OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE UTAH ASPHALT PAVEMENT ASSOCIATION

Pub. 4 2022 Issue 2

Executive Director’s Message: History. Made.

This story appears in the
On the Road Magazine Pub 4 2022 Issue 2

Together, we have made history in the state of Utah and it is beautiful and amazing to me.

History will judge.

So goes the saying often repeated in movies, books, politics, and life in general. I know you have heard it said at least once before. Often true, we are indeed judged by our history because it is what we do, not what we say that defines us most.

That is what you will find in this issue of On the Road — you will find UAPA’s history over the past 10 years since its inception — you will find what it is we have done. Not so much in a detailed report, but more so in the details of the faces of the people you will see captured in the images found in this issue’s pages. You will find smiles, you will find peers, and you will find friends. Taken together, you will find the people who voluntarily come together time and time again whether in a committee meeting, a networking event, a quarterly meeting, a task group, a Lunch and Learn, a certification training, a conference, or our Annual Dinner to make our shared history in this industry better.

Too often we take for granted all the things UAPA does because we are now 10 years into this grand experiment. What was once the norm is now no more. What was never happening just 10 short years ago now happens on a regular basis. Together, we have made history in the state of Utah and it is beautiful and amazing to me.

I hope to never take our history for granted. It has given me a professional career, driven my purpose, and allowed me to meet some extraordinary people who will forever be my colleagues and friends. History will indeed judge, but when it does, I hope it will recognize just how far we have come as an industry and as an association. It has not been perfect. In fact, it has been a bit messy at times. But it is ours. UAPA is yours, it is mine, and it is all of our history coupled together. I could not ask for more than that.

I will, however, do more moving forward to continue to make the next 10 years and beyond even better. You will too because you are reading this and you are a part of it. That is the best part of it all – there are still a lot of pages left to write. More meetings, more events, more training, more changes, all in the name of giving our very best for this wonderful state and its citizens. It is a journey I am glad to take with you.

I am confident that the results speak for themselves. Not so much in the money invested and time given, but in the difference it is making in all of our lives and in the lives of a lot of people that still do not know UAPA even exists. In fact, I kind of prefer it that way. I suppose it is the introvert in me. I’m working on getting better at it because we all need some goals for the next 10 years! Regardless, roads in Utah are getting better all of the time because of us. That’s a history I am proud to stand behind and alongside with you. 

History. Made.

— Reed