Asphalt Talk

This episode of Asphalt Talk features Dr. Sam Goodwin, keynote speaker for the 2026 MAPA Summer Social in Kansas City. Sam shares his remarkable journey of traveling to all 193 countries, the life-changing experience of being taken hostage and wrongfully imprisoned in Syria, and the lessons he learned about resilience, leadership, and navigating uncertainty. The conversation also previews Sam’s ke...

Dale Williams sits down with Llans Taylor, Transportation Planning Director at the Missouri Department of Transportation, to break down the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). They discuss how projects are selected, how funding shapes the program, and what challenges MoDOT faces in delivering a five-year plan.

Getting to know the MAPA 2026 Conference Keynote Speaker.

Meet Eric Schroeter : Deputy Director & Chief Engineer, MoDOT (Missouri Department of Transportation)

Learn a little bit about Col. Tillman and what attendees of the 2025 Annual Conference will hear during the keynote

In this 2-part podcast, we discuss the upcoming MAPA/AAPA joint meeting that will be held at the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT), where the group will visit their test track and asphalt lab. In Part 1, host Rick Biermann sits down with Joe Bardill and Brian Kelso. Joe is the current chairman of the MAPA Emerging Leaders, and Brian chairs the AAPA Young Leaders. Together, they discuss...

This episode will recap the 2024 Missouri Legislative Session along with a discussion on the 2024 Missouri Primary and how the November election will impact the asphalt paving industry.

Getting to know Reed Ryan, the Executive Director of the Asphalt Pavement Alliance. The listeners will get to learn about Reed's vision for the APA and the resources they provide.

In this episode we will learn about how Mitch Holthus got into broadcasting, how he prepares for a game and preview of what attendees at the MAPA Summer Social will hear during his keynote speech.

Guests will learn about Kenny's career at MoDOT, what he likes to do outside of work and his priorities as the new State Design Engineer

Dr. Buzz Powell was hired for the newly created position of Technical Director for the Asphalt Pavement Alliance. We will learn about Dr. Powell's experience in previous jobs along with how the APA can help MAPA members.

A conversation with MAPA emerging leaders chairperson Rusty Durbin and Steph Auping from Leadership and Co. Our emerging leaders committee is, again, sponsoring and presenting the personal development track at MAPA Black to Basics Spring Training. In this episode we talk with Rusty and Steph about what attendees can expect to gain from this years training. Get more information about Spring Trainin...

This episode gives the audience a little background on Christian Okoye and what they can expect to hear during his keynote address at the MAPA Annual Conference.

On this episode we sit down with Travis Koestner, the State Design Engineer for MoDOT, to help you understand how a project gets identified, and moves through the process to be put out for bid.

In this episode, Dale Williams interviews lobbyist Noel Torpey from Husch Blackwell Strategies to discuss the impact of the 2023 legislative session on the asphalt industry in Missouri. Despite the past legislative challenges, they highlight some positive outcomes, and the allocation of the 2024 budget of $2.8 billion for the rebuilding and widening of sections of I-70 and the commitment to fund m...

Dale sits down with Audrey Copeland, President and CEO of the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) as she shares about the organization and how it partners with the state associations. Audrey shares information about committees, upcoming events, organizational goals and her experience as President.  

In this episode, Dale interviews Amy Miller, the National Director of the Asphalt Pavement Alliance (APA) . She shares information and updates from the APA for asphalt professionals. Listen to learn how the APA can be used as a resource for you in the asphalt industry.

In this episode, Rick Biermann is joined by Bruce McGregor, the Public Works Director for the City of Olivette, to discuss the starting of the MAPA Municipal Roundtable meetings. They discuss where the idea for the meetings came from, and how the first couple have gone. They also discus the upcoming meeting and what MAPA is doing to help their members and owners build better roads.  Bruce is the P...

In this episode, we’re treated to a preview of Joe Fingerhut's keynote speech for our 2023 Black to Basics Spring Training. Find out a little about Joe, his varied and entertaining interests and how he got into public speaking.  You can find out a little bit about Joe and how he got into public speaking. Learn more about Joe on his website, https://joefingerhut.com/ .

In this episode, Rick Biermann interviews Red Clark. Red is part of a panel presentation MAPA is presenting on February 15, 2023. He is an expert in industrial and manufacturing practice improvement to lessen environmental impact. Red has been in the road construction industry since the late 1980s and is familiar with the growing political, environmental, and economic pressures to make our roadway...

This episode is hosted by Rick Bierman of MAPA and Stacy Brockmeier of MayeCreate Design . Stacy has served on the MAPA Emerging Leaders executive team since it started. She has served as the chairperson for the last year. Under her leadership, the participation of the group has grown significantly.  In this episode, Rick and Stacy chat with Shara Brice of The Chapman Foundation for Caring Communi...

In this episode, we get to know Brian Johanning, the 2023 MAPA Board of Directors President. Dale and Brian discuss Brian’s past work experience, what motivates him and his goals for MAPA for 2023. Brian’s background in heavy civil construction, engineering management, homebuilding and land development allows him to maintain a perspective that is broad and all-encompassing. Learn more about the MA...

Getting to know Brandi Baldwin, the new State Construction and Materials Engineer.  Brandi talks about her role with MoDOT , and shares her background and biggest professional influences. She and Dale also dicuss her vision for construction and materials moving forward and their goals for the partnership between MAPA and MoDOT.

Dale Williams of MAPA sits down with Kyle Phillips from Herzog Contracting to review the 2022 MAPA board retreat and the goals the organization has set forth to better MAPA and the industry. The low volume road program has a big impact on the lettered roads in the state. They discuss the key legislation coming up in the 2023 session that will impact the asphalt industry. Kyle has served as the 202...

In this episode of Asphalt Talk, Dale Williams of MAPA interviews Noel Torpey of Husch Blackwell as he provides a legislative outlook for the asphalt industry in Missouri. Noel is an expert on legislative issues, and a huge advocate for the asphalt industry.  Noel discusses how the 2022 election as well as how house and senate leadership will impact the asphalt industry. Funding is always a big hi...