how do I upload to the CALAPA
AsphaltPro spent fourth dimension getting to know CalAPA'southward Technical Manager Brandon Milar to learn how CalAPA is assisting with workforce development and asphalt innovation in the state of California.
The California Asphalt Pavement Clan (CalAPA), West Sacramento, Calif., was outset formed in 1953. Now, the association includes 27 asphalt producers, many of whom are vertically integrated and too offer paving operations, as well as 30 paving contractors. According to CalAPA Technical Director Brandon Milar, CalAPA members represent an estimated lxxx percent of all asphalt produced and placed in California.
Milar, who has been CalAPA's Technical Manager for two years and has more than 23 years of experience in the asphalt industry, was besides the executive managing director for the Northern California Asphalt Pavement Association, which merged with California's other asphalt pavement association in 2012.
AsphaltPro spent fourth dimension getting to know Milar to learn about how CalAPA is assisting with workforce development and cobblestone innovation in the land of California.
How exercise yous work alongside your SAPA'due south executive director to promote asphalt in your country?
The technical director specializes in the technical needs of the membership/industry. The credibility of our organization relies heavily on the technical expertise we bring to behave as we advocate on behalf of the industry, so nosotros must be vigilant to remain on the cut edge of innovation, best practices and delivering the best possible value to the purchasers of our production.
At that place are many required duties to keep the organization running smoothly. Like an orchestra conductor, Russell Snyder, our executive director, ensures all of the dissimilar parts are working together to create a harmonious work of art. I see my role similar to that of the 1st chair, to assistance him in keeping my expanse of expertise functioning finer and in central. With my previous feel every bit a SAPA executive manager, I sympathise the bug that he is working on and can easily lend a manus when needed.
Practise you lot have a degree related to the industry? Would yous share a story from your college days that asphalt professionals can relate to?
I hold a Bachelor of Science in Ceremonious Engineering from California Polytechnic Land Academy at San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly).
When I look dorsum to my college curriculum, I am amazed that my career is focused on asphalt pavements. At Cal Poly, my asphalt materials education but included two weeks of a 10 week construction materials course.
Why did yous bring together the cobblestone industry?
After graduating from Cal Poly, I accepted a concrete aggregate production shift supervisor position at Kaiser Cement in Cupertino, California. A technical service position opened upward at Kaiser Sand & Gravel in Pleasanton, California. By accepting the position, I was able to expand my knowledge of aggregates and begin my understanding of asphalt pavements. I owe a debt of gratitude to my manager and mentor, Mr. Bruce Carter. He took me under his fly and exhibited the diligence and professionalism required of an engineer.
What do you see as the nigh important role of your job as a technical director of a SAPA?
Our clan focuses on sharing information related to all aspects of cobblestone materials and pavements. To accost our members' needs, I focus on understanding the technical problems and future management of our industry and how to notice the information and expertise to address these issues.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
The largest claiming that we have in California is dealing with the "silver tsunami." Nosotros are in the midst of a very big leave of extremely knowledgeable technical experts from our bureau partners.
As a result we have to find a way to work with temporary replacements or individuals that are growing their expertise. While this can wearisome the process of change, I am optimistic that many of the side by side generation of engineers have an interest in learning and are open up to new ideas and change.
This presents an enormous opportunity for our association, which has instruction at the cadre of our mission. We look forward to working with our bureau partners to make full the knowledge gap in the workforce every bit it relates to asphalt pavements.
On a scale of 1 to 5 (ane being none at all; five beingness very much), how much difficulty are your members having in finding qualified workers for their asphalt paving or production crews?
For the by nine years, we have conducted an annual survey of our newsletter subscribers (ii,600) that is comprised of members, non-members, agency personnel and others. This year, workforce problems was the No. 1 challenge identified by participants in the survey. This is true of professional person and technical positions, and particularly equally it relates to craft positions in the field.
