Pave It Black: The Official Podcast of NAPA

Hosted by National Asphalt Pavement Association

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114

Latest episode

Sep 2026

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About the show

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.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

September 1, 202626 min

The AASHO Road Test: How One 1950s Study Revolutionized Pavement Design

This week we talk to Dr. Marshall Thompson of the University of Illinois and Kevin Burke of the Illinois Asphalt Pavement Association about the AASHO Road Test: a landmark research project that reshaped pavement design in America. Marshall shares firsthand memories from visiting the test as a university undergraduate, and both guests explain how the results influenced decades of AASHTO pavement design guidance. Tune in for a rare, detailed look at the research foundation underneath nearly every modern pavement design decision. This season is sponsored by FleetWatcher by AlignOps. Watch FleetWatcher in action . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

August 25, 202630 min

Celebrating the Mother Road: Route 66 Turns 100!

As Route 66 celebrates its centennial, we welcome Dan Lewis, Executive Director of the New Mexico Asphalt Pavement Association, and Mike Skinner, Executive Director of the Asphalt Pavement Alliance, to explore the road's remarkable staying power. Dan and Mike share how the roadway drove economic growth in local towns, how it survived decommissioning in 1985, and why perpetual pavement design has kept the road alive. It's a celebration of a road, and the pavement engineering behind it, that has become inseparable from the American story. This season is sponsored by FleetWatcher by AlignOps. Watch FleetWatcher in action . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

August 18, 202625 min

The National Road: The Story of America’s First Federally Funded Highway

Long before interstates and highway funding debates, there was the National Road. Brian Reedy, Site Manager for the National Park Service at Fort Necessity National Battlefield and Friendship Hill National Historic Site, traces the road's origins and shares stories of Washington's earliest expeditions into the Ohio River Valley. Brian walks through the road's engineering evolution, from winding foot paths to a 66 foot right of way built using the Macadam system. Tune in to hear stories of the taverns, stagecoach stops, and travelers who depended on it.This season is sponsored by FleetWatcher by AlignOps. Watch FleetWatcher in action . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

August 11, 202620 min

America before Asphalt: Peter Norton Shares How We Moved Before Roads

To kick off Season 11, "How Asphalt Shaped America and What Comes Next," we start by looking back at American infrastructure before asphalt even arrived. With the help of historian Peter Norton of the University of Virginia, we explore how goods and people moved across the US in the 1700s and 1800s and how asphalt beat other surface materials to become America's chosen surface. Tune in for a conversation that blends transportation history, industry evolution, and forward-looking insight into what maintaining our infrastructure will require in the years ahead. This season is sponsored by FleetWatcher by AlignOps. Watch FleetWatcher in action . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 21, 202627 min

Finding the Silver Lining: Turning Challenges into Purpose and Growth with Dwayne Edmonson

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 both professionally and personally. Our season concludes with a reminder that success is not just about technical skills, it’s about how you approach each day, how you respond to adversity, and how willing you are to grow. This season is sponsored by FleetWatcher by AlignOps . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 14, 202623 min

Exploring Advanced Asphalt Technologies with Forbes 30 Under 30 Honoree Noor Saleh

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 lifecycle through automation and advanced data analysis. Beyond technical innovations, Noor offers practical advice for early career engineers on the value of finding mentors and being an engaged mentee to drive meaningful impact. Be inspired by someone who is actively pushing the industry forward! This season is sponsored by FleetWatcher by AlignOps . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 7, 202621 min

Building Better Roads Starts With Training: Todd Mansell on Elevating Asphalt Quality

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 understanding of the fundamentals. This episode also explores how technical expertise translates into real-world impact, along with the many career paths available in the asphalt pavement industry. Tune in to hear practical insights from someone who has spent a career helping others build better roads. This season is sponsored by FleetWatcher by AlignOps . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

March 31, 202626 min

America’s First Superhighway: Leading the Pennsylvania Turnpike with Mark Compton

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 expansion of a statewide fiber optic network, and the launch of an internal Innovation Council designed to empower the next generation of engineers. Tune in for valuable insights on transportation leadership and a forward-looking view of the future of mobility. This season is sponsored by FleetWatcher by AlignOps . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

March 24, 202618 min

How Real Time Data Improves Safety and Efficiency with Tyler Hackman

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 truck queues, and eliminate the learned behaviors caused by a lack of data. We also dive into the practical challenges of technology implementation and the importance of top-down leadership. Tune in to find out how data solutions can improve your paving operations. This season is sponsored by FleetWatcher by AlignOps . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

March 17, 202623 min

The Many Roads to Asphalt: Breaking into Asphalt Without an Engineering Background with Lauren SeBlonka

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 how international collaboration and diverse perspectives accelerate progress. For professionals considering a career change, this episode offers practical advice on overcoming the intimidation of entering a technical industry. This season is sponsored by FleetWatcher by AlignOps . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.