November 21, 2023

How To Drive Safely This Holiday Season

(Featured Photo by Thom Holmes on Unsplash)

The holiday season is upon us, which means sitting for prolonged periods in the car. Whether it is traveling to visit loved ones or attend a festive event, safety behind the wheel should be a priority. During the holiday season, adverse weather conditions, heightened traffic, and various distractions can call for challenges on the road. Holiday events and celebrations should be a joyous time for friends and family, but these celebrations can quickly turn into a tragic event if we are not being mindful. AAA predicts there will be 55.4 million people traveling (including more than 49 million Americans driving) between the Wednesday before Thanksgiving (November 23) and the Sunday after the holiday — making this the third-busiest Thanksgiving travel period in more than two decades. This season lets us make a commitment to road safety, the wellbeing of ourselves, our passengers, our hard-working road crews and fellow motorists.  

Here are simple ways you can stay safe on the roads this holiday season: 

  • Do not drink and drive. Do not drive when you are impaired, and do not allow your family members or friends to drive while impaired either. Designate a sober driver, call a taxi, or use a ride share service to protect yourself and others on the road. 
  • Inspect your vehicle. Take the time to ensure all of your lights are working and all fluid levels are normal. Check your tires, tire pressure, headlights, taillights, brake lights, and tag lights. 
  • Map out the route. Plan your route ahead of time and be aware of how projected weather conditions may affect your travels. 
  • Click it or ticket! Ensure you and your passengers are properly restrained in seat belts and car safety seats. 
  • Avoid fatigue. Ensure you receive a good night’s rest before driving, take breaks. If you begin to feel tired, share the driving or pull off the road to a rest area.  
  • Have an emergency plan. It is important to have a cell phone and charger with you in case of emergency situations. Keep emergency roadside assistance information on hand. 
  • Do not text and drive. Keeping your full attention on the road is important to ensure your and other motorists’ safety. If you need to use your cellphone, utilize a hands-free device. 
  • Keep a safe driving distance. A safe driving distance allows for ample time to react to traffic around you. If someone is tailgating you, allow them to pass and do not try to compete with impatient, aggressive drivers.  
  • Watch your speed. Do not go over the speed limit (especially in work zones) and give yourself plenty of time to arrive at your location. 
  • Remain calm. If you begin to feel stressed or irritable, take deep breaths and maintain your patience. If you drive with road rage, it compromises the safety of yourself and fellow drivers. 

Happy holidays, and safe travels from the AMI team! 

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Naarah HollowayCommunity, Industry News
August 2, 2023

Higbie and Jenkins Join the 2023-2024 LEAP Class 

Asphalt Material’s Sales Representative Nate Jenkins and Heritage Research Group’s Senior Asphalt Research Chemist Campbell Higbie have joined the 2023-2024 LEAP Class. Nate Jenkins is a member of the Asphalt Materials, Inc. (AMI) sales team and has worked with the company since January 2014. Campbell began his career at The Heritage Group (THG) when he joined the Heritage Research Group (HRG) in March 2016 as a lab technician for the asphalt emulsion lab. In 2018, Higbie moved into a research and innovation role with HRG. This has allowed him to help AMI develop novel approaches in asphalt applications, specifically with emulsions.  

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Naarah HollowayCompany News, Our People
June 14, 2023

Sara Pieroni Emphasizes the Importance of Blood Drives 

Donating blood is an incredibly important and life-saving act of kindness. It can help save the lives of those in need. Blood donations help to replenish the blood supply, and may help those who are critically ill, an accident victim, someone having surgery, or receiving a transplant. Our very own Sara Pieroni was a transplant recipient in 2022 and therefore has firsthand knowledge of how important blood donations can be.  

I will say this is what helped me when I had my transplant. I was getting blood infusions weekly for a month or so, and sometimes 3-5 times a day. This is awesome! Thanks for sharing how important it is to give blood if you can, you never know whose life you are saving and helping. I am SO very blessed to have a company that supports this and makes it easy for people to contribute. I never realized how important and HOW MANY people depend on blood from the banks. My whole entire family — aunts, uncles, and cousins — are all regular donors now. 

Thank you, TEAM AMI! 

#AMIThankful 

– Sara Pieroni 

Our team partners with Versiti Blood Centers for our quarterly blood drives in 2023, and the first was held on March 21, 2023. The AMI blood drives have positively affected our community. In 2022 we saved over 1,000 lives and since the start of the AMI Blood Drive in 2020, we have saved over 3,000 lives. Our goal this year is to save 1,500 lives.  

To learn more about how you can get involved, visit: www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/ 

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Naarah HollowayCommunity, Our People
June 13, 2023

Janik Reveals Employer Brand Insights at AEMA Annual Meeting 

Industry Leaders Gather to Share Best Practices 

Litchfield Park, Arizona. Thursday, March 2, 2023 

The future of our industry was at the forefront at the annual Asphalt Emulsion Manufacturers Association (AEMA) meeting. Experts spoke on innovative topics that provided opportunities for members to improve their businesses, keep up to date on best practices, and connect with colleagues from across the industry. During the event, there were opportunities to recognize individuals and teams for excellence in asphalt recycling & reclaiming. 

Heritage Construction and Materials’ (HC+M) Chief Talent Officer Kierstin Janik was a featured presenter at this event. Several highlights of her presentation are noted below. 

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) projects there will be approximately $550 billion of new infrastructure investments over the next decade. These projects will potentially create 3.2 million new jobs across the non-residential construction value chain. It is estimated that somewhere between 300,000 to 600,000 new construction workers are needed to fill the gap with projected peak needs in 2027-2028. 

In Indiana alone, there are predictions of 140,000 construction job openings by 2026 with more than 19,000 of those being highway construction jobs. 

One of the most important activities we should always remember is the importance of creating a positive work environment. The different aspects of a positive environment can include: 

  • Creating meaningful work 
  • Good work / life balance 
  • Investing in people 
  • Providing learning and development opportunities 
  • Creating a strong culture where inclusion and belonging matter 
  • Sharing of ideas about success stories and celebrating wins 

Being a Part of Women of Asphalt 

What inspired me to join WOA, and how has your involvement impacted your career in the industry? 

As a leader and talent professional, my involvement with Women of Asphalt is important to me on many levels.  I am highly committed to increasing diversity of all kinds in our construction and materials industry.  As businesses and an industry, we can’t afford not to!  To do that it is critical that women see our industry as a place where they belong and can thrive.  Women of Asphalt plays an important role in creating awareness to attract women into our industry as well as making resources and support accessible to women so that they can truly thrive.  

Personally, Women of Asphalt has helped me to connect with other talented women who are not only impressive in their respective functions – They are dedicated to this same mission.  They inspire me in so many ways! 

Kierstin Janik 

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Naarah HollowayOur People