VAA Virginia Asphalt Spring/Summer 2021

28 SPRING/SUMMER 2021 THE NEXT CHAPTER... Dennis O’Connor, Virginia Paving Company and Ron White, Superior Paving Corp. Retire Life has been described as a series of chapters in a book. Each chapter has a focus. For over 40 years, Dennis’ and Ron’s chapters have included raising families, running companies, and devel- oping future leaders. Now their next chapter focuses on retirement! To honor each of them properly, we asked people close to them to contribute to these articles. Dennis O’Connor As a new graduate of the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, with a bachelor’s degree in business administra- tion and economics, Dennis began his highway construction career in 1972 with the Rea Construction Company in Char- lotte. His career moved rapidly from quality control to asphalt plant management to operations cost engineering. In 1991, he was named Vice President of Rea Construction Company’s Virginia operations. In 1997, he moved on from Rea and took on the duties of Executive Vice President with B. P. Short & Son Paving, Inc. In 2005, with the acquisition of Rea Construction by LANE Construction Company, Dennis returned to Rea/LANE to aid in the transition of these two large companies. In 2010, he returned to Virginia to direct LANE’s Virginia Paving Company operations in Central Virginia and Hampton Roads. At various points in Dennis’ career, he was an active part of the Virginia Asphalt Association. He was a member of the board of directors at one time or another, repre- senting each of Rea, BP Short, and Virginia Paving Company. In 2015, Dennis was named Chairman of the VAA Board of Directors. Dennis has spent his entire professional career in the asphalt industry and has seen a lot of changes, but he summed it up best when he said, “While I have seen many types of technological improvements aid our industry in quality, efficiency, and safety, this industry really is a people business.” Dennis’ closing thoughts on his career and message to the association as he moves to the next chapter of his life: “I have devoted my career to the successful growth and development of my teams in Virginia and the Carolinas. It is through the guidance, training, leadership, and friendship of others (many are in this association) that fostered my success in this industry. I want to say THANK YOU to all of you.” We salute you Dennis O’Connor and thank you!