LEAP Connection — April 2025

1. First Stop. Big Impact.

LEAP Tours Sustainable Emulsions —

Following the 2025 AEMA-ARRA-ISSA Annual Meeting, the newly inducted LEAP class—along with fellow LEAP alumni—visited the production plant and laboratory of Sustainable Emulsions, a division of Pavement Recycling Systems (PRS). During the General Meeting, keynote speaker Aaron Witt introduced a framework that categorizes companies as Losers, Followers, or Winners. This tour made it clear: Sustainable Emulsions is a Winner—a company actively driving progress in the industry.

Upon arriving at the Colton, CA facility, the LEAP group was warmly welcomed by their hosts, led by Jorge Campos, LLC Manager at Sustainable Emulsions. The tour began with a walkthrough of the manufacturing plant, showcasing the diverse services offered by PRS. With capabilities spanning cold milling, concrete recycling, RAP aggregates, and—most recently—asphalt emulsions, PRS demonstrates its commitment to a fully sustainable business model. In its first year, Sustainable Emulsions shipped 25,000 gallons of asphalt emulsion. The team also highlighted the company’s in-house milling software, equipped with Bluetooth remote connectivity, which enhances communication and collects critical data to improve plant performance.

The Sustainable Emulsions team showed a clear dedication to innovation and practical problem-solving. One standout example addressed the challenges of California’s extreme heat and urban “heat island” effects—areas that retain higher temperatures due to dense development. To help combat this, PRS acquired CoolSeal, a reflective pavement technology that reduces asphalt surface temperatures by 10–20°F. The LEAP class later observed this cool pavement in action in the company’s parking lot.

The benefits of Sustainable Emulsions’ 100% employee-owned structure were apparent throughout the visit. The team’s enthusiasm, ownership, and forward-thinking mindset stood out at every stage. From developing innovative machinery that scans milling teeth to reduce waste and costs, to maintaining clean, efficient facilities, the company continues to raise its own standards.

The LEAP group extends its sincere thanks to the Sustainable Emulsions team for their energy, innovation, and hospitality throughout the tour.

Written by: Ellie Kenny, Walker Emulsions

2. Roadvocate Training.

Your New Road Maintenance Tool — A Game-Changer for Road Management

In this article, a recent trainee, Jorge Campos, dives into the Roadvocate Training experience and explores how RoadResource.org empowers public works professionals with practical, data-driven tools. From budget-stretching planners to treatment selectors, this free platform brings real value to the field.

I just wrapped up an insightful three-day Roadvocate Training on RoadResource.org, the free and user-friendly platform developed by the Pavement Preservation & Recycling Alliance (PPRA) — and let me tell you, it’s built to make life easier for anyone managing pavement networks.

This isn’t your average online tool. It’s packed with practical features that make planning, budgeting, and treatment selection smarter and more transparent. You can plug in your own data, test out different scenarios, and get clear, visual insights to support your decisions.

What really stood out?

• Hands-on learning with real, customizable data.
• Intuitive interface—no tech frustrations.
• Expert guidance on when, where, and how to apply treatments.
• Planning tools that help you communicate value, plan long-term, and maximize funding.
  

Bottom line: this platform reflects deep industry knowledge, real-world needs, and a commitment to better roads. If you're in road maintenance or asset management, RoadResource.org isn’t just useful — it’s essential.

Written by: Jorge Campos, Sustainable Emulsions