This year, ISSA had the honor to recognize the ISSA President’s Award for Large Project, over a million dollars, and Small Project, under a million dollars.

The President’s Award was established to recognize those contracting achievements that exemplify the highest standards of workmanship, materials, and adherence to best practices as defined by the International Slurry Surfacing Association.

This year’s ISSA President’s Award for Small Project is VSS International’s City of Bend’s 2023 Slurry Seal Program, where they applied more than 102,000 square yards of Type II slurry seal across 19 lane miles of residential and industrial streets. Conducted in Bend’s challenging high‑desert climate, marked by extreme temperature swings and snowplow wear, the project helped the City strengthen its pavement network of more than 900 lane miles. Through careful planning, neighborhood coordination, and strict safety and quality control, this preservation effort contributed to raising Bend’s overall PCI from 68 to 76, setting the community on a continued path toward long‑term pavement health.

VSS International is also the winner for the ISSA President’s Award Large Project for their Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Pavement Preservation Project, a two‑year, $17.7 million effort delivered across more than 70 miles of roadway in two of America’s most iconic national parks. VSS International placed 417,000 square yards of Type 3 micro surfacing — all completed at night to reduce visitor impact, and 820,000 square yards of Type 2 micro surfacing during daytime operations. Preparatory work included nearly 20,000 square yards of asphalt dig‑outs, 75 lane miles of crack sealing, patching, fog sealing, and updated pavement markings. This large‑scale preservation effort improved safety, ride quality, and durability while protecting sensitive natural environments visited by millions each year.

The next award presented was the ISSA Excellence in Pavement Preservation Award. This award honors agencies that have demonstrated long-term commitment to pavement preservation by successfully integrating ISSA technologies into their roadway management strategies for 12 or more years. These agencies exemplify innovation, sustainability, and stewardship – enhancing pavement performance, reducing life-cycle costs, maximizing limited budgets, and serving as leaders who educate, mentor, and advocate for preservation practices across the industry.

This year’s honoree, the City of Starkville Engineering Department, has built a comprehensive, data-driven program that has transformed how the city manages its 315 lane-mile network. Beginning in 2023, the City adopted a network-wide strategy – supposed by Civil-Link analysis, PASER ratings, and a range of ISSA-aligned treatments including rejuvenating scrub seal, highly modified micro surfacing, fog seal, and crack seal – to extend pavement life and significantly reduce long-term costs. Their approach yielded measurable success, adding an estimated 379 lane-mile years in 2024 alone while improving safety, durability, and overall pavement performance.

Beyond the technical achievements, Starkville stands out for its commitment to public communication and industry leadership. The city kept residents informed through signage, social media, and a dedicated pavement preservation landing page, and daily updates – setting a new standard for community engagement. They also shared their expertise broadly, co-hosting a regional bootcamp that brought together cities, counties, and engineering firms from across the region. Their dedication to innovation, transparency, and mentoring makes Starkville a true champion of pavement preservation and a deserving recipient of the ISSA Excellence in Pavement Preservation Award.

The 2026 ISSA Preservation Performance Award recognizes a Pavement Preservation Project Manager whose work demonstrates exceptional long-term performance and significantly enhances the quality, durability, and efficiency of a pavement network. The award celebrates leaders who champion preservations strategies, deliver measurable improvements in pavement condition, and set a high standard for innovation and performance across the industry.

This year was nominated by Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions, and goes to the Alabama Department of Transportation for their outstanding commitment to long-term pavement preservation – most notably demonstrated through their successful use of highly modified micro surfacing on Interstate 59. Beginning with their pioneering 2017 trial and extending through their major 2024 project treating an entire 18-mile stretch of I-59, the Alabama DOT has consistently proven the durability, safety benefits, and cost-effectiveness of this treatment. The results speak for themselves, improved surface friction, reduced raveling and oxidation, rapid return-to-traffic, and an expected 10-year extension of service life on one of Alabama’s most heavily traveled corridors.

Beyond performance alone, Alabama’s DOT has demonstrated exceptional leadership in research, innovation, and collaboration – working closely with contractors and suppliers to refine application techniques, evaluate long-term results, and expand the use of micro surfacing throughout the state. Their dedication to protecting drivers, maximizing budgets, and pursuing solutions that deliver lasting value makes them a standout recipient of the ISSA Preservation Performance Award.

The ISSA International Award was established in 2020, and recognizes contracting achievements that exemplify the highest quality of workmanship and strict adherence to ISSA best practices. It honors teams whose work not only meets international technical standards, but also elevates the global profile of slurry and micro surfacing excellence.

This year’s award goes to C.I. Manufacturas y Procesos Industriales Ltda. (MPI) for their groundbreaking micro surfacing project on Puerto Rico’s PR-3 Highway between Canóvanas and Carolina. As the first highway micro surfacing application ever performed in Puerto Rico, the project required introducing a new preservation technology, adapting local construction practices, and overcoming challenges including limited local expertise, sourcing specialized equipment, and developing a high-performance emulsion tailored to the island’s aggregate conditions. Despite these complexities, the team successfully restored skid resistance, corrected rutting, and enhanced long-term pavement durability on one of Puerto Rico’s busiest corridors.

What sets this achievement apart is its lasting impact. The project not only delivered a high-quality finished roadway but also established new technical capacity within the region. MPI’s collaborative effort – bringing together ISSA experts form the U.S. and Colombia, training local crews, and demonstrating excellence under challenging tropical conditions – embodies the spirit of international innovation and leadership this award celebrates.

The next award presented was the ISSA Agency Pavement Preservation & Sustainability Program Award. This award recognizes agencies that, for 12 or more years, have championed ISSA-aligned pavement preservation strategies to enhance pavement performance, reduce life-cycle costs, implement environmentally conscious treatments, and stretch limited budgets further for their communities. These agencies embody long-term commitment, innovation, and leadership in sustainable pavement management.

This year’s recipient is the New Mexico Department of Transportation, honored for its decades-long dedication to chip seal preservation as a cornerstone of its statewide pavement strategy. Serving more than 1,000 miles of roadway each year – much of its mountainous, rural, and vital to community access – New Mexico’s DOT performs all chip seal work in-house, reflecting great pride, ownership, and an ongoing commitment to quality. Their crews apply HFE-100P chip seals with precision, delivering durable surfaces that can reopen to traffic within just 2-3 hours, minimizing disruption for residents who often rely on single-lane roads.

Beyond technical excellence, NMDOT has built a culture that prioritizes safety, transparency, and continuous improvement. They maintain robust public communication tools, host internal Chip Seal Quality Awards to elevate craftmanship, and partner closely with industry experts to refine best practices. With nearly 40 years of ISSA chip seal use – including innovations like incorporating RAP aggregates and expanding statewide programs – NMDOT stands as a model for sustainable pavement preservation, community service, and long-term stewardship of public resources.

The final award presented was the Phil Tarsovich Lifetime Leadership award, which is presented at the discretion of the ISSA Board of Directors. This award honors individuals who have shown exceptional dedication to the pavement preservation industry throughout their careers.

Established in 2020, this award recognizes those with more than 25 years of experience in pavement preservation, significant contributions to ISSA through Committee and Board involvement, and a continued commitment to advancing the goals of this association.

