methods offer public agencies more flexibility and opportunity to bring in the best, most qualified expertise tailored to their particular needs,” ACEC California Executive Director Tyler Munzing told California Asphalt magazine. “The greater their flexibility, the greater their chance to deliver projects on time and within budget.” The main union that represents civil service engineers, Professional Engineers in California Government (PECG), which represents more than 15,000 engineers employed by Caltrans and other state agencies, declined to comment when contacted by California Asphalt magazine for this story.

From JOC to P3s to Progressive Design-Build, alternative delivery methods offer public agencies more flexibility and opportunity to bring in the best, most qualified expertise tailored to their particular needs. The greater their flexibility, the greater their chance to deliver projects on time and within budget.” Tyler Munzing, executive director, American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), California.

A relatively new entrant in the “alternate delivery” universe at Caltrans is the “Job Order Contracting” option, a method using pre-priced work orders for smaller repair, renovation or maintenance projects. This is the method of most interest to the asphalt pavement industry in California as it has only recently been implemented for Caltrans HM1 projects, so named because they fall under the “Highway Maintenance 1” bucket of funding that is reserved for maintenance projects that are beyond the typical minor repairs done by Caltrans maintenance personnel. JOC is often touted as particularly well suited for non-complex, commonly encountered and repetitive tasks that are typical of highway maintenance activities. It should be noted that no new funding is allocated to JOC projects – they are paid for from the existing HM fund, which is largely from fuel taxes Californians pay at the pump, supplemented in some cases from local sales tax measures and other sources. Legislation that authorized Caltrans to utilize the JOC delivery process was Senate Bill 146, authored in 2023 by state Sen. Lena Gonzalez, D-Long Beach. It built on earlier JOC implementations for so-called Broad Band-Middle Mile projects being built on the state right-of-way (SB156 of 2021) and also the Clean California beautification work (Assembly Bill 149 of 2021). SB146 specifically targeted certain highway

California Asphalt Magazine • 2025 Quality Issue

maintenance activities, such as slab replacement, pavement overlays, too large to be done by Caltrans maintenance personnel. Given the novel approach to using JOC, the legislation sunsets on Dec. 31, 2033, unless it is extended by legislation. The existing law requires annual evaluations, to determine its effectiveness. “California’s extensive infrastructure network and nationleading climate, mobility, and safety goals require innovative methods to deliver projects faster and cheaper, but traditional procurement processes often result in delays and increased costs for even basic highway maintenance,” Gonzalez told California Asphalt magazine recently. “SB 146, part of Governor’s Newsom’s 2023 Infrastructure Package, authorized a variety of new procurement methods for Caltrans, including job order contracting. California school districts have experienced the benefits of job order contracting for years, now Caltrans can also pursue this process that streamlines procurement, creating more goodpaying jobs, speeding project delivery, and reducing costs. This policy, which is in the early stages of implementation, is an opportunity for California to save taxpayer dollars while making our highway system safer.” Since the JOC procurement process is, as Gonzalez noted, in the early stages of implementation, official evaluation has not yet been 9

SB 146 … authorized a variety of new procurement methods for Caltrans, including job order contracting. California school districts have experienced the benefits of job order contracting for years, now Caltrans can also pursue this process that streamlines procurement, creating more goodpaying jobs, speeding project delivery, and reducing costs.” State Sen. Lena Gonzalez, D-Long Beach.

completed. A 2025 JOC annual report on the Caltrans website, therefore, is sparse. The report states: “Job Order Contracting process is ideal for projects that involve noncomplex, commonly encountered and repetitive tasks with a welldefined scope. At the time of this reporting, Caltrans is unable to provide a recommendation because no Job Order Contract projects have been completed. However, Caltrans will continue to utilize Job Order Contracting for projects that are defined in the statute.” Although SB146 rocketed through the Legislature with little opposition, the JOC concept is not without some controversy. Public sector unions, in particular, have been cool to alternate-delivery procurement, which is why Caltrans is limited in how many projects may be done using APDMs. The construction industry, particularly smaller firms, have expressed concern that the JOC may result in fewer contracts going to larger firms, with less transparency. Then there is the issue of cost control. The JOC utilizes a Master Agreement, and a Stipulated Unit Price (SUP) that contractors reference when work orders are issued. Stipulated unit price is the result of contractor applying adjustment factor to the engineer’s fixed unit price. Since labor, trucking and material costs are constantly changing, particularly asphalt prices, the SUP many not reflect the actual true cost to 10

deliver the work if the construction is delayed. Others worry that as more JOC contracts are issued, the many work orders could overwhelm managers, leading to reduced quality or scope creep. Arshad Iqbal, the office chief of the newly created Caltrans Office of Pavement Recycling & Job Order Contracting within the Division of Maintenance, said Caltrans is in the early stages of implementing JOC, these issues have not been a problem for the JOC projects executed so far. As for the adjustment-factor issue, he says prices should not be an issue “as we are using contractors bid cost and they get a 4% price escalation a year after.” Although JOCs have been around for years, and have been utilized in other states and in California by school districts and other local agencies, the relatively new use of JOCs by Caltrans still requires an educational component to help contractors and suppliers understand what JOCs are and are not. In the broadest terms, they sit somewhere between traditional Design-Bid-Build and emergency “force account” work, where the Department taps qualified contractors to perform emergency work, often storm or earthquake repairs, on an “A plus B” basis, or “time and materials” with some overhead built in. Some of the most famous reconstruction projects done in the state’s history, including the 1994 Northridge Earthquake

