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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 importance of the relationship between academic researchers and industry partners to ensure that scientific discoveries are practically applicable at the construction site. Tune in to learn more about the new era of collaboration driving the asphalt pavement industry. This season is sponsored by FleetWatcher by AlignOps.

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 importance of industry visibility and Marvin’s mission to document the life stories of the people who build our infrastructure. Whether you are a small contractor looking to scale or just curious about the trade, this episode offers practical insights into building a unique, long-term career in asphalt. This season is sponsored by FleetWatcher by AlignOps.

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 shared language, this episode delivers practical insights on asphalt innovation and job site technology you can apply right away. This season is sponsored by FleetWatcher by AlignOps.