We take pride in honoring our veteran employees as part of our commitment to showing appreciation for their service. Today, we are excited to spotlight Julie Mackey, a veteran and lab manager at our Marietta, Ohio, plant.
At Asphalt Materials, Inc. our commitment to innovation is at the heart of our process improvements and safety initiatives across all our facilities. A prime example of this is our mill automation and operator-free loading systems.
We are excited to feature Darin Wendt, who has dedicated thirteen years as a logistics manager!
Before working at Asphalt Materials, Darin worked as a fleet manager for a large feed mill servicing areas in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota. His job as a fleet manager provided him with many transferable skills that he now applies in his current position.
Darin currently works at our Portage, Wisconsin, location at H.G. Meigs, LLC. He enjoys seeing AMI products being implemented in projects, from distributor crews spraying emulsion with chip seal or drivers hauling product to customers.
Darin oversees a team of truck drivers and mechanics at both our Portage and Abbotsford, Wisconsin, locations. He also leads the staffing and execution of our Meigs Advantage & Transport operations. It is important to him and his team that they get the loads of products delivered promptly and safely.
“Darin brings a lot to the table in our Wisconsin market when it comes to our logistics program,” said AMI Director of Logistics Tyler Trent. “He is always willing to hop in a truck himself to help deliver our business in times of need. I am happy to have Darin as part of our logistics team and proud of the impact he delivers in our Wisconsin market.”
Darin works closely with Plant Manager Garrett Barquist at the Eau Claire location and Plant Manager Brent Faber at the Abbotsford location. Together they help mitigate any potential problems and ensure there are enough resources available for customer orders.
At the Portage plant, Darin works closely with Business Delivery Manager Rachel Yates and Plant Operator Jerry Griffin.
“Rachel has a great relationship with many of our customers and can receive information on upcoming jobs that may require additional trucking while Jerry has been with Meigs for over 42 years and has an amazing ability to adjust on the fly,” said Darin. “With one phone call our dispatch board can change dramatically, and Jerry can sort everything out calmly and methodically. We have a great team at Meigs, from our awesome mechanics to our dedicated drivers everyone is willing to step up to the plate when it’s their turn.”
“Darin is a quiet but powerful force behind our logistics in Wisconsin, and his knowledge and experience make him a clear standout on the team,” said Heritage Construction + Materials Compliance Manager Samantha Komperda. “What I have enjoyed most about working with him is his straightforward approach to sharing knowledge and his dedication to boldly advocating for the group he leads. Because of his hands-on experience in transportation and logistics, he is uniquely situated to make sense of the issues the logistics team faces and continues to share his experience in a way that drives the entire team forward.”
Over the years, Darin learned that adapting to changing circumstances and responding quickly are great skills. He has also learned never to underestimate experience and to learn from the people who are doing the work. What drives Darin most in his career is his family, his wife Kelly and son Brock.
Darin Wendt’s dedication and expertise have significantly impacted our logistics team. We look forward to seeing his future accomplishments and the continued success he will bring to the organization. Thank you, Darin, for your outstanding contributions and unwavering dedication!
Asphalt Materials, Inc. (AMI) solves customer problems by identifying the goals and parameters of their project and developing a solution to fit their needs. We are excited to tackle our industry’s biggest challenges with new and inventive solutions that will mean better, safer and longer-lasting and sustainable roads.
Asphalt Materials has maintained a positive relationship with Coburn Place Safe Haven since 2022. We have partnered with Coburn Place to host clothing drives, organize Christmas wish lists for the children, volunteer at their facility and more. We are pleased to have a great relationship with Coburn Place and support this organization through yearly initiatives.
The new year brings a brand-new LEAP (Leadership Education for Asphalt Preservation) class for 2024-2025. The LEAP program is intended for AEMA (Asphalt Emulsion Manufacturers Association) members looking to increase their knowledge of the asphalt emulsion industry. It is a 12-month immersive program that allows members to immerse themselves in the asphalt industry through facility/jobsite tours and other key learning opportunities. The classes kick off during the annual AEMA, ARRA and ISSA meetings and conclude at the meeting the following calendar year.
Asphalt Materials’ very own Kim Gessner was named Class Dean for this year’s LEAP program. Zach Robinson and Jordan Vaughn, members from our division of companies under The Heritage Group, are also participants in this year’s program.
National Safety Month is held every June to help reduce workplace injuries and deaths in the United States. In 1996, the National Safety Council designated June as National Safety Month. This year marks 28 years of safety awareness brought by thousands of companies worldwide. Safety is apart of everything we do here at AMI, therefore it is an integral campaign for our company.
In road maintenance, securing funds for upkeep and improvements is a constant struggle as budgets grow even tighter. That is why it is crucial to protect your pavement early with the use of a rapid penetrating emulsion (RPE) like AMIGUARD™.
Traditionally agencies have waited for oxidation and cracking to occur in new pavements before treating roads with crack or chip seals. Using a treatment like RPE before roads begin to deteriorate can lead to longer-lasting roads. The Dodge County Highway Department recently applied AMIGUARD on seven highways immediately after paving as a preventive treatment.
Sustainability is crucial for preserving our planet and natural resources. By building a sustainable future, we can reduce pollution and protect our people, planet and communities. That is why at Asphalt Materials, Inc. we promote sustainable practices at all our locations in the Midwest. At each of our locations, there is a sustainability champion who leads sustainability initiatives and educates employees on sustainable practices. Several champions have shared their current sustainable actions within their respective locations.
Are frequent accidents happening due to the deteriorating condition of your roads? There are funds for you, your county and state to utilize to enhance road conditions and reduce fatalities. These funds are called Highway Safety Improvement Program funds (HSIP).
The Highway Safety Improvement Program is a Federal-aid program to reduce traffic fatalities on all public roads, including non-state-owned roads and roads on tribal land. HSIP funds are eligible for any highway safety improvement project on any public road or publicly owned pedestrian/bicycle pathway or trail.
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