freeway reconstruction, was done with emergency force-account work and completed with breathtaking speed. With the JOC, the first main phase is Invitation for Bid (IFB), where the department solicits qualified contractors to apply to do the work. The second major component is the “Master Agreement,” that defines the scope of work and includes Stipulated Unit Prices (SUP). After a Master Agreement is executed, the department issues Work Orders (WO) for individual aspects of maintenance work within the JOC time frame and within budget. Much like a regular construction contract, Caltrans must inspect and accept the work that is called for in the Work Orders before payment is issued. What makes JOCs more nimble is that they eliminate the need to conduct a full procurement cycle for each individual project, reducing administrative time, advertising costs and bidpreparation expenses. The idea is Work Orders can be issued more quickly, leading to faster mobilization and completion of the work. Former Caltrans Deputy Director Steve Takigawa, a frequent attendee at CalAPA events, was a champion of innovative contracting in general and JOCs in particular, but his campaign a decade ago to utilize JOCs failed to gain traction. But in recent years, however, with the JOCs used for the Broadband-Middle Mile work on the state’s right-of-way, and Clean California beautification efforts, resistance to JOCs have fallen away. Belinda Hon is the chief of the Caltrans Office of Innovative Design and Delivery, and she helped shape the 2023 SB 146 legislation, in consultation with numerous stakeholders, that authorized Caltrans to try out the JOC concept on certain HM work for 10 years. [ Continued on page 12 ]

California Asphalt Magazine • 2025 Quality Issue

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As we were delivering the Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative and Clean California projects using JOC, we thought that maybe it would be useful for some HM (Highway Maintenance) work to utilize Job Order Contracting. I think it is useful. It gives us flexibility to deliver quickly for repetitive work.” Belinda Hon, Chief, Caltrans Office of Innovative Design & Delivery.

She says that the department’s experience with Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative and “Clean California” highway beautification, both of which utilized JOC, helped the department gain experience with the concept and practical considerations in how it is used. The experience of other states was studied as well. “As we were delivering the Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative and Clean California projects using JOC, we thought that maybe it would be useful for some HM work to utilize Job Order Contracting,” she said. “I think it is useful. It gives us flexibility to deliver quickly for repetitive work.” She also said the JOCs reduce the risk profile for contractors, and can make projects smaller and more accessible to smaller firms, which is another plus. Contractors contacted by California Asphalt magazine say it is still too early to determine if the Caltrans Job Order Contracting will meet all its stated objectives, although they note similar processes have been used in local governments, including for Los Angeles World Airports, and in other states, such as Arizona. The Los Angeles airport work, in particular, was touted earlier this year as a way to accelerate up to $5 billion in airport work in advance of the city hosting the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics. The city program is known as MATOC, or Multiple Award Task Order Contract. 12

In an April 24 announcement, the city said latest five-year MATOC will include 51 contracts with a pre-qualified pool of 31 contractors “ensuring a faster award process for contracts, expediting construction projects.” Of the 31 contractors, city officials said, 13 will be first-time prime contractors which will expand opportunity to local small, medium and large firms. Clint Myers, president of Myers & Sons Construction, based in Pico Rivera, said his company has pursued potential MATOCs work but has not performed any projects under the system yet. His company was awarded one of the first Caltrans JOC projects for Caltrans District 11 (San Diego area), a $4.7 million bridge deck preservation project on the 880 Freeway, and encountered no major problems. “In our one project, I felt the JOC was a little too prescriptive,” he said, adding that he expected Caltrans will work out the kinks with the process as more projects are completed, and more feedback is received from contractors. Indeed, as the 2025 Caltrans JOC evaluation report states, “At the time of this reporting, Caltrans is unable to provide a recommendation because no Job Order Contract projects have been completed.” In the meantime, plenty of eyes will be on the new way of doing Caltrans work to see if, in fact, it results in a more efficient way to complete highway maintenance work. CA

CALTRANS PROJECT DELIVERY TERMINOLOGY: PID: Project Initiation Document. This report basically describes a proposed project and its justification. PA&ED: Project Approval and Environmental Document. This report includes all the various approvals, including an environmental review, that is required for a project to proceed. It includes detailed studies and alternatives, environmental impact, and mitigation measures. PS&E: Plans, Specifications and Estimates. This is the voluminous document that is presented to potential bidders for a project so that can understand in detail what is proposed to be built, including design documents, quantities and other information. RTL: Ready to List. This is when all project related documents are completed, funding is identified and approved, and the project is ready to be advertised to prospective bidders.

Russell W. Snyder, CAE, is executive director of the California Asphalt Pavement Association (CalAPA).