The late Barry H. Dunn was honored with this award. He was instrumental in the industry and served as an ISSA Past President. Dunn’s wife, Diane, was in attendance along with his children, grandkids, and friends as he was recognized with this award.

ISSA would like to congratulate all the 2026 ISSA Award winners. ISSA encourages members to submit nominations for the 2027 Awards. More information can be found here, and submissions will start being accepted this summer.

A Strong Start: Networking and Industry Energy

The Workshop kicked off Monday evening with an opening reception at Cinebarre, giving attendees a chance to meet, reconnect, and set the tone for an engaging week ahead. The relaxed atmosphere allowed participants to build early connections with peers, exhibitors, and ISSA leadership.

Tuesday: Insights, Industry Leadership & Breakout Learning

Tuesday began with a series of high‑value presentations covering foundational and forward‑looking pavement preservation topics. Attendees heard from speakers such as:

• Dr. Andrew Braham – Pavement Preservation Overview
• Juvenio Guerra – Planning for Success
• An engaging Industry Panel discussion on RAP use in slurry systems brought industry expertise to the forefront, highlighting real-world experience, innovative approaches, and the future of pavement preservation. Panelists included: Jeff Roberts, Tim Harrwood, Jimmy Kendrick, Rich Wenthe, Tim Schmid, Rex Eberly, and Ryan Olson.
• The presentation of the ISSA President’s Awards — large and small project.

The afternoon marked the start of breakout sessions, giving attendees the opportunity to choose from three focused tracks:

Breakout Options –

1. Micro Surfacing & Slurry Seals
2. Crack Fill Treatments
3. Technical Track, featuring:

• Slurry Surfacing Performance Testing
• Aggregates & Aggregate Operations
• Emulsions in Pavement Preservation
• Mix Optimization

These sessions provided both foundational knowledge and advanced technical guidance, helping attendees deepen their understanding of best practices and quality control.

Wednesday: Application-Focused Learning & Hands‑On Training

Wednesday opened with a demo preview, followed by specialized breakout tracks:

Breakout Options –

1. Chip Seal
2. Inspection Track (Micro, Slurry, Chip Seal & Crack Fill)
3. Applications in Pavement Preservation, including:

• Use of RAP
• Troubleshooting Panel

Hands‑On Afternoon:

One of the most anticipated components of the workshop — the Contractor Showcase and Demo Day — took place Wednesday afternoon. Attendees observed slurry surfacing, micro surfacing, and chip seal treatments in action, gaining close‑up exposure to equipment, application techniques, and crew operations.

Thursday: Advanced Technical Training & Demo Tables

Thursday focused on technical mastery and real‑world application. Morning presentations included updates from:

• NCPP
• AASHTO
• NCAT
• ISSA Web‑Based Training

The day continued with breakout options and demo tables covering:

Breakout Options

1. Slurry & Micro Calibration & Record Keeping
2. Distributor & Chip Spreader Operation & Calibration
3. Demo Tables, featuring:

• Slurry Surfacing
• Micro Surfacing
• Lab Equipment
• Chip Seal
• Crack Seals

The afternoon wrapped with a Certification Exam Review for those preparing for NCPP credentials.

Friday: Certification Exam Day

The Workshop concluded with NCPP Exams, giving attendees the chance to earn or maintain key industry certifications that support professionalism, consistency, and quality results across pavement preservation projects.

The 2026 Slurry Systems Workshop would not have been possible without the support of our generous sponsors. A heartfelt thank you to the following:

• Monday Night Reception Sponsor: Talis Corporation
• Exhibitor's Reception Sponsor: Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions, Inc.
• Beverage Cart Sponsor: ViaSun Corporation
• Mobile App Sponsor: VSS International, Inc.
• Lanyard Sponsor: Crafco, Inc.
• Luncheon Sponsors: Pavement Preservation Group, Sunland Asphalt
• Luncheon & General Sponsor: Bergkamp, Inc.
• Break Sponsor: Western Emulsions
• General Sponsors:
  •  American Pavement Preservation
  • Arkema
  • BASF
  • Cactus Asphalt
  • Etnyre International
  • Forta
  • Geneva Rock
  • Ingevity
  • Intermountain Slurry Seal
  • Maxwell Products
  • McAsphalt Industries Ltd.
  • Nouryon
  • Paragon Technical Services, Inc.
  • Pavement Maintenance Solutions
  • AASHTO re:source
  • Slurry Pavers, Inc.
  • TRCC
  • Tymco
  • Vance Brothers
  • Viking Construction
  • VSS Macropaver

The session opens with the 2026 ISSA President’s Award‑Winning Presentation delivered by Matt Ferguson, showcasing notable contributions and achievements within the slurry and micro surfacing community. Following this, Andrew Braham will discuss the early years of the TREAT Mobile Lab, offering valuable observations from field‑based research aimed at improving treatment performance and data‑driven decision‑making.

Mid‑morning, attendees will hear from Dr. Goli Arunkumar on sustainable preservation practices through the use of 100% RAP micro surfacing and slurry seal – exploring how recycled materials can support agency goals while maintaining performance expectations. To close the session, Tim Harrawood will present highlights from Preservation Group Studies One and Two, sharing industry perspectives on treatment performance, long‑term outcomes, and opportunities for continued improvement in preservation strategies.

Throughout the week, ISSA will host several key meetings, including the Annual Business Meeting and Slurry Systems Workshop Committee Meeting on Thursday afternoon, followed by the Membership & Marketing Committee Meeting on Friday. These sessions offer members opportunities to stay updated on current initiatives, collaborate with peers, and support ongoing advancements within the pavement preservation industry.

ISSA encourages all attendees to participate in these events as the association continues working to drive innovation, strengthen best practices, and promote the value of slurry systems, micro surfacing, and seal treatments across the preservation sector. We can't wait to see you in Austin!

ISSA Member,

Your ISSA Board of Directors and I would like to thank you for your commitment and participation as a member of ISSA!

I hope this letter finds you well as we hit the home stretch of another busy and successful year. Your ongoing support and involvement in ISSA initiatives and activities are what drive continued growth and advancement for our industry. Our newly updated mission statement, “ISSA empowers industry, partners, and owners to cost-effectively and sustainably preserve and maintain pavements,” summarizes our association goals as we proceed into the future of the pavement preservation industry.

Member participation continues to be the key to our continued success! I would ask that you find ways to participate in as many ISSA activities as possible.One of the best values in membership is networking with and getting to know your fellow members by taking part in as many association meetings and activities as possible. Your association’s Board of Directors and committees decide how your association funds are spent and what initiatives we focus on. These groups are made up of other contractors and suppliers just like you who volunteer valuable time to help steer the efforts of the association and represent you.The best way to get the most out of your membership is to join in and help shape our plans for the future. Here are a few of the ongoing initiatives and the resources available to you:

• 2026 Slurry Systems Workshop – This workshop is the premier training and educational event in the pavement preservation industry. Registration is currently open! Your workshop committee has been hard at work updating and improving on an already stellar curriculum. If you have not attended before, please make plans to do so in 2026. To learn more and register, click here.
• 2026 AEMA-ARRA-ISSA Annual Meeting – All three associations will be meeting together once again to discuss and learn about the future of the pavement preservation industry and the current and future initiatives that drive it.Committee chairs from all 3 associations are hard at work preparing an engaging and interesting program. Regular registration ends January 30.
• AR DOT/FHWA/ISSA Web-based training – Arkansas DOT, FHWA, and ISSA subject matter experts have been meeting together with AP Tech to develop new web-based training modules for the various ISSA treatments and combination treatments. Once completed, these training modules will be a resource to teach best practices for all our disciplines to anyone involved in or interested in learning about pavement preservation.
• The ISSA Design and Inspection Manual for Slurry Surfacing Systems has been introduced as a mobile application that can be accessed easily on your phone or tablet. This is an invaluable resource for contractor field personnel, inspectors, and project designers, that can now be

  accessed easily in the field. This application is available to ISSA members through the “Members Only” portion of the ISSA website(https://slurry-manual.org/).

