Agencies face significant challenges when pursuing a pavement preservation program. Equipment and material costs continue to rise, and local talent recruitment and retention are difficult. Yet, the Sheboygan County Transportation Department – Highway Division provides an excellent example of how to navigate these challenges and boldly steward public transportation infrastructure with remarkable success.
The Sorenson Award
In memory of beloved champion of pavement preservation, Jim Sorenson, FP2 Inc.’s James B. Sorenson Award for Excellence in Pavement Preservation recognizes superior pavement preservation practices of a local government agency, usually a city, township, county or state agency.
After decades of testing, J-Band®, the premier Void Reducing Asphalt Membrane (VRAM) from Asphalt Materials Inc. (AMI), is the proven innovation that dramatically reduces the age-old problem of longitudinal joint deterioration. Take a look back with us at one of the first projects to incorporate this game-changing asphalt product.
AMICYCLE Cold Pavement Recycling offers significant cost savings and lower environmental impact by utilizing existing materials and minimizing materials transportation. Within the AMICYCLE suite, there are three types of recycling processes: Cold In-place Recycling (CIR), Full Depth Reclamation (FDR) and Cold Central Plant Recycling (CCPR).
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States. It accounts for about 30% (or 1 in 3) of all new female cancers yearly. Even though it is more common in women, men can also develop breast cancer. About 1 out of every 100 breast cancer cases are found in men in the U.S. That is why spreading awareness is crucial in promoting early detection, educating people about prevention, and supporting fundraising efforts that drive research.
Join the movement! The Buckle Up, Phone Down campaign is a nationwide initiative aimed at promoting road safety by encouraging drivers to adopt two critical habits: always wear a seatbelt and put cell phones down while driving. This initiative first began in 2017 by the Missouri Department of Transportation. Since then, several states have adopted this initiative including Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, Louisiana and more.
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.”
Pictured from left to right are Darin Wendt, Derek Puhl, Jerry Griffin and Rachel Yates.
“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.
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