REFERENCE: The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Innovative Contracting Techniques web page of resources is here: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/design/ innovative-contracting The Caltrans Job Order Contracting web page of resources is here: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/design/joborder-contracting The America Council of Consulting Engineers California Website is here: https://www.acec-ca.org/ The Professional Engineers in California Government website is here: https://pecg.org/

California Asphalt Magazine • 2025 Quality Issue

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Longtime industry leader Steve Ward with Pavement Recycling Systems to retire By Russell W. Snyder

Left: Steve Ward (far left) joins other CalAPA members in 2017 for a meeting with U.S. Rep. John Garamendi (center) at the U.S. Capitol. Pictured, from left: Ward, Brian Handshoe, Kenco Engineering; Scott Metcalf, Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions; Garamendi; John Greenwood and Don Daley Jr. California Commercial Asphalt; Len Nawrocki, Valero; and Don L. Daley III, ATP General Engineering.

teve Ward with Pavement Recycling Systems, a member of the CalAPA Board of Directors and also chairman of the CalAPA Legislative Committee, has announced his retirement effective the end of the year. Ward is a respected and influential figure in Sacramento and in Washington, D.C, advocating on behalf of industry interests. He also is a past president of the Southern California Contractors Association. “Steve has been a stalwart advocate for the asphalt industry,” said CalAPA Chairman Scott Metcalf with Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions. “He is always willing to listen to everyone’s point of view, with patience and genuine concern.” “I would also like to thank Steve’s company, PRS, for allowing him to participate in CalAPA activities, which resulted in good things for our industry,” Metcalf added. “He will be missed and always welcome at CalAPA. Congratulations on your retirement!” 16

Ward is perhaps best known for his calm demeanor and effective advocacy on behalf of industry interests. A fixture at CalAPA legislative events, he earned the trust of elected officials and staff for his encyclopedic knowledge of the construction industry borne from years working in the field. He was particularly adept at identifying obscure policy points that could either be helpful or harmful to the industry. He was a persistent champion of more funding for roads, which contributed to the passage of SB1, the $50 billion Road Repair & Accountability Act of 2017. The bill’s author, state Sen. Jim Beall, D-San Jose, and former Gov. Jerry Brown, personally commended Ward for his work helping to get the landmark bill across the finish line in Sacramento, and later to protect it at the ballot box. CalAPA’s lobbyists saw this first-hand. “Steve was an effective ambassador for the asphalt

pavement industry in all our meetings with elected officials in Sacramento,” said Jeff Sievers with Carpenter Garcia Sievers, CalAPA’s Capitol lobbyist. “His superpower was taking sometimes complex concepts and explaining them in a clear and easy-tounderstand way. That was greatly appreciated by members of the Legislature and the very influential staff and committee consultants.” Another Capitol lobbyist, Todd Bloomstine, had this to say: “While the government affairs role may not directly boost a company’s bottom line, it creates immense political and industry value through policy influence and leadership. Steve Ward masterfully embodied this at Pavement Recycling Systems, shaping legislative and Caltrans policies that advanced the industry. He chaired and participated in key industry committees, elevating his company’s profile and influence. His strategic vision and dedication set a high standard for others

California Asphalt Magazine • 2025 Quality Issue

Left: Steve Ward with Assemblyman Tri Ta, R-Westminster, at an event in Sacramento in 2023.

Below: Steve Ward joins a delegation from CalAPA at the State Capitol for a series of meetings in 2024. Pictured, from left: Gary Houston, Valero, Scott Metcalf, Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions, Ward, Scott Dmytrow, PavementACES and CalAPA’s lobbyist, Jeff Sievers with Carpenter Garcia Sievers.

Left: Steve Ward (center) attends an event in Beverly Hills in 2024 with with U.S. Rep. Mike Garcia (left) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (right).

to emulate. His career leaves a lasting legacy in the construction industry.” Ward often worked closely with Denise Cooper, president of Corona-based Cooper Engineering, who participated in meetings with Caltrans, state legislators and members of Congress in Washington. She also served as president of SCCA, and CalAPA and SCCA have collaborated on numerous initiatives over the years. “I love Steve,” she said. “I don’t think I would have been able to make it through my presidency with the SCCA without him. On many occasions he talked me off the ledge with his calm demeanor and easy-going style. His famous words to me were ‘It’s all going to be OK.’ I would call Steve my work husband because we talked so much about so many industryrelated topics. Of course, that led

to a very close friendship with him and his wife, Deana. I feel grateful to Steve for so many reasons.” In recently reflecting on his tenure at CalAPA, Ward said, “Over the past 10 years I have been actively engaged at the Board and/or Committee level of over a dozen trade associations and organizations, all with varying objectives, and this gives me a somewhat unique perspective of their value to our operations. With all having useful purpose, some stand out from my perspective. When recently asked by senior leadership at PRS where I felt PRS received the best value or ROI for our invested time and treasure, I had no problem pointing out CalAPA as a mustkeep when I retire. The CalAPA staff and consultants operate the organization with the highest standards of professionalism in

California Asphalt Magazine • 2025 Quality Issue

both the legislative and technical arenas, and even after my retirement, PRS should make every effort to remain associated with CalAPA and maintain a high level of involvement as it’s activities and activism are absolutely essential to the continued wellbeing of our employee-owners, and the asphalt industries that are the core of our businesses.” Prior to his current role at PRS as the company’s primary government-relations representative, Ward worked for the company as senior manager, area manager, estimator and a business development manager. He previously was an operator and field operations chief, and in later years used that field experience to enrich his presentations to elected officials and regulators. He is also a military veteran, serving with distinction in the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1978 to 1984. Ward also was a prominent member of the Caltrans-construction industry liaison committee, contributing sage advice and valuable perspective that was appreciated by all participants. 17

Left: Scott Metcalf with Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions (L) and Steve Ward with PRS pause in front of the U.S. Capitol during a break between meetings with members of Congress in 2017.