• ISSA representatives continue to meet regularly with our PPRA partners to update the RoadResource.org website with current information and improvements to the user tools. The goal is to keep this information and site as current and user friendly as possible, so that it can continue to be a valuable resource that promotes and improves the use of pavement preservation treatments.

• The ISSA Lab Technical Team is constantly reviewing and updating our Technical Bulletins and Guidelines to make sure they match up to “real world” current practices and provide clear guidance to industry partners in proper testing, design, and inspection procedures.
• We are currently collecting data from our contractors to support the development of Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), Product Category Rules (PCRs), and Environmental Product Declarations

  (EPDs) for our treatments. The goal is to eventually provide ISSA members with access to an EPD tool that meets future project requirements and highlights the sustainability benefits of our

  treatments. If your company is interested in contributing data to this effort, please contact us to learn more about how to get involved.

• The ISSA Technical Response Committee, headed up by our Technical Director, Chris Hollenback, is always available to assist with questions or issues through the “Ask an Expert” link on the ISSA Website (https://www.slurry.org/page/AskanExpert).
• ISSA Forum Calls, held several times throughout the year, are an opportunity to ask for technical assistance or simply discuss current issues and challenges facing you or your team, and see how others in the industry deal with similar situations or problems. The more attendees we have on these calls, the more industry experience we have to draw on as a group to help solve the problems we all face on a day-to-day basis.

Thank you for your continued commitment and dedication to our industry and ISSA! We are looking forward to continued growth and opportunity as we partner together in the coming year and beyond!!

Sincerely,

Jeff Roberts ISSA President

The International Slurry Surfacing Association (ISSA) invites you to join us for the 2026 Slurry Systems Workshop (SSWS), taking place January 19-23. This annual event is the ultimate training ground for industry professionals of all experience levels — combining technical education, hands-on demonstrations, and networking opportunities in one dynamic program.

Why Attend?

The SSWS is designed for contractors, engineers, agency representatives, and suppliers who want to deepen their knowledge of slurry surfacing, micro surfacing, chip seal, and other pavement preservation techniques. Whether you’re new to the industry or a seasoned pro, this workshop offers practical insights and certifications that can elevate your expertise and your business.

Chris Hollenback         

ISSA Technical Director

I hope that your new year is off to a great start, and I wish each of you a safe and productive year ahead.  These are exciting times for the pavement preservation industry as we continue to see growth in demand for our products and services throughout North America and International markets. ISSA is proudly starting this new year with a new mission statement:

ISSA empowers industry, partners and owners to cost-effectively and sustainably preserve and maintain pavements. 

This mission statement is our commitment to our membership, and it drives our decisions on how we spend our energy and resources to bring value to every member. 

As President of ISSA, it is my honor to recognize the outstanding contributions of outgoing President Brad Pearce. Brad’s dedication, leadership and service to our industry has been felt by our entire membership. In addition to Brad, I would like to thank ISSA’s current Board of Directors – Chris Oakes, Justin Guiles, Dave Welborn, Tim Harrawood, Jimmy Kendrick, Dave Kiser, Matt May, Fabio Mendez, Stan Williams, Technical Director Chris Hollenback, and our incoming Board Members Matt Teto and Jamie Wing.  I would like to convey the Board’s appreciation to Dave Welborn and Rolando Perez who are retiring from the Board this year for their contributions to our success.  I would like to personally thank Dave for his many years of service on the Board, including his service as Board President in 2023, and his friendship and mentorship throughout our many years in the industry together. 

I would like to give recognition to Jimmy Kendrick, Jamie Wing and all ISSA volunteers who participated in this year’s successful Slurry Systems Workshop in Las Vegas which had a record number of 484 registered attendees.  This was an amazing accomplishment. I can remember when we reached 100 workshop attendees in the late 1990’s which was a huge milestone at the time.  What a long way we have come as an industry. 

One of the Board’s biggest accomplishments of the past year has been the development and rollout of our 2025-2027 Strategic Plan.  The key components of this plan are as follows:

• Improve engagement with our members and provide better access to ISSA resources.

• Demonstrate & promote the sustainability of our treatments and assist our members with the development of LCA & EPDs for all ISSA treatments, including the use of recycled materials.

• Establish ISSA as the technical and innovated resource for pavement preservation treatments.

• Develop and implement a marketing strategy to be the voice of the industry.

One of the most important challenges facing our industry moving forward is the State and Federal requirements for Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for our treatments.  Although these requirements are still evolving, ISSA is committed to assisting our members with demonstrating the environmental benefits of the products we deliver through the development of tools to assist our members with Product Category Rules (PCRs) and Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs).

To help address this challenge, ISSA is excited to announce the formation of the Sustainability Committee, which is dedicated to advancing sustainability initiatives within the industry. All interested members are invited to participate in this important committee, which will play a key role in shaping the future of sustainability in our sector.  This committee will collaborate to create industry average Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) for ISSA's treatments and later support the development of a Product Category Rule (PCR) committee. One of our long-term goals is to develop a tool for ISSA members that will help create project-specific Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).  I want to thank Art Baker of indus for chairing this important committee.  The success of this committee will be highly dependent upon the participation of our members, and your expertise and commitment will be instrumental in ensuring that the pavement preservation industry leads the way in sustainability.

I would like to thank ISSA Annual Meeting Program Chair, Chris Oakes and team for planning such an informative and successful event in early March. 

As I reflect on my time spent at the meeting, many thoughts come to mind.  The many friendships I have made in the pavement preservation industry over the past 35 years and the amazing career paths our industry provides its participants.  The long rich history and fellowship of the ISSA and many of the legendary personalities that helped form who we are as an industry and association.  Our current membership is rich with people who are eager to serve and share what they know about the technological advances which are rapidly moving our industry forward.  We have a very bright future ahead! 

Last, I would like to recognize ISSA’s Award winners VSS International, Inc. (President’s Award for Excellence), the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, District 3 (Excellence in Pavement Preservation Award), the community of Christmas Island in Perth, Australia (Preservation Performance Award), and Manufacturas y Procesos Industriales Limitada (MPI)(International Award).

These awards recognize contracting achievements that exemplify the highest standards of workmanship, materials, and adherence to best practices as defined by the International Slurry Surfacing Association. They also honor agencies and communities that have successfully utilized or championed ISSA pavement preservation technologies for many years, integrating them into their pavement network strategies.

