What's New with ISSA Technical Director Bob Jerman- May 2024

It’s that incredibly busy time of year for everyone as, depending on your location, you’re either kicking off the paving season, about to kick off the season, or already well under way with initial projects.  The expectations are lofty and the challenges are numerous.  It’s definitely a time of year that’s met with mixed emotions, both excitement and a sense of being overwhelmed.  It’s what makes us so passionate about being part of this industry.

Speaking of excitement, we’re on the verge of launching the first new ISSA Technical Bulletin in quite a long time.  Based on feedback and multiple conversations with ISSA members and industry professionals over the last 12 months, we have moved forward with a technical bulletin to define a procedure for evaluating the deep dish cohesion test.  For those of you that are not familiar with this test, it is a great differentiator between micro surfacing and other quick set slurry surfacing systems, showing a true chemical break and providing a great indicator of traffic readiness for the multi-stone thick lifts used in micro surfacing. 

Our plan is to make this a “provisional” bulletin, gathering input from the industry for a yet-to-be-determined period of time (stay tuned) before establishing target values to use as recommended requirements for test results at specific time intervals in ISSA A143, our micro surfacing Guideline.  Once that has been determined, this technical bulletin will move to “standard” status.  As of this writing, the bulletin has been completed and given an identity, “ISSA TB No. 141, Test Method to Determine Traffic Readiness of a Micro Surfacing System by Deep Dish Cohesion”. Our goal is to release it to the industry for use and feedback by the end of June.  Keep your eyes open for the announcement regarding its release.

Regarding my earlier comment about mixed emotions, it is with both appreciation and thankfulness for the opportunities and for friends made while ISSA’s Technical Director over the last 16.5 years, as well as with anticipation for what lies ahead, that I announce the end of my time as Technical Director.  I have been blessed in more ways than words can describe.  As of June 30th, my time of service as ISSA’s Technical Director will end. 

The role and responsibilities of ISSA’s Technical Director will transfer to Chris Hollenback of the Heritage Research Group.  Many of you already know Chris and have worked with him across this industry in various capacities.  Chris is currently serving as the Slurry Seal/Micro Surfacing Committee Chair, a member of the ISSA Technical Bulletin Review/Revision Team, and a member of ISSA’s Lab Technical Team.  He will be a great Technical Director and I know that all of you will join me in both welcoming Chris and supporting him in his new role with ISSA. 

In closing, let’s not lose touch!  I look forward to staying in touch with many of you, as often as needed.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out if there’s anything that I can do to help.  I’ll certainly miss the regular interaction that I’ve enjoyed so much over these many years.  

“Every day is a gift, never take a single one for granted!”

Thank You!
Bob Jerman