Right: Steve Ward meets with U.S. Rep. Young Kim in 2023.

“Steve has been an invaluable resource for me over the past several years,” said Caltrans Division of Construction Chief Ray Hopkins. “His candor and perspective on the issues facing our industry have been instrumental in shaping conversations and enabling us to improve our policies, procedures, and specifications. His insights have truly made a difference, and I know his presence will be greatly missed.” Vince Fong, a longtime member of the Legislature and noted policy wonk before being elected to Congress last year, commended Ward on numerous occasions for his leadership and expertise in delving into policy details with gusto. “Steve Ward has been a tremendous advocate for California’s asphalt and pavement industry,” Fong told California Asphalt magazine. “I am grateful for his leadership, expertise, and partnership in developing and 18

Above: Steve Ward chats with state Sen. Bob Archuleta (left) at a Sacramento event in 2023.

advancing policies that strengthen our infrastructure and improve the quality of life for Californians. Beyond his professional accomplishments, I value the lasting friendship we have built over the years. His commitment and service have made a lasting impact on our state.” Assemblyman Marc Levine, D-Marin County, also praised Ward in 2021 for his work in support legislation AB930, eventually signed into law, to minimize claims against excavation contractors. Along with his devotion to construction, Ward also demonstrated a passion for sustainability. Often during meetings with lawmakers he would point out to the window to an adjacent asphalt street to remind everyone that asphalt is 100% recyclable,

and agencies can use that asset over and over to maintain their roads. “Recycling is in our company’s name,” he would often say. Last year Ward introduced a special issue of the CalAPA magazine, California Asphalt, that spotlighted asphalt milling. “In my career,” Ward wrote, “I have been fortunate to watch the arc of this aspect of road-building and maintenance go from ‘what’s milling?’ to now something that is part of almost every paving job. As we say on the cover of this magazine, it’s ‘not the same old grind.’” CA Russell W. Snyder, CAE, is executive director of the California Asphalt Pavement Association (CalAPA).

REFERENCE: Ward, S. (2024) Publisher Letter, “California Asphalt,” Journal of the California Asphalt Pavement Association, 2024 Equipment Issue, Vol. 28, Issue 6, Page 4.

California Asphalt Magazine • 2025 Quality Issue

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LEGISLATIVE ENGAGEMENT

Federal infrastructure funding, regulatory reform focus of Capitol Hill meetings

utting through the din of Beltway politics, a determined delegation of citizen-advocates representing asphalt and other construction materials interests walked the halls of Congress, presenting a unified front on the importance of protecting and enhancing our vital transportation infrastructure. The annual “Hill Day” held on Sept. 18 represented the first salvo in the concerted effort to get Congress to pass a reauthorization of the Surface Transportation Act, a prime source of road funding, that is scheduled to expire at this time next year. The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA), the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) and the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) coordinated the event and represented a united front on transportation funding, permitting 20

reform, work-force recruitment and development, and research. More than 300 industry professionals attended meetings and other events to brief elected officials and staff on issues of importance to the industry and our agency partners. The meetings took place amid a backdrop of drama as a deeply divided Congress failed to muster enough votes in the Senate to keep the government funded past Oct. 1. Lawmakers were pressed by industry representatives on the importance of stable and secure funding for effective long-term business planning. The partial federal government shutdown eventually happened, on Oct. 1, and there appeared to be little appetite in Congress to break through the logjam. California was well-represented at the event, which underscored the state’s largest-in-the-nation

Jordan Reed with the Reed Family Companies (back to camera) listens to remarks by NAPA CEO Audrey Copeland prior to the start of the “Hill Day” meetings.

Congressional delegation of two senators and 52 members of the U.S. House of Representatives. California is expected to be in a position to deliver decisive votes should a comprehensive replacement of the bipartisan $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) that was signed into law by President Biden in 2021 be brought to the floor next year. CalAPA members pay into pooled funds to subsidize federal lobbying efforts in Washington, and many members of the

California Asphalt Magazine • 2025 Quality Issue

Members of the California industry delegation gather outside the Washington offices of Sen. Alex Padilla on Sept. 18 prior to a meeting with his staff.

U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (second from right) meets with Donald Roland with Granite, Tina McIntyre with CalPortland, Peggy Robertson with Holliday Rock and Russell Snyder with CalAPA.

Donald Roland with Granite (left) and Russell Snyder with CalAPA (right) meet with freshman Rep. Vince Fong. The Bakersfield Republican spoke at the CalAPA Annual Dinner in 2024 when he was a member of the California Legislature.

U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (center) with Donald Roland, Peggy Robertson, Russell Snyder and Tina McIntyre (L-R). The congressman was very aware of industry capabilities and issues in his Central California district.