I am especially proud to recognize Chuck Ingram of Slurry Pavers, Inc. as this year’s recipient of the Phil Tarsovich Lifetime Leadership award, which is presented at the unanimous discretion of the ISSA Board of Directors. This award honors individuals who have shown exceptional dedication to the pavement preservation industry throughout their careers.

Established in 2020, this award recognizes those with more than 25 years of experience in pavement preservation, significant contributions to ISSA through Committee and Board involvement, and a continued commitment to advancing the goals of this association.  Congratulations Chuck!

As we move forward into the 2025 season, I would like to challenge all ISSA members to participate in next year’s award nominating process.  There is no cost to nominate a project and doing so brings very positive recognition to your company and customers and the hard-working employees who are participating in the success of your projects. Also, every nomination provides our industry with a great success story that can be shared around the globe.

In closing, I would like to thank every member for each, and every contribution made to ISSA no matter how large or small.  Every contribution counts and your participation in our success is essential to our long-term sustainability as an organization.  Again, I wish each of you a safe, productive and profitable year ahead in 2025!

Sincerely,

Jeff Roberts
ISSA President

A change that was also discussed at the workshop that you may have seen on your own, is revisions to a few Technical Bulletins.  Technical Bulletins 139, 144 and 147 have been edited after great feedback from the Lab Technical Team and the Revision Committee.  We will continue to review these and make additions as the industry evolves.

Emails are now coming in at a steady rate to the “Ask an Expert” section on slurry.org and I recommend continuing to utilize that resource as a great wealth of knowledge reviews and answers these questions as they are submitted. 

Short and sweet for this one!  Hopefully I run into a few of you at the PPRA Annual meeting in a few weeks in Rancho Mirage, California.

Chris Hollenback

ISSA Technical Director

The International Slurry Surfacing Association (ISSA) knocked it out the park at its 2025 Slurry Systems Workshop, held in Las Vegas from January 20-23. With a record-breaking 484 registered attendees, this year's event was truly one for the history books. The Workshop brought together a diverse group of professionals, including ISSA members and non-members, contractors, suppliers, government agencies, and academics from eight countries, all united in their commitment to advancing slurry systems.

Chaired by Jimmy Kendrick (Bergkamp Inc.), the Workshop delivered a dynamic blend of crowd-favorite presentations, engaging breakouts, and new, insightful topics that kept attendees on the edge of their seats.

The 2025 SSWS kicked off on Monday night with an excepting opening reception, giving attendees the perfect opportunity to network while watching the National College Football Championship game. Some even showed up in their college gear to cheer on Notre Dame and Ohio State University, adding to the spirited atmosphere.

Tuesday morning began bright and early with a full slate of engaging presentations. After a warm welcome from Jimmy Kendrick and ISSA President, Brad Pearce, Jamie Wing, chair of ISSA's Leadership Development Team (LDT) and Ingevity, along with co-chair Trent Gofers of McAsphalt Industries Limited, highlighted the LDT and ways for attendees to get involved. Dr. Andrew Braham of the University of Arkansas then provided a comprehensive overview of pavement preservation. With safety being a top priority in the industry, Chuck Swann and Paul Neiswonger of the City of Bend discussed key strategies for maintaining a safe job site. Next, Matt Ferguson of VSS International, Inc. shared their 2024 ISSA President's Award-Large winning project for the City of San Diego. To wrap up the morning, an industry panel focused on fostering stronger relationships between contractors, suppliers, and agencies. Moderated by Kendrick, the panel featured Chris Hollenback of Heritage Research Group, Ken Messina of Asphalt Paving Systems Inc., Scott Metcalf of Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions, Kyle Smith of Intermountain Slurry Seal Inc, along with Swann and Neiswonger.

Tuesday afternoon saw the start of breakout sessions, offering attendees a choice of four specialized topics. The first two included Micro Surfacing & Slurry Seal, presented by Tim Harrawood of Vance Brothers and Dave Kiser of Terry Asphalt Materials, and Chip Seal, presented by Stan Williams of Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions and Doug Legg of Etnyre International. The third session, Crack Seal, was led by Bryan Darling and Brandi Julian of Crafco Inc. The fourth session was a technical deep dive, covering a range of topics, including The 4 G's of Aggregate: Geology, Geometry, Geography, and Gradation, presented by Tim O'Connell and Rich Wenthe of Ingevity; Emulsions in Pavement Preservation, by Chris Musser of Vestal Asphalt Inc; Performance Testing in Pavement Preservation: Slurry Seal & Micro Surfacing, delivered by various members of the ISSA Lab Technical Team; and AASHTO Accreditation, presented by John Malusky of AASHTO.

After a day of educational sessions, the evening concluded with a reception that highlighted our generous tabletop exhibitors. Attendees and exhibitors took advantage of this opportunity to network and connect in a relaxed setting.

Wednesday morning kicked off with another round of breakout sessions. Attendees could once again choose from the Micro Slurry & Slurry Surfacing or Chip Seal sessions. Additionally, the Inspection Breakout offered valuable insights, featuring inspection techniques for Micro Surfacing by Alek Vance of Vance Brothers, Chip Seal by Doug Olsen of Western Emulsions, and Crack Seal by James Clark of Crafco, Inc. This year, a new breakout session focused on Applications in Pavement Preservation, covering topics such as the Use of RAP in Pavement Preservation, presented by Greg Duncan of Applied Pavement Technology; Fog Seal, presented by Matt Jeffers of Ergon Asphalt & Emulsion; and Slurry Surfacing Troubleshooting, presented by Zach Jensen of Bergkamp Inc. and Rich Wenthe.

New this year was the move of the Hands-On Day to Wednesday afternoon. This interactive session allowed 65 registered attendees to rotate through four different stations, gaining hands-on experience with some of the most prominent equipment used in ISSA treatments. A big thank you to Etnyre International, Bergkamp Inc., VSS Macropaver, American Pavement Preservation, and Crafco Inc. for their commitment to making this session a continued success.

One of the core highlights of the Workshop was Demo Day and the Equipment Showcase. Equipment manufacturers showcased the key features of their machinery, offering valuable insights into the latest technology. Following the showcase, attendees had the chance to witness various ISSA treatments being applied, thanks to the collaboration with ISSA member American Asphalt South and the Nevada DOT. After the demo, participants were able to get up close to the equipment and engage with the manufacturers, learning more about the tools in action. 

Hands-On Day, Contractor Showcase & Live-Demo Photo Gallery: Explore key moments from the day here!

Thursday marked the final day of the Workshop, featuring presentations from key ISSA industry partners. Speakers included Bouzid Choubane of the National Center for Pavement Preservation (NCPP), Antonio Nieves of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Dr. Adrianna Vargas of the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT), and Cathrina Dmytrow of Women of Asphalt. Following these insightful talks, attendees had the opportunity to choose from three sessions. The first session covered Slurry & Micro Calibration and Record Keeping, presented by Randy Tattershall of Etnyre International. The second session focused on Distributor & Chip Spreader Operation and Calibration, led by Doug Legg. The final session consisted of hands-on Calibration & Demo Tables, where attendees rotated through five stations: Slurry Seal (Ester Ternero Dalessi, Nouryon), Micro Surfacing (Pat Denney, Arkema), Laboratory Equipment (Vince Vopat, Bergkamp Inc.), Chip Seals (Jeff Dunn, Heritage Research Center and David Pitchford, Ingevity), and Crack Seals (James Clark, Crafco, Inc.).

