You were the first president of UAPA. Tell us about that experience.

I was part of the group that organized our association. It was a different experience – something I had never done before, but I learned a lot. It was also one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had.

We – meaning me and our small group (most of whom became our charter members) spent about a year and a half preparing and exploring. We decided to launch. Reed didn’t come into the association until the middle of the first year.

Somehow, I became our first president. When everyone asked, I didn’t say no. I had been involved in trying to create this association for ten years prior, and had a passion. I had a supportive boss at Staker Parson who believed Utah needed the association, and so did I. But the organization itself was in need. Some individuals were working for sister companies involved with similar associations, and they understood the benefits of organizing into one group.

We had 13 members to start with, and held a small conference that first year. It was a small event that occurred a few months after Reed started. There were a lot of challenges that first year, including interviewing and hiring Reed. We interviewed many, many people, but recognized he would be exceptional. We were fortunate. It was his brother who “put a bug in his ear,” so to speak.

We started from scratch and had many challenges, such as creating our policies, identifying the goals of the association, and forming the nonprofit. It was a challenge to get it off the ground, let alone get our name out there to be recognized.

We convinced the charter members that they would need to support the association financially for the first three years. The reality is, we’re in a small market, which presents its own set of challenges.

The second president was?

Waylund Ludlow. I was relieved, but we still had work to do. My involvement didn’t stop for five years or so. It was nonstop work. Then I took the role as president for a second time. The passion was still there because, for me, it was personal.

Describe your education background.

Well, I made it out of high school. I went to the University of Utah. Back story: I was involved in a family-owned business – not asphalt – for many years, since my teens. We did garbage removal. The company was ACE Disposal, which my dad started in the early 1970s. He started with one truck and, from there, built the business. However, he decided to sell it in the early 1990s. At that time, I had a friend in the asphalt business – Staker. This friend made a suggestion to me, and I jumped. I’d been with Staker for 11 years. We portioned what is used from refined crude oil used to make asphalt. I witnessed a lot while working there, specifically, that asphalt oil doesn’t follow that price of gasoline.

Are there any specific individuals that had a major impact on your career decision?

Scott Beall – he was my first boss in this industry, and it was he who taught me the ropes. His attention to detail was and is incredible. One of the things I learned from him was the importance of building relationships with customers and vendors. Another lesson learned was to ask one more question. Get to know the people surrounding you.

What is the most rewarding part of your career?

Being able to drive down the highway in the state and see countless roads I helped build. Another reward is infrastructure and witnessing the work used wisely. Being able to see something from UDOT’s perspective.

We have growth in Utah; I was involved in an infrastructure study taking the state to 2040. Our population is going to double, and municipalities need guidance on how best to use their resources. UAPA has helped these cities and towns understand the best pavements suitable for their needs. We’ve always worked well with varied public works associations.