ASPHALTopics | Spring 2014 | VOL 27 | NO 1

PRESIDENTIAL
POINTS
by Colin Burpee
President, OHMPA
Out with the old –
in with the new
According to the timeworn cliché, every dog has its day.
As I stare down the rapidly approaching end of my tenure
as the 35th president of the Ontario Hot Mix Producers
Association, I can say that I’ve certainly had mine. And
what a day it’s been!
To say the past year has been a whirlwind would be a bit
of an understatement. There’s been a lot of activity here
at OHMPA over the last 12 months. Now as I reach the
end of my presidential road, I can’t tell you how very
proud I feel to have been part of such a professional
and highly regarded organization during such a milestone
point in its storied history.
For 40 years, OHMPA has worked tirelessly as the voice
of authority on behalf of the asphalt producing industry
in Ontario. We’ve certainly come a long way since
our humble roots in 1974 when a group of passionate
industry leaders got together at an airport hotel to lay the
organizational foundations of OHMPA. I doubt any of the
men in the room that day could imagine that four decades
later, their efforts would lead to an association with over
120 members, five staff members and annual events that
consistently attract hundreds and hundreds of people.
I understand that our association has realized its success
as a direct result of the valiant efforts of all those who
came before me: the men in the room on that historic
day in 1974, the 34 presidents who have previously sat
in this position and, of course, the countless volunteers
who selflessly gave their time and attention to OHMPA’s
many committees and boards over the years. I also know
that success will continue under the careful watch of
those yet to come.
Speaking of which, it’s a great honour and pleasure to hand
the reins of our association over to the guy standing behind
me in line — Bentley Ehgoetz of Lavis Construction. You’ll
find a more fitting introduction to him on page 10 of this
issue. Those already familiar with Bentley will know he’s a
stand-up guy with a tremendous passion for our industry.
Those who haven’t had the good fortune to meet him
should make an effort to do so at an event this year.
A freshly minted president isn’t the only new thing you’ll
find around OHMPA these days. As I said, it’s been a busy
year and there have been a lot of things unveiled lately.
For starters, you might have noticed the new design of
the magazine you’re now holding in your hands. A redesign
of our association publication has been long overdue and
the capable OHMPA staff somehow made it happen over
the last couple of months. I think you’ll agree we’ve made
a significant improvement to Asphaltopics that has upped
the game on our stakeholder communications.
Also new is our recently re-launched website
(www.ohmpa.org) which has been designed with
modern mobile technology in mind. If you haven’t
checked it out yet, be sure to do so. There are a lot of
new features including a digital library of Asphaltopics,
volunteer spotlights and up-to-date industry news.
Another canine cliché says you can’t teach an old dog
new tricks. I feel good stepping down and giving
someone else an opportunity to learn those tricks.
This old dog is done!
Colin Burpee is the president of OHMPA for 2013 and
General Manager, Construction of Aecon Construction
and Materials Ltd.
SPRING 2014 5