To wrap up Thursday, 25 attendees participated in an exclusive hands-on session focused on slurry surfacing mix optimization and accreditation, hosted by the ISSA Lab Technical Team. Meanwhile, all other attendees had the opportunity to attend a session on RoadResource.org, presented by Scott Dmytrow of Pavement ACES.

The 2025 Slurry Systems Workshop would not have been possible without the support of our generous sponsors. A heartfelt thank you to the following:

• Monday Cocktail Reception: McAsphalt Industries Limited
• Exhibitor's Cocktail Reception: ViaSun Corporation
• Beverage Cart: Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions
• Mobile App: VSS International, Inc.
• WiFi: Talis Corporation
• Luncheon: Bergkamp Inc. & Sunland Asphalt Corporation
• Lanyard: Crafco Inc.
• Break: Intermountain Slurry Seal, Inc.
• General Sponsors: 
•   American Pavement Preservation
• Arkema
•   BASF
•   Bergkamp Inc.
•   Cactus Asphalt
•   Crafco Inc.
•   Etnyre International
•   Forta
•   Geneva Rock Products Inc.
•   GreensBroom
•   Ingevity
•   Intermountain Slurry Seal, Inc.
•   Maxwell Products Inc.
•   Nouryon
•   Pavement Preservation Group
•   Paragon Technical Services, Inc.
•   Slurry Pavers, Inc.
•   Tymco, Inc.
•   Vance Brothers
•   Viking Construction, Inc.
•   VSS Macropaver
•   Western Emulsions

Dates for the 2026 Slurry Systems Workshop will be announced this spring. ISSA is excited for another successful Workshop in the coming year!

The ISSA Technical Session will be held on Thursday, March 6 from 2-5pm PT. During this session, attendees will hear from VSS International’s Matt Ferguson on their 2025 President Award winning projects. Then, Dr. Andrew Braham, University of Arkansas, will introduce the TREAT Mobile Lab to ISSA. Next, Jamie Wing, Ingevity will discuss the full gradation wet tracks for slurry surfacing systems. Lastly, Matt May with Slurry Pavers, Inc. will share how powerful community outreach can be.

On Wednesday March 5^th, ISSA welcomes all Past Presidents to the ISSA Past Presidents’ Breakfast meeting from 7-8am PT. ISSA will host their Annual Business Meeting from 3-4pm. ISSA encourages members to attend as the new Strategic Plan will be shared with membership. Lastly on Wednesday, ISSA’s Slurry Systems Workshop Committee will meet to discuss their recent Workshop and plans for 2026. Finally, ISSA will host their Slurry/Chip/Micro/Crack Meeting from 10-11am and new Marketing & Membership Committee from 11am-12pm on March 6^th.

This time of year, usually allows us to slow the pace a little and look back on all we have accomplished during the busy season and year behind us as we start making plans for next year.  I feel that our industry has had a very successful 2024 as it continues to grow and prosper.  I think we have succeeded as an industry in getting the word out about pavement preservation and it seems that more and more agencies have been showing an interest in learning about and using our treatments.  Now it is on us to keep the momentum going.

The ISSA Board of Directors has been working on a new strategic plan that will be the basis for our plans and goals as we proceed into the coming years representing the pavement preservation industry.  The most important resource at our disposal is the incredible people at all our member companies and throughout our industry that drive our association along with our partners at AEMA and ARRA.  The more we can increase participation throughout our groups, the more successful we will be in the future.  I would ask every member to look for ways to get involved with the efforts of the associations that represent our industry.  Whether it is by serving on a committee, serving on a board of directors, or simply attending and participating in the meetings and events sponsored by our associations, the collaboration and sharing of experience and knowledge helps us all grow and improve as an industry.

Here are a few of the ongoing initiatives ISSA has been working on in 2024 and will continue with into the coming years:

• 2025 Slurry Systems Workshop – This workshop is the premier training and educational event in the pavement preservation industry. Registration for this meeting recently opened on September 9, 2024.Your workshop committee has been hard at work updating and improving on an already stellar curriculum. If you have not attended before, please make plans to do so in 2025.
• 2025 AEMA-ARRA-ISSA Annual Meeting – All three associations will be meeting together once again to discuss and learn about the future of the pavement preservation industry and the current and future initiatives that drive it. Committee chairs from all 3 associations are hard at work preparing an engaging and interesting program.
• AR DOT/FHWA/ISSA Web-based training – Arkansas DOT, FHWA, and ISSA subject matter experts have been meeting together with AP Tech to develop new web-based training modules for the various ISSA treatments and combination treatments. Once completed, these training modules will be a resource to teach best practices for all our disciplines to anyone involved in or interested in learning about pavement preservation.
• The ISSA Design and Inspection Manual for Slurry Surfacing Systems has recently been introduced as a mobile application that can be accessed easily on your phone or tablet. This is an invaluable resource for contractor field personnel, inspectors, and project designers, that can now be accessed easily in the field. This application is available to ISSA members through the “Members Only” portion of the ISSA website (www.slurry.org).
• ISSA representatives continue to meet regularly with our PPRA partners to update the RoadResource.org website with current information and improvements to the user tools. The goal is to keep this information and site as current and user friendly as possible, so that it can continue to be a valuable resource that promotes and improves the use of pavement preservation treatments.
• The ISSA Lab Technical Team is constantly reviewing and updating our Technical Bulletins and Guidelines to make sure they match up to “real world” current practices and provide clear guidance to industry partners in proper testing, design, and inspection procedures.
• We are making plans to start developing LCAs, PCRs, and EPDs for our treatments. The plan is to eventually have an EPD tool available for use by ISSA members to meet future project requirements and highlight the sustainability benefits of our treatments.
• The ISSA Technical Response Committee, headed up by our new Technical Director, Chris Hollenback, is always available to assist with questions or issues through the “Ask an Expert” link on the ISSA Website (www.slurry.org).
• ISSA Forum Calls, held several times throughout the year, are an opportunity to ask for technical assistance or simply discuss current issues and challenges facing you or your team, and see how others in the industry deal with similar situations or problems. The more attendees we have on these calls, the more industry experience we have to draw on as a group to help solve the problems we all face on a day-to-day basis.

These efforts are all made possible through valuable time that is volunteered by our members and their member companies to help our industry grow and improve for us all.  Please consider joining in these efforts as you can, and I assure you that your membership value will grow through participation and interaction with the amazing group of people that make up our industry and our three associations as part of PPRA.

I hope you all enjoy some time to with family and friends through the coming holiday season, and I wish all of you, your families, and your friends all the best for the coming new year!

Sincerely, 
Brad Pearce
ISSA President

A little about myself, starting my career in the asphalt industry I began working at Asphalt Materials, Inc. fresh out of college as a QA/QC technician.  Over the years, I progressed within the organization, transitioning to Heritage Research Group where I currently serve as the Emulsion Lab Manager. My duties include supporting technical operations across more than twenty asphalt plants, providing asphalt emulsion formulations and Micro Surfacing mix design management.  I have participated in various capacities within ISSA since 2014, including the Slurry Systems Workshop Committee, Leadership Development Team, Lab Technical Team, and as the chair of the Micro Surfacing & Slurry Committee.

