Innovation. Dedication. Commitment. Three simple words that come to mind as I ponder this issue of On the Road. Without fail, each year as we dedicate an issue of our magazine to cover not only the Utah Asphalt Conference but also the host of great projects, wonderful people, and exciting changes that make up our industry I tend to get a little teary-eyed and proud of all that this industry sets forth and accomplishes each year.

You don’t have to look far into these pages to see that Utah is indeed the place to be. But there is another word that comes to mind as you look through these pages: uncomfortable. Probably not what you were guessing, but it’s true. We should be uncomfortable. What once made us great is no longer sufficient. Look closely; words and features like ‘The Road Forward’ and ‘Solving Thick Lift Challenges’ should cause you pause. What once was, will soon have to change if we are to survive as an industry moving forward. Mix design methodologies from seventy years ago or even thirty years ago need to be reevaluated. The way our industry engages and works within our climate and environment must be evaluated and, dare I say, improved.

So, my invitation for you in 2022 is this: Let’s get uncomfortable, together. Let’s have some hard conversations. Let’s get better. Let’s think anew about what we have done for decades. Is it working? The answer is a resounding yes. And that is a wonderful thing, but can it get better? Absolutely. The two responses don’t have to be exclusive and both responses can be true at the same time.

That’s why I hope you will enjoy reading about all that was accomplished in 2021, while also joining with me to focus on what lies ahead. The Road Forward program that has been launched by the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) is a good place to start. Together, we are going to have to spend some time in the trenches to figure this out. Becoming better stewards of our resources will take all of us – owners, agencies, producers, suppliers, and contractors. It will take time. It will take our talents. And it will take us getting a little uncomfortable for a time. Today’s a good day to start.

As we venture down this proverbial road together, I would be remiss if I did not thank Jeff Collard for his two years of leadership at UAPA. Jeff is our first-ever President that served two years in a row and I could not think of better person to have served alongside these past two years. Jeff is a mentor and Jeff is my friend. Most importantly, he is just a good person – one of the best, in fact, that you could ever hope to meet. I wish him well in his retirement from UAPA leadership, but he should also realize it likely won’t last long!

Innovative. Dedicated. Committed. Uncomfortable. That’s UAPA in 2022. It’s a good place to be with each of these descriptive principles driving us all towards something better. Our story didn’t start today, but I’m awfully glad we get to write the next few chapters of it together.

Enjoy this issue of On the Road. We are truly grateful for all you do.

Reed