California Congressional delegation are former members of the Legislature in Sacramento who have interacted with CalAPA and its member companies. One of the meetings was with freshman Rep. Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield, who recently won a special election to fill the seat of his former boss, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Fong is well-known to CalAPA members,

having met with CalAPA delegates numerous times when he was a Legislator in Sacramento. He also was the featured speaker at the CalAPA Annual Dinner in Los Angeles in 2022. Fong said he appreciated the contributions of the asphalt pavement industry to the economic well-being and quality of life in his home state of California, and said he looked forward to working

California Asphalt Magazine • 2025 Quality Issue

with CalAPA members and others to help shape the surface transportation act reauthorization. Longtime CalAPA Legislative Committee Chairman Steve Ward with Pavement Recycling Systems was unable to attend the “Hill Days” event, but held his own meeting with Fong in Washington earlier in the year to welcome him to his new job. CA 21

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CalAPA hosts state asphalt association leaders from across the U.S. in Monterey Special to California Asphalt magazine

Attendees at the State Asphalt State Asphalt Pavement Associations, Inc. (SAPA) Summer Meeting Aug. 2-5, 2025, Monterey, CA.

alifornia played host to the annual meeting of state asphalt pavement association executives, who shared experiences from their home states about road-funding challenges, the regulatory environment, technical changes and the rapid pace of innovation. The meeting Aug. 2-5 was hosted by CalAPA in Monterey, and featured presentations from noted experts in their field, including Associations West CEO Jim Anderson, management consultant Leila Moro and CalAPA member Sam Hassoun, CEO of Global Leadership Alliance, who shared with the group the Caltrans-industry partnering experience. The industry’s national partners also participated in the meeting, including National Asphalt Pavement Association President & CEO Audrey Copeland, and Asphalt

Institute President Reed Ryan. Both emphasized the importance of the collaboration between the individual state and national entities toward a mutual goal of elevating the industry. Representatives from the Asphalt Pavement Alliance, a joint educational and promotional effort supported by NAPA, the Asphalt Institute and state asphalt pavement associations, including CalAPA, delivered presentations on the current state of the APA’s efforts to share credible technical information to project owners to help them make informed pavement-selection decisions. Newly minted APA Executive Director Mike Skinner was making his first official appearance to the SAPA group in his new job. Skinner spoke at the CalAPA “Summit at the Summit” Executive Leadership Forum last June in Lake Tahoe to

favorable reviews. Skinner was joined in Monterey by Buzz Powell, the APA’s technical director who formerly worked for the Alabama Department of Transportation and, most recently, the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) at Auburn University. Powell was featured in a Q&A interview this magazine earlier this year. Hassoun is another familiar name in California construction circles. The former Caltrans official is a champion of industry-agency partnering, and shared some best practices from the Caltrans approach to partnering, and the clear return on investment, to association executives representing other states. It was the second time that California was the setting for the annual SAPA Summer meeting, having hosted it in 2007 in Laguna Beach in an event organized by

California Asphalt Magazine • 2025 Quality Issue

Pictured, left to right: John Hickey (OR), Kevin Burke (IL), Trenton Clark (VA), Dan Scherschligt (KS), Erich Ponti (LA), Jon Young (HI), Charlie Goodhart (PA), Bruce Barkevich (NY) and Russell Snyder (CA).

The special dinner as part of the SAPA Summer Meeting.

L-R: Trenton Clark, Harold Mullen and Brandon Milar.

Kim Schofield, Rick Johnson, Mary Robbins, Harold Mullen and Mike Brever (L-R).

Madelline Goodhart (left) and Lynn Young.

Jim St. Martin. This time around, CalAPA staff managed the event logistics as overseen by the SAPA Executive Committee. The current SAPA Officers are: Russell Snyder with CalAPA (2025 chairman); Kevin Burke with the Illinois Asphalt Pavement Association (Vice Chairman), Erich Ponti with the Louisiana Asphalt Pavement Association (Secretary), Trenton Clark with the Virgina Asphalt Association (Treasurer) and John Hickey with the Oregon Asphalt Pavement Association (Immediate Past Chairman). Bruce Barkevich with the New York Materials

SAPA Summer meeting attendees enjoy a nice meal between sessions.

L-R: David Gent, Rick and Angela Johnson, Kristine and Mike Kvach.

Association is also a member of the SAPA Executive Committee. The State Asphalt Pavement Associations, Inc. (SAPA), has been meeting since the 1960s and serves as a federation of the executives of 40 state asphalt pavement associations to share best practices and strategies to elevate the industry. SAPA Inc. is recognized as a non-profit trade association by the IRS, and SAPAs contribute to various pooled funds to support research, promotion and advocacy. While each state has unique characteristics, common themes of agency engagement and promotion

California Asphalt Magazine • 2025 Quality Issue

Ann Milar (left) and Cameron Richardson.

Jon Young (left) and Cara Mullen.

Attendees participating in a break-out session during the professional development part of the SAPA program.

of best-practices has always been a hallmark of the SAPA group. The professional development portion of the SAPA agenda this year was sponsored by Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions. Effective coordination and communication was a recurring theme during the two-day business meeting. NAPA representatives highlighted the “Hill Days” that feature representatives from the asphalt, concrete and aggregate industries meeting with lawmakers in Washington, D.C., to press for a reauthorization of the surface transportation act, a prime funding 25

Below: Jim Anderson, CEO with Associations West, delivers a talk on association management trends and board governance at the SAPA Summer Meeting in Monterey.