First, I want to give a huge shout out to the ISSA Lab Technical Team and the chair of this committee, Jamie Wing for leading the charge on all the efforts!  The overwhelming task of reviewing and updating ALL Technical Bulletins was well received by this group, and are on target to be completed before the next Slurry Systems Workshop in January.  Be on the lookout for updated Technical Bulletins on the ISSA website, slurry.org. So far this year there have been three revised Technical Bulletins (TB 100, TB 113 and TB144) with more to come! 

One focus of mine will be Continuing momentum on the “ISSA Forum Calls”, which were initiated in 2022.  These one-hour long discussions are typically held every 3-4 months throughout the year.  For those of you that are unaware of these calls, the main objectives of these open forums are:  1) to open the calls up to anyone that wanted to attend, 2) to respect everyone’s time by limiting the calls to one hour, 3) to have the content of each call primarily driven by the attendees and their questions/ideas/suggestions, 4) to highlight the many opportunities available within our Association, and 5) to encourage participation in ISSA.

As far as the “rules” for these calls:   1) “In accordance with guidance from ISSA’s legal counsel, all calls are subject to to the ISSA Antitrust Guidelines, the federal antitrust laws and all applicable state antitrust laws.  As moderator of the call, I will stop any conversations which appear to even slightly raise an antitrust issue.”, 2) it is understood that all attendees are respectful of each other’s views, and 3) that there are no “commercials” for any specific products.

The next Forum call will be held October 29^th at noon EST. My ask for you is to start thinking about questions/ideas/suggestions for this call.  If you were not aware of these calls, or do not receive a notification/invitation when these calls are held, please reach out to me at chollenback@hrglab.com, Ali Mostardo at alim@cmservices.com, or Morgan Barnes at morganb@cmservices.com and ask to be added to the distribution list for the ISSA Forum Calls.

I look forward to communicating with you all and hope to continue building momentum of growth and innovation in pavement preservation through ISSA.

Chris Hollenback
ISSA Technical Director

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

City of San Diego, CA- VSS International 

This project was accepted in late 2021 and was completed ahead of time and under budget. The project utilized several versions and combinations of ISSA treatments which included rubber polymer modified slurry seal totaling 1,380,162 square yards. Due to high traffic volume traveled on the project streets and time restrictions, the micro surfacing phase had to move flawlessly to allow enough time for material to cure and avoid any traffic congestion. VSS also worked with the San Diego Police Department by working with a number of dispatched officers to help with traffic flow at major intersections. This project also achieved tremendous sustainability and environmental savings to the community. Greenhouse gas emissions were reduced by approximately 92%. 

2024 ISSA President's Award- Small Project

Town of Owego, NY- Vestal Asphalt Inc

This small town of 18,000 people had no previous treatment history and were skeptical and concerned throughout the project. Vestal made extra efforts in educating the community decision makers on the benefits of  the pavement preservation treatments which included crack seal, fog seal, and micro surfacing. The project took place in a high-profile residential area which included a heavily traveled feeder road. It was important to residents to return to traffic quickly. In addition, traffic control on Main Street was challenging due to the varying nature of traffic and the deliveries for surrounding bars, restaurants, and residential areas. This project was completed on time, under budget and had no safety issues. 

2024 ISSA Excellence in Pavement Preservation

Ada County Highway District

For nearly three decades the Ada County Highway District (ACHD) has Preserved Pavement by way of Crack Seal and Chip Seal.  Every summer for nearly 30 years ACHD applies a crack seal and chip seal treatment to several hundred lane miles of Arterial, Collector and Residential Roadways.  With a Pavement Network for over 5,300 lane miles, it became very important to apply this preservation treatment to keep ACHD’s “Good Roads Good”. During this nearly three-decade timeframe, the Crack Seal and Chip Seal Programs have undergone changes to help streamline the process, become more efficient, and ensure a treatment is applied at the right time.  The chip seal operation is accomplished by using in-house Maintenance Teams and equipment.  ACHD mines the rocks from its own Gravel Pits and uses a contractor to crush, separate and create chips.  The Crack Seal program is accomplished by using a combination of in-house Maintenance Teams and contractors. This results in a cost-efficient chip seal program. In 2023, during chip seal operations, ACHD, by means of innovation and strategic alliances, was able to integrate Pavement Network Safety Enhancements for all users including vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians. 

2024 ISSA International Award for Excellence

C.I. Manufacturas y Procesos Industriales Limitada (MPI)

C.I. Manufacturas y Procesos Indsutriales Limitada (MPI) completed a project on the main access road for Ruitoque Condominium in Columbia. This road is two traffic lanes and built on mountainous terrain, with grades/slopes of up to 20% and considered a low traffic road. The roadway had been in service for more than 20 years without major work. MPI used crack seal on the isolates longitudinal and crescent cracks. After which they used micro surfacing to restore the impermeability of the road and protect it from the loss of binder. Some challenges that MPI faced included completing this project during the rainy season, instability of some slopes, production facility for asphalt emulsions was more than 100 miles away, and rapid opening to traffic everyday as an agreement with the contracting authority. It is also important to note that micro surfacing is not standard in Columbia so this project helped highlight the application to the county. 

2024 ISSA Preservation Performance Award

Regional Municipality of York

Nominated by The Miller Group, the Regional Municipality of York in Ontario, Canada, has preserved Weston Road for the last 14 years by using a high-performance double chip seal. The construction cost was $210,410 and maintenance and repair costs from 2012 to 2023 were roughly $5,500. This project has had minor maintenance to address localized cracking. There has not been major rehabilitation or repairs since construction. Due to increased truck traffic since 2021, there has been slight rutting and fatigue cracking and there are plans for future rehabilitation. Additionally, due to the success of Weston Road, the Region has completed several other roads using this preservation approach which all have similar or better performance. Lastly, the Region has successfully added this tool to their toolbox, benefiting their taxpayers and improving their asset management. 

2024 ISSA Agency Pavement Preservation & Sustainability Program Award

City of Elk Grove, California

The City of Elk Grove, California is truly an agency champion for all things preservation. Nominated by VSS International, Elk Grove has routinely utilized all the disciplines represented by ISSA for over 20 years in innovative combinations designed to treat specific distresses. While they have been using this creative approach, their system continues to grow in terms of lane miles every year and they adapt their inclusion of different Pavement Preservation treatments depending on distress levels and have managed to increase their pavement preservation budget by 60% over the previous budget cycle. The City of Elk Grove was featured on our February “How I Built This Network” series. If you missed it, visit roadresource.org to view the recording and learn more. 

2024 Phil Tarsovich Lifetime Leadership Award

Bob Jerman

Bob Jerman is known for his dedication and passion for the asphalt emulsion and pavement preservation industry. His customer focus served him well as he led Ingevity's global technical service efforts for over 20 years. As ISSA's Technical Director since 2007, Bob provided the guidance and oversight to provide the premier technical resources that our association is known for the world over. Bob's impact on ISSA and the industry will continue to be felt for years to come. 