Brandon Milar has more than than 23 years of experience in the asphalt industry. He has served as CalAPA's Technical Manager for the by 2 years.
Could you lot give an instance (or two) of a manner your country APA assists members with workforce development?
There are some impressive workforce recruitment and development activities being washed past others, so we are careful to avert duplicate efforts. We await for opportunities where we tin can leverage the work of others, and amplify it, for maximum bear upon. Ii recent examples are the national "Women of Asphalt" movement and "Project Cornerstone".
At the 2022 World of Asphalt upshot, several remarkable women leaders in our manufacture created a Women of Asphalt leadership panel discussion. With the assistance of these leaders, we included a similar console give-and-take at our Sacramento fall conference as a special evening result. Our impressive speaker lineup included our former technical director, Dr. Rita B. Leahy, and Mary Teichert, Chief Operating Officeholder for Teichert Construction, one of the about prominent construction companies in California.
Some other attempt bootstrapped by one of our members, EnviroMINE, and supported by many others, is called Project Cornerstone. It has developed interactive, hands-on curriculum and activities for schools to help youngsters understand the construction materials manufacture. This includes the many careers in science, engineering and technology that are continued to our industry. We also featured Project Cornerstone on the comprehend of our industry magazine.
In both of these examples, we are challenging our manufacture to think about how we can do a better job of telling our story, that nosotros provide a welcoming environment for people of all types and backgrounds, and that rewarding careers wait those who recognize that sometimes opportunity wears boots and a hard hat.
How do you encourage folks to get into the applied science side of the industry?
Every year we invite aspiring engineers from our local universities to nourish our technical conferences. We employed an technology student at Sacramento State Academy, Ritha Nhorn, in our office. Every twelvemonth we sponsor a graduate educatee in engineering to participate in the International Route Federation Road Scholar leadership program to Washington, D.C. We spring at every take a chance we tin to make it front of higher technology classes to expose them to cobblestone concepts. Nosotros likewise promote the excellent college professor programs conducted via the National Heart for Asphalt Applied science at Auburn University. This is a great manner for higher professors who may be teaching students about construction materials to take a well-rounded understanding of cobblestone pavements.
What courses do yous recommend a customs and/or 4-year college add to its curriculum to educate and encourage engineering or trades?
We have worked with local university engineering programs to provide a grade that focuses on the practical applications of the engineering concepts that are learned. For ane class at Chico State, we contacted diverse members from all aspects of cobblestone pavements to spend an evening in grade with the students. They provided insights into materials, recycling, structure, maintenance, and blueprint of asphalt pavements.
College curriculums need to increase the emphasis on construction materials. They should include hands-on education in the production of materials and the testing of materials.
What are the top 2 or iii means you accept increased membership in the association?
We accept found that our continuous effort to position our organization as asphalt pavement experts has resulted in an increase in membership. Nosotros take the pb on cobblestone issues and this leadership role is acknowledged past the various stakeholders. Our conferences, educational programs and electronic newsletter is attainable to anyone, and many of our new members joined after being exposed to one of our educational programs.
In what calendar month do y'all concur your almanac meeting? What other activities does the land association concur throughout the year?
Every Jan, CalAPA conducts its annual meeting at the Jonathan Club in downtown Los Angeles. This celebrated private gild founded in the late 1800s has hosted our annual meetings for many decades. It provides an incredible opportunity to interact with the industry leaders in California in an historic venue.
Every twelvemonth, CalAPA conducts a pavement conference in Ontario, in southern California, and a 2d i in Sacramento, in northern California. These 2 conferences provide an opportunity for us to share the latest information on all aspects of cobblestone.
In addition to our conferences, we provide asphalt training classes throughout California. Classes include Asphalt Pavement 101, Quality Asphalt Paving, and Essentials of Pavement Smoothness for both industry and agency personnel. Nosotros plan to add a course on cobblestone rubber in 2019.
