Pub. 2 2019-2020 Issue 1

14 2019 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE: HAL LABELLE, ASPHALT SYSTEMS, INC. How did you get into the asphalt industry? I started with ASI about 20 years ago. My degree is in industrial engineering, so it wasn’t a stretch by any means. Three things happened in 1960: I graduated from Utah State University aftermajoring in industrial management andminoring in economics; I marriedmy college sweetheart, Helen Harriman; andmy career took an unexpected turn. I had startedworking for a construction company after graduation. My dad was a chem- ical engineer who was working as the area lube oil manager for Phillips PetroleumCompany when he and a co-worker decided to be partners and start Utah Emulsions Company. The partner passed away sixmonths after they organized the new company. At that time, Dad asked me to join him in the new venture and I happily agreed to do so. I worked with my dad for 15 years, until his passing. I contin- ued to work as president of our business for another 10 years, when we sold Utah Emulsions to Koch Asphalt Co., a division of Koch Industries headquartered in Wichita, Kansas. I stayed on with Koch as sales manager of our Western Region through 1998, when I joined Asphalt Systems, Inc. as intermountain marketing manager. I am currently a senior advisor on a part- time basis. During my entire career, I’ve had the opportunity of working with state DOTs, counties, cities and contractors and have sup- plied them with liquid asphalt products for their road mainte- nance projects. I have loved my work and appreciated the close friendships of co-workers and clients. My wife Helen and our four children, Lisa, Rick, Curt and Mark, have been great support for me. What is your educational background? I grew up in Utah, graduated fromDavis High, and went to Utah State. My degree is in industrial engineering. I also have anMBA from LaSalle University Extension. I grew up in Centerville, Utah, and graduated from Davis High School, where I was active in student government and athlet- ics. I attended Utah State University on a baseball scholarship and graduated in 1960. I also received a business management degree from LaSalle Extension University in 1970. Since grad- uation, I have always been active in industry organizations on a local and national level, which has been very important and helpful. It was an honor and a great experience to serve on the board of directors and as vice chairman and chairman for the Associated General Contractors, a national organization that consists of associates and suppliers. Are there any specific individuals who had a major impact on your career ? For starters, my dad. He had a great work ethic and, thankfully, he expected and taught me to have one, too. He had a posi- tive attitude. Those attributes had a big impact in starting his company. Utah Emulsions started from ground zero, and was successful for many years. I was always proud to be his son. Dad was genuine andwas always the same person regardless of who he was with. His best advice — and something I heeded my entire career — was to “make recommendations that are best for your clients, not you; in the end you will benefit because your clients will always trust you.”