Pave It Black: The Official Podcast of NAPA

Pave It Black: The Official Podcast of NAPA

Pave It Black is the official podcast of the National Asphalt Pavement Association. Since 2020, NAPA's Richard Willis and Brett Williams have sparked conversations about the people, issues, and technologies that drive the asphalt pavement industry forward. Season 9 Beyond the Pavement: Lessons in Leadership is coming soon! Make sure to follow Pave It Black to be notified when new episodes drop. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

April 21, 2026 27 mins
In the final episode of Season 10, we welcome DWayne Edmondson, Safety Director at Gallagher Asphalt and author of Twist of Faith: Finding the Silver Lining. Dwayne shares how attitude shapes not only job site safety, but personal growth and leadership. The conversation explores how communication, emotional awareness, and a positive approach can prevent injuries, strengthen teams, and create a culture where people feel supported bo...

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This week we explore the intersection of cutting-edge technology and asphalt infrastructure with Noor Saleh, an engineer and entrepreneur from Continuum Infrastructure Solutions. Noor shares her journey from researching asphalt materials at NC State to being recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30 for her work in manufacturing and industry. The conversation highlights how the next generation of leaders are re-envisioning the pavement life...

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What does it take to become a trusted technical resource in the asphalt industry? This week, Todd Mansell of Caterpillar shares how decades of hands-on experience evolved into a career dedicated to training crews, improving paving performance, and raising the standard of quality across projects. Todd explains why success in asphalt paving goes beyond materials and technology. It comes down to people, communication, and a clear unde...

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What does it take to lead one of the most complex transportation systems in the United States? In this episode, Mark Compton, CEO of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, offers a behind-the-scenes look at modern infrastructure leadership and how agencies are adapting to increasing demands in construction, safety, sustainability, and customer experience. We explore the innovations reshaping the Turnpike, including open road tolling, the expan...

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This week, we sit down with Tyler Hackman of AlignOps once again, to discuss how real-time hauling data is shifting the day-to-day experience for paving crews across North America. We explore the transition from using fragmented, bespoke tools to adopting holistic platforms that provide a clear window into the entire paving process. Tyler shares insights into how tracking inbound loads helps foremen reduce site clutter, manage truc...

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In this episode of Pave It Black, we explore how non-engineers are transforming the road construction industry. Lauren SeBlonka shares her unconventional journey from studying sociology at the University of Glasgow to leading innovation and sustainability initiatives in the UK highways sector with Amey. Lauren highlights her work with the Live Labs 2 project and her involvement with PIARC, the World Road Association, to illustrate ...

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This week, we welcome Jo Sias Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of New Hampshire, to discuss the evolving landscape of asphalt research. With nearly 25 years of experience in the field, Jo highlights the growing necessity of cross-disciplinary collaboration, specifically how engineering must integrate with social science and data science to improve long term pavement performance. She emphasizes the ...

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Marvin Joles shares his 23-year journey from teenage roofing laborer in rural Wisconsin to respected asphalt contractor, entrepreneur, and industry storyteller. As the founder of Wis-Coat and the voice behind In the Mix and Blacktop Banter, Marvin explains how social media, content creation, and personal branding transformed his business and expanded his impact across the asphalt pavement community. We also discuss the importa...

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This week, we explore how technology, leadership, and culture are reshaping modern asphalt job sites. Guests Adam Harshman, President of FleetWatcher, and Tyler Hackman, Director of Sales, share why true innovation in the asphalt pavement industry starts with the boots on the ground, not the boardroom. From digital tools that drive transparency across plants, trucks, and paving crews to building a culture where data becomes a share...

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This week, we sit down with keynote speaker and author Sam Demma, to explore the critical role of empathy within the world of construction. Recorded live at NAPA’s Annual Meeting, Sam shares his unexpected journey from a high school volunteer initiative to becoming a sought-after motivational speaker. Sam dives into the concept behind his upcoming book, Return on Goodwill, explaining how acts of kindness create lasting impact both ...

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To celebrate the 100th episode of Pave It Black, Richard Willis and Brett Williams sit down with the new NAPA Chair, Jay Lemon, for a live episode recorded at NAPA’s 2026 Annual Meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona. The conversation explores the rich history of the association and the evolving landscape of the asphalt pavement industry. We dive into the critical importance of advocacy and the upcoming Highway Bill. From leadership lesson...

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In this episode of Pave It Black, NAPA leadership reflects on the biggest achievements of 2025 and what those wins mean for the asphalt pavement industry moving forward. Richard Willis and Brett Williams are joined by NAPA President and CEO Audrey Copeland, Director of Government Affairs Mitch Baldwin, and Senior VP of Membership Ester Magorka to unpack both the visible milestones and the behind-the-scenes work that shaped the year...

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During this special episode we recap The Road Forward International Summit, a first-of-its-kind global gathering focused on asphalt decarbonization, sustainability, and innovation. Richard and Brett sit down with Dr. Amlan Mukherjee, NAPA’s Senior Director for Sustainability and Intelligent Construction, to explore the insights, breakthroughs, and unexpected conversations that emerged across the event. With participation from North...

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In the final episode of Pave It Black, Jim McEvoy, President & CEO of Wirtgen America, shares why a deep knowledge of how your products, teams, and services come together is critical to staying true to your company’s vision and brand promise. From integrating multiple brands under one umbrella to leading innovation in roadbuilding equipment, Jim explains how aligning every step of the process with a clear purpose drives long-te...

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Organizational transitions involve more than balance sheets and operational plans—they require navigating the emotional dynamics that often make or break leadership changes. In this episode, we speak with leadership development expert and author of Succeeding: Stepping Up Without Stepping In It, Albert Ciuksza. With decades of consulting experience, Albert walks us through the nuanced dynamics between successors and predecessors in...

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In this episode, we shift gears and dive into leadership in a vital area of our industry: sales. With the help of Brodie Hutchins, Vice President of VÖGELE Products at the Wirtgen Group and Chair of NAPA’s Associate Member Council, we break down what it takes to become a trusted voice in the field. Brodie shares what it truly takes to succeed in sales roles—a blend of deep technical knowledge and relationship-building that puts peo...

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Stepping into a new industry can be challenging or intimidating, but for Amanda Mohr, it brought tremendous growth. This week, the President of Superior Bowen shares how her background in finance became a powerful foundation for leading with precision, adaptability, and authenticity. Through her commitment to lifelong learning, she’s embraced every challenge as an opportunity for growth. Whether she's innovating operation...

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When we think of leadership, we often picture the teams we manage or the goals we set—but sometimes, we need to look a little closer. True leadership starts with self-awareness: it starts with me. In this episode of Pave It Black, executive coach and leadership expert, Wally Adamchik, shares how he has helped leaders grow by embracing grace and humility. With decades of experience coaching executives in the construction industry, W...

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Relationships in leadership are vital for success—both with clients and with your crew. This week, global business development expert Hilary Fordwich brings 30+ years of experience to unpack how strong leadership attracts business, builds loyalty, and drives results. Through her “Want v. Need” framework, Hilary explains how to develop teams that don’t just perform, they believe in the work. Listeners will learn the three characteri...

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This week Aaron Witt, the Founder of BuildWitt, joins us to share how a relentless drive for curiosity has shaped his leadership journey—and how it can do the same for you. Aaron emphasizes that building authentic cultures and investing in people as individuals, not just workers, is the secret to success. Drawing from global experiences and countless conversations with industry leaders, he shows how staying continually curious and ...

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