The Board and I would like to express our gratitude to you for your continued support of the International Slurry Surfacing Association (ISSA) and Pavement Preservation & Recycling Alliance (PPRA). As a member, I trust you have been able to strengthen your industry network, tap into the training and educational resources, and benefit from the advocacy and promotional efforts your association provides for our industry.  It is only through the collective support and participation of our member organizations that we are able to live out our mission:

The International Slurry Surfacing Association is the leading resource for promotion, training, education and best practices of our pavement preservation technologies.

This mission is the foundation for our strategic plan and the activities and resource allocations we undertake. As a stakeholder in the Association, you need to be aware of some key ongoing initiatives and some we have completed or have on the horizon. They include:

• The Slurry Systems Workshop continues to be the premiere training event for our technologies and will be held at Place Station Resort & Casino in January. The popular Hands-On Day agenda is expanding to include Crack Seal with the Slurry /Micro Surfacing activities for the participants. The National Center for Pavement Preservation will again be administering certification exams for the covered treatments.
• We continue to provide content for the FHWA/PPRA Webinar series along with ARRA and AEMA, reaching hundreds of people on different pavement preservation topics.
• ISSA is working with FHWA and Arkansas DOT to develop a new Web Based Training Module on Combination Treatments and update the existing modules.
• ISSA manned our booth at the PWX 2023 in San Diego, CA in August and at the National Pavement Preservation Conference in Indianapolis, IN in September, promoting the value of our association and treatments to attendees.
• A new mobile app has been developed for the Design & Inspection Manual and will be launched in the coming months for ISSA Members. The app is searchable and puts this valuable resource on a phone or tablet, where it can have the greatest accessibility and impact for those who need it.
• ISSA partnered with AEMA and ARRA to develop the RoadResource.org website, which has proven to be a valuable training and promotional tool for the pavement preservation industry. We continue to provide direction to make it an even more effective tool for our members to use to maximize their preservation portfolio for road networks.
• ISSA is moving forward with our commitment to sustainability and are taking steps that will enable us to develop industry average Life Cycle Assessment’s (LCAs) for the treatments we represent. This is a critical first step toward developing Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) which may be required by certain agencies in the future.

These are just some of the items your Board has been working on over the past year. We will be meeting next year to establish new strategies and goals and welcome your input and involvement as we continue to grow our association and our impact on the industry.

As always, thank you so much for your commitment to our industry. We look forward to another great year together!

Sincerely,

Dave Welborn

ISSA President

Thanksgiving, as well as the end of the year, are generally periods for reflection. In the spirit of gratitude for the many volunteers that have driven our Association and industry to where it is today, as well as for the influx of energized individuals now stepping up to accept the challenge of moving us forward, I’d like to remind all of us not to take their commitments for granted.

Collective “thankfulness” may be impossible to completely capture in such a short article.  Let me begin by thanking our management and administrative group, without whom we couldn’t function like we do.  They run so many aspects of our Association, while seeming to operate it all “without a hitch”.  It is neither easy nor without significant challenges.  Our members are the foundation of our Association.  From contractors, suppliers, associates, consulting engineers, affiliates, governmental agencies, and members of academia, your contributions literally make up our Association.   Our ISSA Board of Directors and their member companies sacrifice much in ways that I can’t begin to address here that would adequately reflect their commitment to our Association. 

Without the leaders and members of the numerous ISSA committees, subcommittees, working groups, task forces, etc., we absolutely could not move this Association forward to meet the goals of our Strategic Plan and the mission of this Association.   Their devotion of time and resources cannot be measured.  It not only takes a sacrifice of personal time for those individuals but of their company’s financial resources.  And, it takes passion.  I know that’s a word that you hear me use quite a bit.  But, without a passion for this industry and the people that we interact with in it, there is no long term commitment.  Certainly not the kind of commitment we need to “get it right”.

I’d like to acknowledge that it’s been my privilege and honor to work with someone that exemplifies the passion and commitment modeled by the best of our ISSA volunteers, past and present.  Debbi Deep has recently moved into the next phase of her life, leaving a void in our Association that will be sorely missed by not only myself but by many of you, as well.  She has served ISSA with enthusiasm and her ever-present smile for decades, becoming a very familiar face and presence at the Workshop, at the Annual Meeting, and on endless video conference calls.  Her roles and responsibilities have included Slurry/Micro Committee Chair, Technical Bulletin Review/Revision Committee, ISSA Design and Inspection Manual Committee Member, Technical Response Team Member, Laboratory Technical Group Leader, presenter (Workshop hands on demonstration tables and main hall presentations, Annual Meeting presentations), WTAT Study Leader, etc.  Moving forward, it’s not possible to find a single individual to fulfill all of Debbi’s responsibilities.  As such, let me also say that I’m thankful to the four individuals that will be taking on those roles as we move forward.  Debbi, you truly are a gem! We are thankful for the opportunity to have been your colleagues!  May God’s peace be with you as you begin this new journey, refreshed and renewed in all that you do!

OK, Everyone.  That’s it for this year.  Enjoy the holiday season with your family and friends, cherishing every moment.  We truly do have so very much for which to be thankful.

"Every day is a gift!  Never take a single one for granted!"

Sincerely,

Bob Jerman

ISSA Technical Director

To view Surfacing Today, Bulletin No. 3, please click here. 

To view 2023 Surfacing Today Bulletin No. 1, please click here.

Some of us are anxiously awaiting the arrival of spring.

The International Slurry Surfacing Association is the leading resource for promotion, training, education and best practices of our pavement preservation technologies.

That is the mission statement your Board has committed to, and it drives our decisions on how we spend energy and resources to bring value to you, our membership. I am personally grateful to all who have gone before me to build a fiscally sound association that allows us to build for the future. I thank Eric Reimschiissel, our long-standing Treasurer, and Doug Olsen and Jason Lampley who are retiring from the board for their contributions to our success. And Larry Tomkins, our Immediate Past President, who masterfully led the association through the uncertainty of the peak of the pandemic. I especially want to thank Chuck Ingram who allowed me to interject and “stir the pot” during his two years of presidency. It is truly an honor to serve you all in my role as president of the association.

It is customary to reflect on the annual meeting in this initial communication from your president. We did have a phenomenal meeting at the Wigwam Resort in Litchfield last week. The turnout was great, with over 308 registered to attend. Nobody was encumbered with mask mandates, and it felt like we were getting back to normal. Everyone celebrated with the Asphalt Emulsion Manufacturers Association, our sister association, as they as they marked their 50^th anniversary and presented an interesting history on asphalt emulsions. In contrast, our keynote speaker talked about the future and the possible changes that may be coming our way. Leading our association toward the future possibilities will be my focus.

Every accomplishment starts with PEOPLE. Returning to the Board are Vice-President Brad Pearce, Secretary Jeff Roberts, Treasurer Chris Oakes, Past President Chuck Ingram, and directors Tim Harrawood, Justin Guiles, and Fabio Mendez. Bob Jerman continues to serve as Executive Technical Director. We are adding four new directors to the board this year: Jimmy Kendrick, Dave Kiser, Rolando Perez, and Stan Williams. This may be the biggest insurgence of new blood into the board since the first one, and I am excited about the new ideas and energy they will bring to the board and how they will challenge us all to be better. Future leaders are discovered largely through their involvement in committees. Our committees are getting fully staffed thanks to the efforts of the Leadership Development Team as they match needs with people’s interests and talents. And our committees have a lot going on: membership growth targets, unified marketing messaging, expanding our international footprint, and continued excellence in the slurry systems workshop to name a few.

