Pub 2 2019-20 Issue 4

Since the beginnings of the Utah Asphalt Pavement Association (UAPA), the goal was to establish regional councils that provide members with a localized, closer-to-home voice and provide leadership opportunities for members across the state.

The phrase “the elephant in the room” refers to an issue that is too large to ignore or sweep under the carpet and have the potential to be disruptive if left unaddressed. These issues apply as much in our personal lives outside of work as it does in the workplace. A major reason organizations (and families) do not address these “elephants in the room” is the fear of the unknown, including the unknown ripple-effects of addressing the issue being overlooked. One such “elephant in the room” in the construction industry is alcohol and substance misuse among the collective workforce.

What are the origins of this organization in Utah?
We just started our Utah branch thanks to UAPA’s Reed Ryan and Keri Dumont.

In 2017, after having worked in the asphalt industry for a handful of years, Amy Miller and Natasha Ozybko crossed paths. By chance, both women had made careers in male-dominated industries and were aware they were frequently one of only a handful of ladies in the room for any given meeting. Miller floated the idea of starting an organization devoted to supporting women in the asphalt industry with some female colleagues and shared the idea with Ozybko. Miller and Ozybko, along with Ashley Batson (director, South Carolina Asphalt Pavement Association), Audrey Copeland (president and CEO, National Asphalt Pavement Association) and Tracie Schlich (marketing director, Asphalt Institute) joined forces. They founded Women of Asphalt (WofA).

Our own members weigh in on the impacts, opportunities and industry outlook resulting from COVID-19.

Do your economic scenarios change depending on who is in the White House?

November was the eighth month since the March 2020 economic shutdown, and it was also the month for Natalie’s 2021 economic outlook. When she worked with Mike Leavitt at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, she learned that all pandemics end. She promised this pandemic would end, too.

We made it! Welcome to the end of 2020 and the promise of all things ahead in the year 2021. Somehow, two weeks to “flatten the curve” has now turned into a prolonged, nine-month battle for health, safety and life. Like you, I’m saddened at the loss of life we have experienced this year. By now, at a minimum, many of us have known of at least an acquaintance who has passed away due to the global pandemic. And as tough as this year may have been on schedules, on schooling, on our jobs and even on our association, the personal loss many of us have borne helps to keep things in perspective.