Above: Internationally recognized management consultant Leila Moro delivers a talk on effective negotiation techniques to the SAPA Summer Meeting in Monterey. Her presentation was highly rated by attendees.

mechanism for roads, which is due to expire next year. NAPA VP of Governmental Affairs Nile Elam shared the NAPA approach to keeping the issue of infrastructure funding at the top of the policy agenda in Congress. Richard Willis, NAPA’s Vice President of Engineering, Research & Technology, provided an overview of new and emerging research, much of it underwritten by the pooled funds, to help fill knowledge gaps and reinforce asphalt’s reputation as durable, sustainable and cost-effective. Howard Marks, NAPA’s longtime EH&S expert, provided an environmental and regulatory perspective. Ponti, the Louisiana state executive, presented a case study of a government reorganization effort underway in his state to streamline how transportation policy and projects are developed. Abbey Bryduck, the executive representing Minnesota, facilitated a lively discussion about environmental initiatives. SAPA Vice Chair Burke, representing Illinois, facilitated a discussion about legislative strategy at the state level and how it is connected to what is happening in Washington. SAPA Treasurer Clark from Virginia led a discussion on crosscutting technical issues, and Kirstin Fowler from Indiana, joined by Amy 26

Miller from Florida and Bryduck from Minnesota, shared inspiring reports on the Women of Asphalt initiative. Following the meeting one participant remarked that they appreciated “hearing the challenges other states are facing, and their solutions.” Another commented that there was “good collaboration and exchange of ideas.” Specific topics that generated a high degree of interest included those related to training, evolving specifications, and the use of Artificial Intelligence technology. In addition to the mutual-aid mission of the SAPA group, the diverse makeup of the various executives -- which includes engineers, lawyers, lobbyists and one former state legislator -- has been a deep well of talent for various technical and policy committees on the national level, including those overseen by NAPA and the Asphalt Institute. SAPA members also participate in Transportation Research Board technical committees and other entities, such as the Association of Asphalt Pavement Technologists (AAPT). Past SAPA Chair Bruce Barkevich with the New York Materials Association earned kudos for his work to keep the SAPA committee list updated, a

task he has volunteered to do for many years. The SAPA Meeting also marked the closing of some distinguished careers, which were recognized during a special dinner: Jon Young with the Hawaii Asphalt Paving Industry (HAPI), Dan Scherschligt from the Kansas Asphalt Pavement Association, and Charles Goodhart with the Pennsylvania Asphalt Pavement Association. All expressed gratitude for the fellowship offered by the SAPA group, and received a thunderous standing ovation from attendees. Making his SAPA meeting debut was newly hired HAPI Executive Director Brandon Lima. More about SAPA and its mission to elevate the industry can be found on the SAPA website. CA REFERENCE: Snyder, R. (2025) “CalAPA Summit at the Summit Executive Leadership Forum: Asphalt Leaders Gather in Lake Tahoe to Chart Industry’s Future.” California Asphalt, Journal of the California Asphalt Pavement Association, 2025 Pavement Preservation Issue (Vol. 29, Issue 3). PP 26-28. Snyder, R. (2024) “Q&A with Buzz Powell, Ph.D., P.E., Technical Director, Asphalt Pavement Alliance.” California Asphalt, Journal of the California Asphalt Pavement Association, 2024 Quality Issue (Volume 28, Issue 5), PP 8-17.

California Asphalt Magazine • 2025 Quality Issue

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2025 CalAPA pre-golf networking Sept. 24 at Bare Knuckle Brewery in Temecula C alAPA members met up at Bare Knuckle Brewery in Temecula on Sept 24 for an evening of pre-golf fun and networking. Attendees enjoyed appetizers, pizza, and locally crafted brews in the relaxed beer

garden atmosphere. Conversations flowed easily as members caught up with old friends, made new connections, and shared stories from across the asphalt industry. It was a great evening of camaraderie, laughter, and

community, setting the tone for another successful CalAPA Golf Tournament the following day. For information about future CalAPA events, contact Sophie You at (916) 791-5044 or syou@calapa.net. CA

Zach Jasperson, Astec (left), Adam Stowers, Hardy Harper, Rob Pickrell, Herrmann Equipment, and Mike Souther, Ammann.

Garrett Winkelmaier, G4 Technologies (left), Robert Jarvis, Century Paving, Matt Faraone, G4 Technologies, and Phil Reeder, Reed Family Companies.

Jackie Henry, CalAPA (left), Sophie You, CalAPA, Patsy Mascarenhas, Jen Harris, Margaret Pineda, Diversified Asphalt, Sarah Sisson-Staskus, All States Materials, and Kerry Hoover, CMS.

Chris Barry, Beach Paving (left), Robert Jarvis, Century Paving, and Steve Cota, Acrisure, at CalAPA’s pre-golf mixer.

Kevin Duong, Lind Hardware (left), Drew Pangborn, Energyby5, Kevin Jeffers, Albina Asphalt, and Zach Hoffman, Energyby5.

Russell Snyder, CalAPA (left), Sergio and Margaret Pineda, and Sophie You, CalAPA.

California Asphalt Magazine • 2025 Quality Issue

Left: CalAPA members and guests enjoyed the scenic views at The Journey Golf Course. Below: CalAPA would like to thank their golf tournament sponsors.

