Buzz Powell, Asphalt Pavement Alliance
Innovation in quality control (QC) practices is necessary to improve the quality of asphalt for agencies and increase the opportunity for innovation by contractors. Practices should ideally generate rapid results (within a few hours), be implementable in field laboratories with limited resources, and respect workforce development realities. Recommendations will be made for agency enforcement as well as contractor compliance.
Travis Richardson, MacAllister Machinery
Get ready to dive into the crucial aspects of asphalt paving! In this presentation, we'll uncover the common mat defects that can arise on any project - and more importantly, how to prevent them. By mastering the fundamentals and ensuring every member of the paving crew sticks to the core principles, you can achieve a flawless, smooth, and uniform asphalt mat every time. Let's turn potential challenges into paving perfection!
Jayson Watt, Indy DPW and Elizabeth Pastuszka, APAI
Get ready for a comprehensive look into APAI’s powerful resources tailored for local agency and non-DOT projects! Indianapolis DPW will take you on an in-depth dive how they worked with APAI to make changes to their specifications and procedures to develop a well-rounded local QA program. You will be equipped with editable documents, essential checklists, and information on the liquid asphalt binder changes to prepare for the 2025 construction season.
Winning at Working Parenthood
Daisy Dowling, Workparent
During this session, Daisy Dowling - a working-parenthood expert and author of Workparent: The Complete Guide to succeeding on the Job, Staying True to Yourself and Raising Happy Kids, will share specific tools and strategies for succeeding at work while being the present, loving parent you want to be - and for remaining healthy, whole and yourself in the process.
Using actionable examples and real-time exercises, Daisy will coach each of us on how to:
Steve Varner, E&B Paving and James Colonis, INDOT
In this session, you'll hear from an INDOT District Construction Engineer who will provide insights into the structure of INDOT’s Construction Division, explain the hierarchy of project documents, and offer best practices for submitting change orders to improve approval chances. Additionally, an INDOT contractor will outline the various procurement methods available and demonstrate how to effectively navigate INDOT’s website to access up-to-date and upcoming project information.
Buzz Powell, Asphalt Pavement Alliance
Understanding deficiencies in an existing pavement surface and structure is essential to selecting ideal preservation, maintenance, rehabilitation, and/or reconstruction alternatives. This presentation explains how to infer deficiencies from shoulder surveys, online tools, mildly intrusive sampling, and destructive forensics. General alternatives will be recommended based on forensic findings.
George Reddin, FMI Advisors
This session dives into the future of construction materials and the shifting landscape of the marketplace. In an era of unprecedented economic volatility, it’s more critical than ever for construction companies to stay adaptable and forward-thinking. This session will also highlight the significant role the 2024 election could play in reshaping the industry.
Chris Wagner, FHWA
The Federal Highway Administration’s Mobile Asphalt Technology Center (MATC) offers expertise in asphalt technology, featuring hands-on demonstrations and access to cutting-edge asphalt testing equipment and innovations. As INDOT prepares to bring the MATC to Indiana for a test project in 2026, this presentation will showcase the range of support activities and resources available to INDOT and the asphalt pavement community. Additionally, we will explore key insights and lessons learned from other states' experiences with the MATC.
Matt Beeson and Kumar Dave, INDOT
Did you ever wonder why a certain specification or design change occurs? Attend this session to take a deeper dive into the INDOT research process and learn about past, present, and future research initiatives and how they impact design and material specifications.
Jason Wielinski, Asphalt Institute
There are four critical phases during asphalt pavement construction: production, hauling, placement and compaction. Learn valuable insights to maintaining a continuous and efficient construction process from start to finish. This presentation will explore how the requirements and challenges of each phase are interconnected to ensure a high-quality operation.
Matt Moore and Steve Luptak, Tensar
Geosynthetics are used in a wide range of construction projects, including both DOT and local agency roadways. By stabilizing and reinforcing pavement structures, geogrid solutions dramatically reduce material costs, speed up construction, extend pavement life, and provide a sustainable, long-lasting solution. This session will cover essential topics like geogrid mechanics, proven design methodologies, R&D breakthroughs, real-world project successes, and an introduction to user-friendly design software.
Jon Ulrich, Improv Cincinnati
Join our Indiana Quality Asphalt Pavement and Safety Awards Luncheon Jon Ulrich for an engaging workshop that harnesses the power of improv to elevate your business communication skills. Through fun, interactive exercises, you'll laearn how the principle of "Yes, And" can enhance teamwork, boost creativity, and transport your professional interactions.