Q: What sort of exposure did you have to aggregates growing up, if any?
A: None! Grew up in a small town backing onto farm fields! Had a sandbox and a big garden to play in! Wanted to be a doctor when I grew up!
Q: What was your initial work experience?
A: My initial work experience was working on a farm in high school… Beef cattle, chickens and horses. I started at Steed and Evans as a summer student the year I graduated high school. I worked on every crew we had. It was a great experience. When I graduated from Civil Engineering, I was given a job in the field as an assistant project manager. Worked later as an estimator and senior project manager.
Q: Why did you eventually choose a career in aggregates, or did it choose you?
A: Aggregates eventually got chosen for me. When I was working as a senior project manager and the company was looking for an opportunity to further my career. An opening came up as General Manager, Materials Division. That involved aggregates and hot mix asphalt.
Q: What impresses you most about the culture of the industry with respect to the workplace?
A: Industry culture in aggregates is one of respect. Respect for the environment, for the public and the competition. The industry has some real characters in it. It always has. They are a work hard play hard group.
Q: Where do you see the industry going in the next decade?
A: The next decade will continue to see more consolidation in our industry. This has its challenges for licensing and dealing with the public. It’s not the owner operator… it’s a manager who is dealing with it. It is not the same thing. Things will continue to evolve with more mergers and larger international players coming to the market. I also see close to market supply challenges becoming increasingly difficult. People get the 100 mile diet for food… why not for stone, sand, and gravel?
Q: As recycling increases, what should industry professionals be aware of?
A: Industry professionals need to be ambassadors for recycling. And they also need to know it is not a panacea for licensing new reserves. It will help, but not replace. Specifications with recycle are also a key thing to be aware of. Changes are being made to accommodate recycling. We want to put a quality product out to market that serves the consumer and our industry well.
Q: Are there any additional challenges?
A: Species at risk, new noise and dust reg’s, more environmental controls in general will all have dramatic effects on our industry as we go ahead. The need for a strong OSSGA becomes even more necessary. We need a consolidated and strong voice. It is imperative that our industry have input.
Q: How can we get this message across?
A: Everyone needs to be an ambassador for our industry. Everyone needs to take the opportunity to educate their co-workers, their family, their friends, and their business acquaintances. And it’s not just those directly involved with the industry that should be the ambassadors. We need to educate everyone that uses our products. All the asphalt, ready-mix, brick, block, pipe, manhole and related industries need to be up to speed and understand the supply and demand issues. They need to speak positively and know the implications of close to market supply.
Q: As a producer, a previous board chair and a long-time member, can you comment on the value and role of OSSGA within the aggregate industry?
A: OSSGA’s role and value to the aggregate industry is, quite frankly… invaluable. OSSGA fills a large number of roles. From education and training, to political outreach, to local and provincial issues, to social gatherings… it provides a huge benefit to the industry and its members. I cannot encourage people enough to get more involved with OSSGA.
Q: What is the biggest highlight of your time serving on the board of OSSGA?
A: Definitely the highlight of my time serving on the Board was all the great people I got to work with. It is impressive how we could all leave our corporate hats at the door and roll up our sleeves and work hard for a better industry.