CalAPA’s Annual Golf Tournament Delivers a Historic Hole-in-One at The Journey at Pechanga C

alAPA members gathered on Sept. 25 for the association’s much-anticipated Annual Golf Tournament, held at the awardwinning Journey at Pechanga, a championship-caliber course. Designed to test both precision and strategy, it provided the perfect setting for an unforgettable day of golf, networking, and philanthropy. And this year, history was made. For the first time in the event’s history, a hole-in-one was recorded, an achievement by

Braden Porter of R.J. Noble Co. on the par-3, 154-yard 15th hole. “It was my first hole-in-one ever,” Porter shared, beaming as fellow golfers erupted in applause. The sold-out tournament once again benefited the California Asphalt Research & Education (CARE) Foundation, raising funds to support workforce development and technical training in the asphalt industry. In addition to the historic ace, the event featured contests, including a $10,000 hole-in-one

G3 Quality’s foursome included Griffith Company’s team included Scott Chris Gerber (left), Nick Turner, Tracy Damon (left), Victor Velasquez, Angel Rosander, and Brandon Buffalo. Cruz, and Scott Sherman.

challenge, longest drive, and “closest to the pin.” In a twist of irony, Porter’s ace came on the designated “closest to the pin” hole, earning him a perfect “0.0” on the scorecard, but not the $10,000 prize, which was stationed two holes later on No. 17. Still, his feat will be forever remembered: Braden Porter’s name will be added to a “Hole-inOne Honor Roll” plaque displayed in the clubhouse lobby, commemorating his landmark moment. CA

Sully-Miller Contracting’s team included Eddie Carrillo, Robert Contreras, Adrian Calderon, and Rolo Garcia.

California Asphalt Magazine • 2025 Quality Issue

Quinn Cat’s foursome included Troy Lunde (left), Tim Warady, Justin Usary, and Tim Maus.

Nixon-Egli Equipment’s foursome included Tyler Clyde, Matt Mendenhall, Brandon Jeter, and Oscar Espinosa.

Greg Beckner, JB Bostick (left), Lou Chessani, Craig Pico, and Brian Beckner, Prestige Paving.

Kevin Duong, Lind Hardware (left), Jared Gormly, Geocon West, Kai Parker, Geocon West, and Mike Souther, Ammann America.

Steve Chavez, C&C Transportation (left), David Pham, World Oil, Edwin Abarca, World Oil, and Tom Lavera, Martin Marietta.

Chris Barry, Beach Paving (left), Aaron Terry, Terra Pave, Robert Jarvis, Century Paving, and Steve Cota, Acrisure.

Richard Gilkey, San Joaquin Refining Austin Bons, C&C Transportation (left), Zack Forta Corporation’s group (left), Don Luna, Vulcan Materials, Katje, Granite Construction, Ben Wheeler, included Matthew McLuckie (left), Tim Reed, Vulcan Materials, and John Granite Construction and Travis Ponchetti, Alex Kotrotsisos, and Tim Chao. Wiggins, All American. Martin Marietta.

Zach Hoffman, Energyby5, Drew Pangborn, Energyby5, Kevin Jeffers, Albina Asphalt, and Hambir Chavan, Constellation Energy.

Butler Justice’s foursome; Dave Kent (left), Mike McCann, Brian Logan and Dave Matheson.

California Asphalt Magazine • 2025 Quality Issue

Pavement Recycling Systems’ group included Brendan Scott, Jimmy Sylvester, and James Wu.

Mike Prescott, Premier Paving (left), Drew Quarton, Diversified Asphalt, Jeff Prescott, and Wayne Seagraves, Premier Paving.

Sully-Miller Contracting’s second foursome included Kevin Raleigh (left), Alma Cortez, Tim McClean, United Paving, and Shon Esparza.

American Asphalt South’s foursome included Darren Cook (left), JD Kline, Jeff Petty, and Rodney Tidwell.

Garrett Winkelmaier, G4 Technologies, Matt Faraone, G4 Technologies, and Phil Reeder, Reed Family Companies.

Rick Baker, Pav-Kote, Inc. (left), Danny Baker, Pav-Kote, Inc., Chad Martindale, Diversified Asphalt and Joe Peccoral, Pav-Kote, Inc.

Pascal Mascarenhas, CRM (left), Sarah Sisson, All States Materials, Steve Marvin, Labelle Marvin, and Eric Richards, Reed & Graham.

RJ Noble’s group included Francis Garcia, Braden Porter, and Roco Costello. Braden Porter shot his first hole-in-one at the tournament.

John Hubbard, USI Insurance Services, Brandon Milar, CalAPA, and Lucas Berry, Westrux International.

Cody Erautt, Vance Corp. (left), Derek Ritarita, Vance Corp., Rob Pickrell, Herrmann Equipment, and Adam Stowers, Hardy & Harper.

Nixon-Egli Equipment’s group included Ryan Peters (left), Curtis Scholten, Gavin Singleton, and Reed Nordberg.

Sully-Miller Contracting’s third foursome included Mark Molina, John Rogers, Vince Bommarito, and Mike Patten.

Steve Hollis, San Joaquin Refining (left), Shawn Smith, Kelterite, Frank Costa, Martin Marietta, and Dan Olivera, Consultant.

California Asphalt Magazine • 2025 Quality Issue

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Living legend Juan Forster feted at Southern California Contractor Dinner

CalAPA Hall of Famer Juan Forster was the VIP of the evening.

