During the tours of NCAT, AEMA and ISSA 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. 

During the Board of Directors meeting, Treasurer Bob Huitt shared that AEMA continues to be financially healthy and stable in its membership.  The Board approved a draft budget for 2019 that includes strategic items including some plans to continue to expand certificate courses and work on membership growth.

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 launch of a third certificate course on manufacture of asphalt emulsions, and the debut of the Excellence in Manufacturing Award.  Of note, 13 applications had already been received for this new award with nearly a month left to the deadline of October 31.

Communication with members continues to be an important goal with the Board planning on new topics for discussion with members during ongoing Stewardship calls between Directors and AEMA members. 

Plans for the 2019 Annual Meeting were discussed, with a full slate of presentations for the AEMA session already organized.  In addition, the Young Members Committee (YMC) will again conduct a YMC session, with plans to live stream to younger members unable to attend, and will continue to facilitate a mentoring program.

The Board also discussed the perception of AEMA as a North American focused association.  Several Board members will be meeting with the Board of the International Bitumen Emulsion Federation (IBEF) to discuss how to improve international communication at its meeting scheduled concurrently with the Annual Meeting in Cancun.

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