Our technical committee has several opportunities to impact the future of our technologies. Efforts are underway to evaluate testing protocol for full gradation aggregates in slurry seal and micro surfacing mixtures rather than scalping out significant quantities of the larger aggregate fraction. Also, testing protocols are under evaluation for mixtures using softer binders which have shown good performance in northern climates. Finally, RAP is being used more and more in slurry seal / micro surfacing applications and in chip seal. Appropriate design criteria need to be established to enable successful applications of these materials going forward.

We continue to work on developing Product Category Rules (PCRs), Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), and ultimately Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for our treatments. Federal and state requirements are still being defined, but your association is staying on track to demonstrate the environmental benefits of the products we deliver.

Finally, if you are not active in our association, I encourage you to find a place to get involved. Your ideas and energy will make us stronger and move us toward a brighter future. I look forward to seeing you at our next event.

Dave Welborn

ISSA President

To view 2023 Surfacing Today Bulletin No. 1, please click here. 

To view 2022 Surfacing Today Bulletin No. 4, please click here.

Here in the northern hemisphere, we are enjoying the Fall season and the many benefits that come with it, especially the lower temperatures and humidity.  As we traveled on the Blue Ridge Parkway yesterday enjoying the spectacular colors in the Fall foliage while returning from a visit to a very busy apple orchard here in North Carolina, we speculated on the reason why the season is named “Fall”.  The consensus within our family was that it was due to the “fall of the leaves” from the trees.  My quick research confirms that.  As far as I can tell, it’s the only season that has more than one name, Fall and Autumn, with Americans typically using the term “Fall” and the British typically using the term “Autumn”.  Coming from primarily a technical background in our industry, this time of year has typically represented a shift in focus from mix designs and technical support of paving season projects across the globe to more research-oriented projects.   Of course, there are always exceptions to this but I always welcome Fall both personally and professionally for the change of pace that it brings.  

One of the opportunities that Fall provides is the opportunity to “catch our breath” and reflect on the work done up to that point in the year.  In the case of your ISSA technical group, that includes a variety of projects for review, reflection, status reports, and “next step” planning.  

Among those, the Full Gradation WTAT study group participated in a conference call last week where the latest data was shared with the participants and ideas about how to address challenges within the study were proposed and discussed.  The evaluations are ongoing by the laboratories involved in this project with a presentation on the results expected during the 2023 Slurry Systems Workshop in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Additionally, significant revisions to two ISSA Technical Bulletins, ISSA TB No. 109 “Test Method for Measurement of Excess Asphalt in Slurry Surfacing Systems by Use of a Loaded Wheel Tester and Sand Adhesion” and TB No. 147 “Test Method for Measurement of Lateral and Vertical Displacement of Micro Surfacing Systems” were completed by the technical bulletin revision team.   Please note that while these revisions may not substantially alter the way the tests are performed, they are significantly revised from the aspect that they have a multitude of changes that remove ambiguities and make it much easier to understand how the tests are performed.  Additionally, the ISSA-supported test equipment options have been reduced.  Both of these documents are now available on the ISSA website. 

The Chip Seal Committee has been busy in recent weeks on a complete overhaul to our A 165, Recommended Performance Guideline for Chip Seal.  Also getting together on a conference call last week, the Committee continues to focus on revisions to the Guideline centered on the cold-applied application for this ISSA discipline.  Their goal is to have a rough draft of the new Guideline available by Q1 of 2023.

Believing that it’s important enough to repeat and following up on content from the last Surfacing Today article about the changes occurring in the cement industry, we continue to solicit feedback from across the industry regarding potential impact on your business.  As a reminder, my reference here is to availability (or lack thereof) of Portland cement (Typically, Type I/II PCC) as it is replaced by Portland Limestone cement (typically, Type IL PLC).  If you’ve performed laboratory evaluations or your company has used the new Type IL PLC in the field, please reach out to me and share that information.  Again, it is critical that your mix design evaluations be performed with the same cement that will be used in the actual project application in the field.  Our goal is to keep you informed and work together to integrate this changing composition of one of our raw materials into our systems with minimal impact on performance.

Our third “ISSA Forum” call will take place on Tuesday, November 15^th from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm EST.  Sneak Preview:  Interest in RAP slurry surfacing systems may be discussed.  Feedback from previous calls indicates that attendees continue to find good value in the hour spent participating in them.  If you haven’t been able to attend one yet, consider taking the time to participate and contribute.  As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with ideas and/or questions.

"Every day is a gift!  Never take a single one for granted!"

Sincerely,

Bob Jerman

ISSA Technical Director

To view 2022 Surfacing Today Bulletin No. 3, please click here.

One of those challenges comes from the changes occurring in the cement industry.  All industries, including ours, have ongoing pressures to decrease their carbon footprint and improve their sustainability.   By design, pavement preservation is fundamentally sustainable.  That said, we continue to search for ways to improve upon its sustainability.  One way that the cement industry is addressing the issue of sustainability is by replacing ordinary Portland cement (PCC) with Portland Limestone cement (PLC).  You may, or may not, be aware of this in your area.   It’s important that you are informed as this change is already underway in many areas and will be coming to your area, if not there yet.  Our focus is on Type I and Type II (or Type I/II) Portland Cement as it is being replaced by Type IL Portland Limestone cement.  The cement industry claims that it is a direct substitute for ordinary Portland cement, providing the same performance in concrete applications but with a carbon footprint that is ~10% lower in carbon emissions.  Ordinary Portland cement (used in our pavement preservation industry for decades) typically contains up to 5% limestone whereas the Portland Limestone cement limits are 5-15% limestone.  As always, it is critical that your mix design evaluations be performed with the same cement that will be used in the actual project application in the field.

So, what does this mean for our industry?  Hopefully, nothing significant.  At this time, we don’t have enough information to answer the question fully.  Initial feedback is that the Type IL PLC performs very similarly to traditional PCC Type I/II.   Again, this is very, very early in our investigation on the impact of PLC on our slurry surfacing (slurry seal and micro surfacing) systems.   We’ll be collecting data from many of you over the next few months.  If you’ve performed laboratory evaluations or your company has used the new Type IL PLC in the field, please reach out to me and share that information.  When is this change coming?  My research indicates that it’s already happened in some regions, is beginning to transition in others, and is yet to be introduced at all in other parts of the world.  At this point, all indications are that ordinary PCC is becoming increasingly difficult to find in some areas and may not be available by the end of 2023 or beginning of 2024.  Our goal here is to keep you informed and work together as an industry to integrate this changing composition of one of our raw materials into our systems with minimal impact on performance.

Our second “ISSA Forum” call will take place on Wednesday, July 20^th from 1:00-2:00 pm EDT.  If you weren’t able to attend the first one earlier this year, please consider attending and contributing to our second call next week. As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with ideas and/or questions.

"Every day is a gift!  Never take a single one for granted!"

Sincerely,

Bob Jerman

ISSA Technical Director