Steve Cota, Acrisure, provides a risk-management tip on safety.

alAPA “Hall of Fame” member and living legend Juan Forster was feted at the Fall CalAPA Southern California Contractors Dinner in Pico Rivera. The sold-out event Oct. 8 at the famed Dal Rae Restaurant came on the heels of the CalAPA Board of Directors meeting at the same location. Steve Marvin with LaBelle-Marvin delivered another memorable “Technical Tidbit,” with a creative blend of whiskey analogies and asphalt mix-design air-void tips, with some restaurant economics thrown in. Steve Cota with Acrisure, focused on the importance of relevant safety programs as essential to risk-management. Several CalAPA Board members and Hall of Fame members were in attendance. But the star of the evening was Juan Forster, a former CalAPA chairman who was lauded as a tireless champion for elevating the industry, and holding our elected officials accountable. His epic grilling of Gavin Newsom at the

Steve Marvin, Labelle Marvin, delivered the evening’s “Technical Tidbit” presentation.

2014 CalAPA Annual Dinner in Los Angeles has taken on legendary status. Forster was introduced by another CalAPA Hall of Famer, Len Nawrocki, retired from Valero. Both crisscrossed career paths over many decades, and earning a mutual respect along the way. When it was his turn to speak, Forster paid a surprising tribute to his former tennis partner growing up in Southern California who had just passed away, movie star Robert Redford. He also noted his brief career at Caltrans, which was then known as the Department of Public Works, Division of Highways. He graduated from Cal State Los Angeles in 1959 with a degree in civil engineering, and worked for a time for the County of Ventura before moving on to the private sector. His first stop was the Missile City Rock Co. in Lompoc, and later worked for Local Asphalt Co. in Santa Paula. The liquid asphalt side of the industry beckoned, and he joined

Russell Snyder, CalAPA’s Executive Director caught the attendees up on Association news.

the Douglas Oil Co., a Conoco subsidiary, before leaving to form a partnership with Bob and Wally Hunt to build and operate asphalt refineries in Wilmington and, later, in Benicia. He was President and CEO of Huntway until it was sold to Valero in 1999 and he retired, although he stayed active in association events. He has been married to his wife, Carolyn, for 67 years, and the couple has three children, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren “so far.” His remarks included tributes to his many friends and colleagues in the room, the importance of family, faith and integrity. When he was done, he received a thunderous standing ovation. Forster is a member of the CalAPA “Hall of Fame,” a singular recognition for leadership and contributions to the industry in California. The next induction ceremony into the CalAPA “Hall of Fame” will take place Jan. 15, 2026 at the opulent Jonathan Club in downtown Los Angeles. CA

California Asphalt Magazine • 2025 Quality Issue

Left: CalAPA Hall of Famer Juan Forster delivers remarks.

Above: Hall of Fame inductee Len Nawrocki (right) and Juan Forster.

Aaron Terry, Terra Pave (left), Analue Barcenas, United Paving Co., Margaret Pineda, Chad Martindale, Diversified Asphalt, Tony Imfeld, Ben’s Asphalt, Mark Winn, Diversified Asphalt and Greg Hunt, Ergon Asphalt and Emulsions.

Mission Paving & Sealing’s Mike Miller (left), Doug Sweeney, and Andy Andrews.

Scott Cohen, SESPE Consulting (left), Steve Ward, PRS, Garrett Francis, PRS, Scott Fraser, PRS, Scott Damon, Griffith Company, and Raymond Alcantara, Certerra RMA.

Life Member Jim St. Martin and his wife Ann, evening honoree Juan Forster, Life Member Len Nawrocki and his wife Mayra, and Russell Snyder, CalAPA.

Brianna Trump, CTI (left), Steve Cota, Acrisure, Tom Hughes, Champion Paving, Robert Jarvis, Century Paving, Scott Metcalf, Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions, Andy Valdez, Pave West, Chris Barry, Beach Paving, Jose Valencia, Beach Paving and Brandon Milar, CalAPA.

John Rogers, Sully-Miller (left), Jeff Bliss, communications consultant and “California Asphalt” magazine contributor, John Terry, Terra Pave, Steve Marvin, Lbelle Marvin, Jackie Henry, CalAPA, Mike Miller, Doug Sweeney, and Andy Andrews, Mission Paving & Sealing.

Bret Marvin, Labelle Marvin (left), Kevin Duong, Lind Hardware, Gary Houston, Jeff Benedict, Valero, Austin Meecham-Maddon, and Lucia Riggio, SoCal JCB, Bob Humer, Consultant, and Bob Rivers, US Polyco.

California Asphalt Magazine • 2025 Quality Issue

ADVERTISER INDEX Albina Asphalt..............................................7

Nixon-Egli Equipment Co.......... Back Cover

Arcosa Crushed Concrete......................... 14

Pavement Recycling Systems................... 14

Butler Justice, Inc......................................35

Peterson CAT................................................2

Clairemont Equipment...............................34

Quinn Co.......................................................2

Coastline Equipment...................................3 Crafco.........................................................34 Diversified Asphalt Products....................27 Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions....................... 11 G3 Equipment A/C Specialists..................15

Sitech.......................................................... 13 SoCal JCB...................................................23 Standard Emulsions Co............................. 19 Sully-Miller Contracting Co.......................22 Talley Oil.....................................................33 Taylor Environmental Services.................38

Hawthorne CAT............................................2

U.S. Polyco.................................................39

Herrmann Equipment...................................5

Volvo Construction Equipment & Svcs.........22

Holt of California..........................................2

VSS Emultech.............................................29

Humboldt Mfg. Co......................................38

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www.tayloresinc.com California Asphalt Magazine • 2025 Quality Issue

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