Nicholas Watkins is a diligent student in the civil engineering department at Brigham Young University. Beyond his academic pursuits, he is an altruist who values collaboration, and he approaches his work with precision and efficiency. He is committed to using his talents and abilities to serve others. As a civil engineering major, he is deeply committed to improving the lives of others through efficient, sustainable and innovative infrastructure. The asphalt industry, in particular, plays a pivotal role in fostering economic growth and ensuring access to quality infrastructure. He is fascinated by the numerous opportunities within the field of civil engineering and recognizes the importance of asphalt in creating durable and reliable transportation networks. His experience as an intern in the water/wastewater sector allowed him to engage with infrastructure systems that are interconnected with the nation’s roadways. Additionally, his work in the court surfacing industry introduced him to principles that overlap with the asphalt industry, further deepening his understanding and appreciation of its impact.
Charlie Smith is pursuing a degree in business at Utah Valley University, which is a crucial step in achieving his long-term career goals. With his experience in the asphalt industry, his dedication to personal and professional growth, and his aspirations of starting his own business, he is committed to using his education to contribute meaningfully to the industry. He worked for Morgan Pavement as their yard maintenance, where he developed a strong work ethic, problem-solving skills and a deep understanding of the operational side of the industry. Additionally, he worked for Nu Rock, Morgan Pavement’s sister company, as an asphalt coating manufacturer. These experiences gave him insight into the industry’s materials, processes and business operations, further fueling his desire to build a career in asphalt. His goal is to use his business degree to advance within the asphalt industry and, ultimately, establish his own company.
Jacob Walton is currently a student at Utah Valley University. He is studying construction management with an emphasis on heavy civil construction and is currently employed at Geneva Rock Products, based out of the Orem office. He is a construction intern, learning the techniques used in asphalt paving and concrete paving. Prior to working for Geneva Rock Products, he was a construction intern for WW Clyde on their mobile paving crew. The projects he was on with that crew were a mill and fill of Interstate 80 and a mill and fill of Highway 40 in Duchesne, Utah. He is hoping to continue his education in construction, as well as continue to be an intern at Geneva Rock Products, learning more about the process of paving and hopefully gaining a career in the paving industry.
Mariam Wakil has a deep passion for pursuing civil engineering. It allows her to make a tangible difference in the world, which at the end of the day, is her goal. Civil and environmental engineering offers her the perfect avenue to put together her love for design, problem-solving and environmental preservation. She is very focused on cleaning out our waterways as she believes it is a fundamental human right to be able to have clean water as well as it being a major step towards environmental sustainability. She believes we have a large issue with polluted waterways and it harms human health as well as disturbs our ecosystems. In addition, she is committed to advancing sustainable urban development. Our population is only growing day by day, and cities are expanding very quickly, which only brings a negative impact to the environment at the moment. She wants to be the solution to this by forming cities that coexist harmoniously with nature.
