ASPHALTopics | Spring 2018 | VOL 31 | NO 1

lack comes naturally
Manolis
by
No one has ever doubted that Steve
Manolis is committed to this industry.
That’s been unquestioned since the
beginning of his 21 years in the asphalt
paving business. It was only a matter
of time, then, before the general manager
at Coco Asphalt Engineering was officially
acknowledged for this fact.
Manolis is the 2017 recipient of the Bleeds
Black Award. The award is handed out by
OAPC to those who have demonstrated
exceptional commitment and passion to
the continuous improvement of asphalt
pavement throughout their career. The
award name refers to asphalt cement
coursing through the veins of the recipient.
It’s supposed to be a figurative reference,
but in the case of Manolis, some believe
it may be actually true.
“If anyone does bleed black, then it
probably is Steve,” jokes Donn Bernal,
General Manager, Yellowline Asphalt
Products Ltd. Bernal nominated Manolis
for the award. “He gets kidded for the
number of hours he puts in at work and
for all the association work he does. He
really has done a lot for this industry.”
Bernal says there is hardly a discussion
about asphalt when the Manolis name
doesn’t get mentioned. He says his
work is thorough and intensive, yet
always enthusiastic, a combination
that allows Manolis to push boundaries
and accomplish a great deal.
For instance, Manolis serves on the
Board of Directors of OAPC and chairs
its Environment Committee which
oversees and responds to the everchanging
regulations and standards the
paving industry faces. He has also been
on the Quality of Asphalt Pavement Task
Force and several other committees.
Steve Pecar
Specifically, Bernal says the work
Manolis has developed in the areas
of emissions and specifications, and
leading the discussion in these areas,
has been outstanding. “He never says
no to any task, plus he has his regular
job to do, and no matter what it is he
puts a lot of effort into everything he
does,” says Bernal. “When you put it
all together, Steve’s name comes out
on top.”
Manolis says he is deeply honoured to
receive this acknowledgement from the
industry, and believes the passion for
his work is what propels him forward.
He says his chemical background was
somewhat unique when he entered
the field, and his interest in polymer
science and emulsion chemistry has
Combustion-instrumentation specialists since 1969
WE MAKE HEAT
come in useful throughout his career.
This versatility and varied background,
combined with his experience, he
believes, gives him a different
perspective on the industry.
Manolis’ passion for his work extends
well beyond his personal goals. It
excites him when things come together
and he encourages those in the asphalt
industry to move in directions that
have long term benefits. As such, he
believes collaborative work is one of
the keys to the future. “What I have
seen in the last few years is the need
for people with different technical
backgrounds to come together and
collaborate with the goal of producing
roads that are built to last,” says
Manolis.
For those in the industry who know him,
it’s clear Steve Manolis will be bleeding
black for a long time.
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SPRING 2018 33