Before you get too excited about the title of my message in this edition of Virginia Asphalt magazine, I am not going anywhere, at least at the time of writing this article. Still, I do serve at the pleasure of the board! Those who know me well know I have a problem with patience and sitting still. I have not improved with age, like a fine bourbon or wine but instead have gotten worse. I find sitting behind a desk all day to be torture. Excluding the company, a five- or six-hour round of golf is brutal. Doing something because we have always done it seems self-defeating. Do you ask yourself the fundamental question—why are we doing this? I do. And I require my staff to do the same. If that question cannot be answered, it’s re-examined. Time is finite, as is our time to make a difference, or at least try to make a difference. We all have a purpose! Each year, VAA staff retreat to a location in Virginia and spend quality time together, away from the hectic office setting. With staff scattered across the Commonwealth, we see each other virtually more often than we see each other in person. A retreat brings us together unless a personal reason prevents someone from attending (i.e., David’s back or Caroline’s cat). One focus of the retreat is to ask that fundamental question—why are we doing this [activity]? The litmus test is simple—does our activity fulfill VAA’s Mission and Vision? If the activity does, then how can we do it better? If it doesn’t, then there better be an excellent reason for us to spend finite time on that activity. Then, there is the tougher situation—the activity does support the mission and vision of VAA, but should it be continued? In business terms, what is the Return on Investment for that activity? All activities involve a cost, but how do we measure the benefits? During this year’s VAA Board of Directors strategic retreat, staff presented several recommendations developed during the August staff retreat. Potential improvements to the future Mid-Atlantic Asphalt Expo and Safety Summit were presented. PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE Time for a Change Trenton M. Clark, P.E., President, Virginia Asphalt Association We outlined our thoughts on a possible 2026 Asphalt Seminars and Paving Symposium. And we recommended sunsetting Virginia Asphalt magazine after the Fall/ Winter 2024 edition. This was a tough recommendation to make. VAA has published this magazine for nearly a decade in one form or another. We have been blessed to have members, industry, VTRC, and VDOT partners in the production of this twice-a-year magazine. After each edition is released, we receive positive feedback on the articles. But those who produce magazines like Virginia Asphalt know they are time-consuming. The costs of magazine printing are increasing, and the revenue is decreasing. And while we get positive feedback, is there a way we can share this information more effectively? We believe the answer to that last question is “yes.” So, it is time to change how we share all the great things happening in Virginia. Technology is evolving, and so are we. Stay tuned. In closing, we truly appreciate all the partners and readers of Virginia Asphalt. It was a hard decision, but it was the right decision. Stay safe. The litmus test is simple—does our activity fulfill VAA’s Mission and Vision? If the activity does, then how can we do it better? If it doesn’t, then there better be an excellent reason for us to spend finite time on that activity. 08 FALL/WINTER 2024
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