ASPHALTopics | Summer 2014 | VOL 27 | NO3

LETTERS
FROM THE ED
by Doug Duke
Executive Director, OHMPA
A special tribute to those
who make it happen
As we approach the end of 2014, it occurs to me that we
haven’t had much time to pause and soak in the celebratory
milestone that is OHMPA’s 40th anniversary. Twelve months
ago, we might have predicted a different reality.
At that time, we were thinking about ways to improve the
profile and value of each of our events, polish up the look
and feel of Asphaltopics, our in-house publication, and
offer up a truly interactive and responsive new website.
To be sure, I believe we managed to do all of those things
this year.
But with OHMPA’s celebration of four decades of
promoting excellence in asphalt pavements, there
has also come many challenges.
Right out of the proverbial gate, one of the worst winters in
memory wreaked havoc on the province’s roads, especially
those in heavily trafficked urban centres, leading to a
lot of unanticipated negative press and misinformation
surrounding potholes. OHMPA was forced to go on the
defensive, responding to media calls to ensure people
understood what was really going on with our roads.
Meanwhile, there was a sort of upheaval at the homefront
as OHMPA’s staff started to turn over. Some opted for
new opportunities, some hung up their gloves, and
some started families. While it seems a somewhat foggy
memory now, there were moments during the front half
of 2014 when the association operated with less than half
its normal complement of staff. In a matter of months,
I went from being the new guy to being the seasoned
vet. It was a strange and oft-times difficult period.
I’m only just coming up on my own two-year anniversary
here at OHMPA. To say the very least, it’s been an
interesting ride. Along the way, I’ve met some fascinating
people, learned a whole lot about the wonderful world
of asphalt, and even managed to get out and put my
‘boots on the ground’ to see what the industry looks like
firsthand from a plant perspective and out on the road.
This is an association that should be very proud of what it
has accomplished over its 40 year history. Thanks in large
measure to the hard work and dedication of a long list
of volunteers, OHMPA enjoys a reputation for doing
good work in careful collaboration with a myriad
of stakeholders. It has done this under the careful
guidance of 36 presidents and countless board and
committee volunteers.
Many of those people have ‘returned’ so to speak to
help us with this special 40th anniversary edition of
Asphaltopics. To them, we say thank you; not only
for their willingness to help us out with some memories
from the past, but also for their leadership and vision
which has quite literally brought OHMPA to where it
stands today.
And I’d be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to thank those
people who made it easier for ME over the past several
months as we navigated this ship through some pretty
choppy waters. To OHMPA’s terrific staff – Sandy Brown,
Abigail Wright Pereira, Melinda Magee, Princess Buni and
Donovan Woods – thank you for all you do, often without
recognition, to ensure OHMPA’s continued success.
FALL 2014 7