VAA Virginia Asphalt Spring/Summer 2021

VAASPHALT.ORG 07 It’s easy to talk about the past, and it’s hard not to discuss the effects of COVID-19. However, at some point, we must move forward. As the writer Warren Wiersbe wrote, “You do not move ahead by constantly look- ing in a rearview mirror. The past is a rudder to guide you, not an anchor to drag you. We must learn from the past, but not live in the past.” Dealing with COVID-19 has been a novel experience. To survive, we learned to be agile organizations, handle innovation and technology, and look at threats to our businesses in ways we never thought of before. I am incredibly proud of what we, as an industry and association, have accomplished in the past year. We have innovated, kept our people safe, and “Kept Virginia Moving.” While the past is important, we must focus on moving forward. The technologies that thrived under COVID will not be relegated to the past but will be utilized to continue further advancements in our operations. They will become part of the way we do business as we look to tomorrow and beyond. While we can be reverent about the past, we must look to the future, and I am excited about what I see. One bright light is the growth of the Richard J. Schreck Scholarship fund. In 2021, the association will be capable of awarding over $70,000 in scholarships. This is over a 25 percent increase from what we awarded in 2019 and 2020. Amazingly, in the times we faced, our members’ and non-members’ generosity did not waiver. These scholarships are critical financial aid to deserving students who may be part of this great association and industry one day. Another move towards the future is VAA’s partnership agreement with the Women of Asphalt. As part of that partnership, VAA will establish a Women of Asphalt commit- tee that will work with the board, member- ship, and the National Women of Asphalt organization to “create a community of support and advocating for women in the asphalt workforce.” This is an opportunity for all hardworking women in our industry David M. Horton, Division Manager, Virginia Paving Company CHAIRMAN’S PERSPECTIVE Focus on the Windshield, Not the Rearview Mirror to become more involved with VAA, create a network of support and development within the industry, and help support Women of Asphalt branches all over the United States of America. VAA also continues to plan for the future of the association. At our retreat in September 2020, the board of directors created a new Long-Range Planning Committee that will focus on the association’s direction for the next ten years. This committee will focus on finding and growing opportunities to continue to build on our guiding principles of Represent, Connect, Educate, and Lead. Finally, I can’t wait for the Annual Meeting this summer at the Greenbrier. The one thing I have missed most in the last eighteen months is the personal interaction with our association members. Hopefully, it will be a chance for all of us to finally get to see each other in person and continue to work towards our bright future. “No matter what’s behind us in the rearview mirror, it’s always about what’s next.” – Dabo Swinney While we can be reverent about the past, we must look to the future, and I am excited about what I see.