Although we focus on technical activities, we likewise recognize the importance of networking, socializing, and fun. We host an almanac golf tournament, a Solar day at the Races during the opening weekend of thoroughbred horse racing at Del Mar, and are at present including events in conjunction with the conference (Pinnacle Golf – Roseville).
Proceeds from these events assist in addressing the resource needs of the association, which includes our almanac International Road Federation Scholarship program and pooled fund research activities with our SAPA partners.
Milar, his wife, Ann, and girl, Caroline, enjoy visiting national parks and exploring Hawaiian culture through language and hula.
Does your staff agree educational seminars or webinars for members dissever from the almanac coming together/convention(southward) throughout the year?
CalAPA hosts a series of technical courses that are held throughout California. These half-day courses embrace the basics of asphalt paving (Asphalt Pavement 101) and avant-garde pavement courses (Quality Cobblestone Paving, asphalt mix designs, pavement smoothness, etc).
CalAPA continues to evaluate the courses that are offered. New course offerings are adult based on discussions amongst the members of our Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), industry trends from beyond the land and changes to the current practices both statewide and locally.
Also, nosotros host regional technical committee meetings that provide an opportunity for local stakeholders to network and discuss current asphalt trends.
Could you share an example of a time when your land APA hosted elected officials to educate them on the need for highway funding, asphalt materials, construction workforce development, etc.?
CalAPA encourages our members to set upwards found tours for our elected officials. This is becoming a common occurrence throughout California. But this of import activity is not limited to elected officials. We likewise assist with plant tours for the various agency/public works personnel from both technical and environmental efforts.
Last yr, nosotros worked with our fellow member company Granite Structure to coordinate a constitute tour for a large group of Caltrans engineers. The tour showed the engineers the entire procedure from aggregate extraction in the quarry to the production of HMA at the establish. We also facilitated a bout of a Teichert plant for a grouping of environmental regulators. Nosotros are also working with our partners in San Diego to highlight the procedure our manufacture uses to process millings from paving projects into RAP for use in HMA production.
On a scale of 1 to five (i beingness none at all; 5 being very much), how much of a threat to your members' marketshare/livelihood is the concrete industry in your state?
We hesitate to identify a number on information technology. We work hard to have a productive working relationship with our colleagues who represent physical paving interests. In many cases, nosotros accept common interests.
In the past yr we worked closely together to engage the California Section of Transportation on their pavement smoothness specifications. Our general approach is that we strive to provide projection owners with technical information that is apparent, thoroughly researched, peer-reviewed and field-tested so that they can make the best-possible engineering judgements with regard to pavement type selection.
We understand the enormous force per unit area public agencies, in detail, are nether to ensure they are getting the best possible value for the taxpayer dollar. We want to be a trusted resource of technical and applied data in this regard.
What emerging trends have you identified pertaining to asphalt paving in your state?
In 2012, California began the transition towards full Superpave implementation. Several pilot projects were constructed by Caltrans with the Superpave specification. 7 years later, Superpave is the mix design methodology for all of the work for Caltrans. Local agencies take not fully embraced the Superpave process. We see a demand to work with our local bureau partners to develop a Superpave specification that meets the needs of residential and collector routes. The Caltrans Superpave specification works well for highways with heavy vehicular loading but may non exist appropriate for lower volume routes.
Also, California leads the nation in the utilize of cobblestone safety mixes. The superpave try also includes asphalt prophylactic mixes. After several years of usage, our members have concerns with variability in test results from the tests used in the Superpave specification. We are working to identify the sources of variability and make up one's mind the advisable changes necessary for implementation.
What do you find most enjoyable about your job every bit a technical managing director of a SAPA?
Nosotros are fortunate to work in an manufacture filled with incredible people of diverse backgrounds. Throughout my career I have learned that this experience is truthful here in California, across the U.South., and fifty-fifty overseas. I enjoy spending time with my industry colleagues to share our career expertise and compare our life's journey.
Source: https://theasphaltpro.com/articles/calapa-brandon-milar/
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