ACPA Concrete Pavement Progress Quarter 3 2020

www.acpa.org Quarter 3, 2020 7 C O V E R continues on page 8 » P olitician, diplomat, and Harvard pro- fessor Henry Kissinger said, “The task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been.” These words are a good way to describe the unprecedented and unexpected challenges that Greg McCormick of Northern Improvement Company has taken on as ACPA’s 2020 Chairman of the Board. When Greg accepted the gavel as ACPA’s top volunteer leader last December, his primary goal was to lead ACPA in its advancement of a state- by-state promotion plan, which began inmid-2019. He also set a goal of leading the Association in redefining and implementing a new committee and task force structure. But no-one could have predicted the unexpected and daunting challenge of leading the Association through the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is arguably one the worst crises to impact the nation in recent memory. Like most industries, the concrete pavement industry has faced enormous headwinds associated with the pandemic. Quali- fied as an essential businesses, ACPA members have rolled up their sleeves and worked every day despite the questions, unknowns, and added safety concerns. Following suit, Greg and his colleagues on the ACPA Board and staff, have led the associa- tion calmly, steadily and with a sharp focus on not only adapting to, but also succeeding in what has been called the age of safe distancing. Although the pandemic has had a wide range of differing impacts throughout the country, Greg, with support fromACPA staff, has kept close tabs on members to understand the personal views, as well as to assess the impacts to companies and the overall industry. While the impacts in some areas are significant, there are areas where the impact of COVID-19 has been minimal. Even so, Greg says it’s important to ACPA to maintain this outreach and keep the lines of communications open with members. By Bill Davenport