Pave It Black: The Official Podcast of NAPA

Diverse professional experiences play a crucial role in shaping effective, people-centered leadership. This week, Maure Creager, the Director of Circular Economy at CertainTeed, discusses how her varied background has enabled her to successfully transition into the asphalt pavement industry. She offers valuable advice for professionals aspiring to leadership roles, highlighting the importance of surrounding oneself with diverse perspectives, learning from past experiences, and remaining authentic. Tune in to learn what it means to lead with humility and curiosity while promoting principles of the circular economy and sustainability in business. Episode sponsored by CertainTeed

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Adam Tarnow didn’t plan to become a leadership expert—but his curiosity and drive to be a better boss led him to coach hundreds of professionals to become leaders others want to follow. This week, Adam helps us break down three essential traits every leader needs—and how asphalt pavement professionals can apply them to lead teams, projects, and companies more successfully. He highlights the importance of being realistically optimistic when faced with challenges and how developing a personal brand can support your leadership aspirations. This episode will leave you with actionable ideas on how to lead with more clarity, empathy, and confidence.

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Successful leadership isn’t just about making decisions—it’s about building healthy relationships within and outside your organization. For this week’s episode, Audrey Copeland returns to the studio to lead a conversation with Christine Shaw, President and CEO of Naylor Association Solutions, a company that has partnered with NAPA for over 20 years. Together, they explore how partnerships, humility, and visibility shape effective leadership. Christine shares how great leaders acknowledge their blind spots, build strong teams, and seek continuous growth—both for themselves and the organizations they serve. Whether you're a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, this episode will challenge you to rethink leadership as a journey of learning, adapting, and giving as much as you receive.

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What role do values play in setting the direction of a company? During this week’s episode, we learn how Superior Paving’s focus on developing remarkable employees through excellence, partnership, integrity, and commitment (EPIC) has strengthened their company culture. With the help of David White, President of Superior Paving, we discuss how values aren’t just words on a wall, but a daily practice that shapes decision-making and leadership. Tune in to hear how leading with integrity, fostering self-awareness, and truly caring for your people can transform both businesses and the industry. 

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Creativity isn’t solely reserved for artists, it’s a critical skill that leaders can use to innovate, adapt, and thrive. This week, Richard and Brett welcome Josh Linkner – entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and jazz musician – to the studio to uncover how leaders can embrace their innate creative abilities. After an inspiring session at Annual Meeting, we dive deeper into Josh’s 5 Big Principles, learn personal stories of overcoming failure, and discuss the future of leadership. Listen for an inspiring conversation on thinking differently, fostering fear-free cultures, and the power of creativity. 

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This week, we sit down with NAPA President and CEO Dr. Audrey Copeland to discuss her journey from engineer to industry leader. Audrey shares insights on leadership transitions, the key qualities of successful leaders, and key moments that helped her succeed on her career path. She also discusses the importance of setting the right tone as a leader, making decisive choices, and embracing change. Tune in to hear her perspectives on fostering collaboration, leveraging peer networks, and ensuring long-term industry success.

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Season nine of Pave It Black returns and we're diving into the topic of leadership. To kick things off, we sit down with Pat Nelson, newly elected NAPA Chairman and President of Lehman-Roberts, a Granite Company. Pat reflects on his path from fieldwork to industry leadership, the role of mentorship, and why advocacy is essential for shaping the future of the asphalt pavement industry. Don’t miss this deep dive into what leadership looks like in action.

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In the final episode of Season 8, we pick up our conversation with Tim Kowalski and Laikram Narsingh from Wirtgen Group. We explore two innovative technologies changing the asphalt pavement industry: 3D paving and Cold Central Plant Recycling. We learn what these technologies are, how they were developed, and we share real-world examples of these technologies in action. Join us as we wrap up this season focused on Technology and the People Who Use It!

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For the penultimate episode of Season 8, we kick off the first half of a two-part conversation with Tim Kowalski and Laikram Narsingh from Wirtgen Group. During this conversation, Tim and Nars delve into the critical role of training and sustainability in asphalt paving. We explore how to help the workforce understand and adopt new technologies and discuss the retention challenges manufacturers are facing. Finally, we discuss how equipment technology can contribute to the sustainability goals of the industry and the steps contractors can take to join this movement.Episode sponsored by Wirtgen Group: https://www.wirtgen-group.com/en-us/

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This week, Richard and Brett explore the technology of wear parts. With the help of Brian Handshoe and Randy Barrington from Kenco Engineering, we break down what wear parts are, how this technology evolved, and where Kenco stands as an innovator in the field. From asphalt drums to auger blades, we’ll discuss specific examples of wear parts, including best practices for integration and maintenance to maximize equipment lifespan. Finally, we take a look at the future of wear part technology and discuss how wear parts contribute to the sustainability efforts of our industry.Episode sponsored by Kenco Engineering: https://www.kencoengineering.com/

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