The ISSA Board of Directors met on October 4 in Auburn, Alabama, to review and direct the business of the association and, jointly with the Board of Directors of the Asphalt Emulsion Manufacturers Association (AEMA), toured the facilities at the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT). 

During the tours of NCAT, ISSA and AEMA Board members visited the NCAT laboratory where they viewed a presentation and toured the NCAT Test Track, the low-volume test sections at Lee County Road 159 and the high-volume test sections on US-280.

With a presentation by Assistant Director Buzz Powell and tours led by Assistant Research Professor Adriana Vargas, whose primary work involves the Pavement Preservation Group Study, the Boards learned of the progress to date of the Pavement Preservation Study and were able to witness the current status of test sections first hand. 

ISSA Past President Tim Harrawood, Vance Brothers Inc., provided additional background information as Vance Brothers was the contractor for the pavement preservation related test sections. In addition, he shared a presentation during the Board Meeting on the MnROAD test sections from the recent NCAT/MnROAD Fall Sponsor meeting.

FP² Executive Director Jim Moulthrop also joined the ISSA Board and NCAT Tour – FP² provides funding for the NCAT Pavement Preservation Group Study utilizing contributions from ISSA and other members. He shared information with the Board on FP²’s three primary focuses: advocacy, research, and communication.

During the Board of Directors meeting, President Rex Eberly shared that ISSA continues to be financially healthy and membership is growing.  The Board approved a draft budget for 2019 that includes strategic items such as development of combination treatment web-based training, work with FHWA on delivery of webinars, revisions to the Inspector’s Manual, and more.

The meeting included a review of progress to date toward strategic plan goals with several major goals having been accomplished in 2018 including: the launch of RoadResource.org, the development of the Latin American Pavement Preservation Workshop, and the continued success and growth of the ISSA Slurry Systems Workshop.

Of note, the Board of Directors, after the success of the free trial for ISSA Government members, voted to eliminate the membership dues for ISSA Government members.  Beginning immediately, new Government members will not be required to pay dues when joining and renewing Government members will be notified that no payment will be required for renewal.

Significant discussions were held regarding the ISSA rebranding project, with Board members hearing some of the research conducted by Vario Consulting and answering some key questions regarding the association’s identity to assist in the development of a revitalized brand.

In addition to the Board Meeting, the committee revising the ISSA Inspector’s Manual had a session in Auburn to work towards completing updates in preparation for publication of a revised ISSA Design and Inspector’s Manual in 2019.

The Board will next meet this coming February during the Annual Meeting in Cancun, Mexico.