ASPHALTopics | Summer 2014 | VOL 27 | NO3

1974-1978 1979 1980 1981
1982 1983-84 1984
1985
1986
In their own words
OHMPA has had 36 presidents since it was formed in 1974.
Here’s what they had to say about the key issues of the day.
Compiled by LARA HENRY
1974 to 1978 John (Ed) deToro, Toro Asphalt
Current Status: Semi-retired and living in Richmond Hill, Ontario
We had a very specific objective when we formed OHMPA. It was the time
of the Arab oil embargo and hot mix producers and paving contractors were
under a lot of pressure. We won on two fronts: we got relief from a PST tax
increase of three per cent from previous years and we got asphalt cement
price relief from the municipal carry over work.
I don’t think that when we had those first meetings, any of us realized that
we were actually creating an industry association that would become such
a thriving organization all these years later.
(Ed DeToro is widely credited as the driving force behind the formation of
the Ontario Hot Mix Producers Association in 1974. He was president of the
association for five years and is an Honorary Lifetime Member of OHMPA.)
1979 Kenneth Rowe,
Consolidated Sand and Gravel
(deceased)
1980 Michael J. O’Connor, Repac
Current Status: Retired and living in Burlington
At the time I was the youngest president of OHMPA, which was probably
no coincidence.
OHMPA was getting a bit tired and it needed a shot of youthful enthusiasm
and energy. The oil price issue had been put to bed and the organization
had been languishing. My boss at Repac, Val Raponi, decided that as his
new young and energetic marketing manager, I was the perfect candidate
to put OHMPA back into a more active mode.
My task was to set OHMPA on a new path, using the strength of the
organization to promote hot mix asphalt as the material of choice for
pavements. It was a time consuming task and one that I couldn’t have
completed without the help of people like Ken Rowe and Don Budd and
Russ Daigle, but it became our main focus and remains one of OHMPA’s
key objectives to this day.
1981 Douglas McLeish, Fermar Asphalt
Current Status: Owner of Kontiki Landscaping, Schomberg, Ontario
The year I was president, the price of asphalt cement doubled over the winter.
My biggest challenge was meeting in government chambers, which seemed
to be weekly, to try to resolve this issue for all our members who had to fulfill
the contracts they had bid at half the price.
Through hard work and persistent dedication, I and our committee
members were able to bring this issue to a satisfactory conclusion which,
of course, helped make OHMPA an association to be reckoned with and
earn a respected place in the industry.
1982 Donald E. Budd, Warren Bitulithic
Current Status: Retired and living in Oakville
One of the big issues was the lack of consistency in asphalt testing.
Each testing company seemed to have different equipment and procedures.
We formed a technical committee to establish a certification program for
asphalt laboratories and testing companies.
(Don Budd is an Honorary Lifetime Member of OHMPA.)
1983/84 Earl Kee, Red-D-Mix
(deceased)
OHMPA was starting to gain popularity and with it a few new members.
Our biggest challenge was to establish the credibility of the association
in the industry.
Provided in 2004 for the 30th anniversary issue.
1984 Peter Anderson, Ambro Construction
(deceased)
At the time, the association was still a part time organization and there
weren’t any pressing issues, but for me being connected to a great group
of people was what was most memorable.
Provided in 2004 for the 30th anniversary issue.
1985 David Semley, Hard Rock Paving
Current Status: Construction Industry Consultant