A Letter from AEMA President, Dan Koeninger:

Hello and Happy Holidays to you and your family!

2024 has been quite a year at AEMA. It’s because of our engaged membership and super active Board of Directors. I must thank the Board for their energy and commitment to the Association and our objectives. Let’s review some of the highlights of the year.

We’ve created and held a session on the training of agency personnel on the importance of network preservation and the use of the RoadResource.org site. Under the leadership of Scott Dmytrow, a team of seasoned experts in the field created a comprehensive seven-hour training presentation. The first presentation was given by Scott at the Idaho Asphalt Association to a group of 25 DOT and local agency people. It was well received, and a survey is currently being taken to gather feedback that will aid in improving the material for the next session. This effort is part of our strategic plan to increase the use of emulsion and use of the RoadResource.org site.

We’ve instituted a Student Membership and have started advertising to attract current University students to join. We have a few as of this time and expect more to come.

The Leadership Development Team continues to run the LEAP (Leadership Education for Asphalt Preservation) program, and we have some ISSA members signed up for the coming year. We decided that the cross-over with our ISSA sister organization required us to invite them to attend the program. The new group forms at the Annual meeting and there are great tours set for them to learn more about our industry. If you have a candidate, there is still time for them to enroll. Simply contact AEMA Staff to register today.

Work continues on the development of EPDs for emulsion by AEMA and our consultants. The PCR committee meets every month to push this toward the finish line. These tools are critical for the ability of our members to compete for contracts in the near future. We continuously monitor the progress and push the team forward at every opportunity.

You will soon see our list of prospective 2025-2026 Board members for your vote. This year we have the usual rotation of elected officers and some long serving Board members are rolling off the Board.

I want to thank you for your efforts to keep our Association relevant and supportive to the emulsion industry. It’s been my privilege to serve as your President. I hope that you see AEMA as an integral part of your business. If there is anything that we can do to help you achieve your goals, please let us know. You or someone at your Company will be getting a call from a Board member to discuss our activities and how you see them as being effective or not. This call is an important tool used by the Board to keep us on a course that serves your needs. Please take the call and be honest with us.

I look forward to seeing you at the 2025 Annual Meeting in Rancho Mirage CA. Registration is now open for the event held from March 3rd through 7th. An exciting agenda is being finalized and you don’t want to miss it.

Again, Happy Holidays and let’s keep moving into the future where emulsion volumes increase steadily each and every year!

Dan Koeninger, PE
President
Asphalt Emulsion Manufacturers Association