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Pave It Black Podcast

Pave It Black is the official podcast of the National Asphalt Pavement Association. Hosted by NAPA's Richard Willis and Brett Williams, Pave It Black focuses on the people, issues, and technologies of the asphalt pavement industry, road building, and research and innovation.

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You can listen to Pave It Black on all available streaming platforms including Google PodcastsiHeartRadioiTunesStitcherSoundCloudSpotify, Amazon Music or TuneIn.

Recent Podcast Episodes

NAPA's Advocacy Arm
Season 7, Episode 4

In the latest episode of Pave It Black, Richard and Brett catch up with NAPA's Government Affairs Team to get an update on their recent advocacy activities and upcoming plans. Nile Elam, the Vice President of Government Affairs, joins the conversation to discuss NAPA's advocacy goals, his World of Asphalt PPP session, and the upcoming efforts planned for Distracted Driving Month. Listen find out how you can participate in the upcoming advocacy events, including the TCC Fly-In on May 14-15 and the Hill Days on September 25-26.

National Asphalt Pavement Association · NAPA's Advocacy Arm

Low Carbon Construction Materials
Season 7, Episode 4

In this episode of Pave It Black, Richard and Brett explore the use of low carbon construction materials in the asphalt pavement industry. To guide our conversation, we spoke with Walter Tersch from the General Services Administration, as well as Scott Legg and Fred Marvel from Brannan Companies. Gain insight into the specific requirements the GSA asks of businesses, including the importance of providing Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for asphalt products.

To learn more about how the GSA interacts with the asphalt pavement industry, attend their upcoming Virtual Inflation Reduction Action Industry Exchange webinar on March 21 at 11 AM ET. Register here: https://sam.gov/opp/5417ad0239dc448880c9947ecb92ba87/view 

National Asphalt Pavement Association · Low Carbon Construction Materials

ENERGY STAR
Season 7, Episode 3

In the latest episode of Pave It Black, Richard and Brett delve into the ENERGY STAR program and its potential benefits for companies in the asphalt pavement industry. To steer the conversation, they speak with Danny Macri of the Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR program, Bill Jerald, Chief Energy Engineer at CalPortland, and Matt Hinck, their Vice President of Government Affairs. Tune in to learn how ENERGY STAR can help companies achieve their sustainability goals, support program partners, and encourage employees to adopt energy-efficient practices.

National Asphalt Pavement Association · ENERGY STAR

Balanced Mix Design
Season 7, Episode 2

In this episode of Pave It Black, we discuss how Balanced Mix Design (BMD) is implemented at an industry and agency level. To understand both perspectives, Richard and Brett talk to Derek Nener-Plante of the Federal Highway Administration’s Resource Center, and Steve Jackson of N.B. West Contracting. Listen to learn more about the agency and industry collaboration, how challenges are overcome, and NAPA’s role in supporting BMD implementation.

National Asphalt Pavement Association · Balanced Mix Design
Pave It Black Live!

Pave It Black Live!
Season 7, Episode 1

In the Season Seven premiere episode of Pave It Black, Richard Willis and Brett Williams return with a live recording at NAPA's 2024 Annual Meeting from Orlando, Florida. Learn how the podcast got off the ground, revisit previous seasons, and hear about some of Richard and Brett's favorite moments. For Pave It Black's Seventh Season, Conversations from the Capital, Richard and Brett will facilitate conversations between industry leaders and federal partners. Tune in every Tuesday to learn about industry developments, agency updates, and much more!

National Asphalt Pavement Association · Pave It Black Live!

Season 6

In season six of NAPA’s flagship podcast, Pave It Black, Vice President of Engineering, Research, & Technology Richard Willis, PhD, and Director of Engineering & Technical Support Brett Williams explore groundbreaking projects and the people wielding the tools and power to break new ground. Topics range from emerging regulatory and legislative impacts like defining ‘environmentally preferred asphalt’ in episode one to diversifying the industry through affinity groups that recruit and support women and minorities not always readily identified with the industry in episode 10.

National Asphalt Pavement Association · Season 6

Season 5

Pave It Black's fifth season explores the people and technologies of the asphalt pavement industry and how they are working toward creating the future of net zero emissions pavement.

National Asphalt Pavement Association · Season 5: Climate & The Road Forward

Season 4

Pave It Black rolls into its fourth season of exploring the people, issues, and technologies within the asphalt pavement industry. In Season Four, hosts Richard Willis and Brett Williams will focus on workforce opportunity, speaking with guests whose workplaces range from the corporate office to the work zone.

National Asphalt Pavement Association · Season 4: Career Opportunity

Season 3

National Asphalt Pavement Association · Season 3 "Technology"

Season 2

National Asphalt Pavement Association · Season 2

Season 1

National Asphalt Pavement Association · Season 1

Accelerating Asphalt Research

In this episode of Pave It Black, Richard and Brett talk with Navneet Garg of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) about the research work he does at the William J Hughes Technical Center, the National Airport Pavement Test Facility (NAPTF), and the National Airport Pavement & Materials Research Center (NAPMRC) to continue to advance asphalt pavement innovation, performance, and sustainability.

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Watch For Us

Richard and Brett talk with Emily Bay of Rieth-Riley Construction Co., Inc. about the role that communication plays in safety and how they share information with employees as well as the public. 

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The Asphalt Industry’s Highest Award

Richard and Brett talk with Scott Roe, Michael Terry, Derik Huber, and Ryan Booth of Kiewit Infrastructure South Co. about what it takes to win the highest award as well as what the award means to the company and its staff.

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Partnering on Workforce

Richard and Brett talk with Jason Duininck of Duininck Inc, Jim Sieben of Nova-Tech Engineering, and Mike Kroeker of Willmar High School about the Manufacturing and Production (MAPs)program and how their organizations partner to help students learn about different career opportunities.

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Closer Look: NAPA’s Ray Brown Airport Award

Richard and Brett talk with Chris Croom, with S.T. Wooten Corp., about recently winning the 2022 Ray Brown award as well as previous awards the company’s work has been recognized with.

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Developing Relationships

Richard and Brett talk with John Hay, with CRH Americas Materials, about engaging with elected officials and how those interactions can impact how our industry does and the way we operate.

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