Pave It Black: The Official Podcast of NAPA

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 cu...

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 a...

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 peop...

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, inc...

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 forem...

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 Wor...

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 paveme...

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 com...

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...

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 k...

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 H...

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-...

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 e...

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...

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 be...

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...

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....

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 execut...

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. Listen...

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 h...

How can you transition between roles while staying true to your values? This week’s guest, Deb Schwerman, demonstrates that a passion for your work and industry can reinforce those values, no matter your position. As the current Executive Director of the Wisconsin Asphalt Pavement Association, she shares her journey—from inspecting asphalt in the field and testing samples in the lab to leading ind...

This special edition honors National Work Zone Awareness Week with an in-depth look at how awareness, advocacy, and innovation are creating safer job sites for road workers. First, we hear from Mitch Baldwin and Cameron Greene —two leading voices in the Work Zone Safety Coalition—who break down the latest policy efforts, the impact of federal and state-level changes, and how you can join the aware...

Diverse professional experiences play a crucial role in shaping effective, people-centered leadership. This week, Maure Creager, the Director of Circular Economy at CertainTeed, discusses how her varied background has enabled her to successfully transition into the asphalt pavement industry. She offers valuable advice for professionals aspiring to leadership roles, highlighting the importance of s...

Adam Tarnow didn’t plan to become a leadership expert—but his curiosity and drive to be a better boss led him to coach hundreds of professionals to become leaders others want to follow. This week, Adam helps us break down three essential traits every leader needs—and how asphalt pavement professionals can apply them to lead teams, projects, and companies more successfully. He highlights the import...

Successful leadership isn’t just about making decisions—it’s about building healthy relationships within and outside your organization. For this week’s episode, Audrey Copeland returns to the studio to lead a conversation with Christine Shaw, President and CEO of Naylor Association Solutions, a company that has partnered with NAPA for over 20 years. Together, they explore how partnerships, humilit...