WHAT'S NEXT ? The long-term direction of VAA (approved in 2022) is the primary focus in 2023. The Vision 2030 Implementation Team will make recommendations to the board of directors in three overarching areas – board and committee structure, membership structure, and staffing structure. Each area will take time and discussion before a final recommendation is presented. The outcome will be to have an association positioned to serve and reflect the asphalt industry of the future. While this work is ongoing, we will be involved in one of the biggest challenges facing industry and society – climate change. While asphalt is not a significant contributor to greenhouse gases compared to other construction and industrial products, the asphalt industry must continue to minimize its carbon footprint at plants and on projects. Asphalt is already the most recycled material in the world; using RAP in new mixes reduces carbon emissions by minimizing the use of virgin materials. Efforts will continue to increase the use of RAP and other materials in new asphalt mixes without jeopardizing performance. Emphasis will continue to utilize in-place recycling methods with asphalt surfaces to provide durable, safe, cost-effective, sustainable, resilient, and green pavements. Lobbying will continue to support legislation and initiatives that allow and aid companies in making capital investments for net-zero carbon asphalt. The factors leading to climate change did not occur overnight; working to undo them will take time. Finally, the world is getting much smaller. According to Blair Williamson’s “Men Who Pave” calendar, the global population in 1972 was 3.852 billion. At the end of 2022, population experts believe the world will have over 8 billion people. While not doubling like the global population, Virginia has added nearly 4 million residents in 50 years. Don’t believe me; go to NOVA, Hampton Roads, or New River Valley. Places that were once rural are now part of an urban heartbeat. Everyone is your neighbor, and you are everyone’s neighbor. As Virginia’s paving industry, we must work to promote and communicate the positive benefits of asphalt – economic, environmental, and employment, to our communities. We have a great story; let’s all tell it in 2023! Long TermDirection of VAA David Branscome, Jr., Branscome Paving Company, speaking at MAAE 2022 MAAE Exhibit Hall Branscome, Inc. accepting their 2021 Golden Lute Paving Award Luck Stone's winning foursome accepting the 2022 Asphalt Open trophy
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