Pub. 2 2019-2020 Issue 1

2 Reed Ryan Executive Director The Utah Asphalt Pavement Association EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE IT’S NOT ME, IT’S YOU I t’s now been close to seven years since the time I was hired as the first Executive Director of the Utah Asphalt Pavement Association (UAPA). And, if I am being completely honest, had you told me then that I’d still be around seven years later trying to build this association into what it has become and has yet to become, I probably would not have believed you. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I do not absolutely love this job, because I do. I would have just have figured that people would have long ago realized that I often don’t have a clue what I am doing. Indeed, seven years ago I had never belonged to an association of any sort, much less helped to build one from scratch as an executive director, and I had not the faintest idea about asphalt pavements, their production, their construction, and their preservation. In fact, it’s a bit of a miracle I was even hired for this position now that I really think about it. Now, seven years later, it’d be easy for me to take credit for all the successes and growth UAPA has experienced since the days of its infancy. It’d be easy for me to claim victory for reaching 100+ members strong this year. It’d be easy for me to claim credit for cre- ating our first Regional Leadership Council in 2019. And it’d be great for everyone to recognize how great I am for keeping the association in a financially sustainable posi- tion by organizing one of the largest asphalt conferences in our entire country right here in our own state. Yep, all in all, I am a pretty good guy and an excellent execu- tive director. But here’s the kicker, it’s not me, it’s you. Truly, I am still the guy that really does not know too much, who is still trying to figure how to best build and run an association, and maybe, just maybe, who knows a tiny bit of all there is to learn about road con- struction and the quality and use of asphalt pavements. It’s you who have dedicated countless hours outside of your paying jobs to make sure that we get a specification just right. It’s you who have given some of your best talent from your organizations to lead and chair our committees and boards. And it’s you who have spread the word, seen the vision, and believed in just what it is we are trying to do here with this little association of ours. All of this and much, much more belongs to you. UAPA is strong because of you. We’ve got seven years down with many more to go. Thank you for being part of the greatest industry around. I’m passionate about what it is we are doing, and I know so are you. So, it truly is you, all of you, who have helped to make UAPA what it was, what it is today, and what it will become tomorrow. I’m just glad I get to go along for the ride with you. 3 It’s you who have spread the word, seen the vision, and believed in just what it is we are trying to do here with this little association of ours. All of this and much, much more belongs to you.