| LEAP 2023-2024 Class |
LEAP 2023-2024 Class
Alejandro RosalesTechnical Services Manager, Idaho Asphalt SupplyAlejandro is a Technical Services Manager for Idaho Asphalt Supply, Inc. with ten years of experience in the asphalt pavement industry providing customers with mix designs in microsurfacing/slurry seals, chip seals, cold mix, and hot mix. 
Emmanuel DelgadoSales Manager, Kao ChemicalsEmmanuel is chemical Engineer, 10 years on the business. Asphalt emulsifiers, additives expert, focus on the US and Canada Market. 
Josh GuidiceArea Sales Manager, Ergon A&EWhen Josh is not peddling Asphalt; he enjoys Hunting, Fishing, riding dirt bikes, mountain biking, skiing and many other outdoor activities with his 4 year old daughter. 
James SchogerTechnical Operations Manager, Ergon A&EJames works as the North West regional Technical Operations Manager for Ergon. He's worked in the asphalt industry for just over 20 years, starting with Koch Materials. Prior to his employment with Ergon, he worked as the Technical Manager for Western States Asphalt where he setup and managed an AASHTO accredited lab. James' current and past responsibilities include formulation design and technical oversight of emulsified and polymer modified asphalt production. 
Crystal CastilloChemist, ArkemaCrystal graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor's in Biochemistry. She has been working with Arkema for about three years and a half as a Chemist in the formulations lab. In her free time she enjoys cooking and baking. Crystal also have a German Shepherd and French Bulldog mix named Cici. 
Brody YoungRegional Technical Manager, Idaho Asphalt SupplyBrody has been in the asphalt industry 16 years working in the Technical Quality Department at various roles. Currently, Brody is a Regional Technical Manager overseeing product development and quality management at 5 facilities in the Rocky Mountain region. In his spare time, Brody enjoys spending time with my family and the great outdoors. 
Gia CarbonaraProcurement Manager, Russell StandardGia has over 14 years of supply chain experience but is a newbie to the asphalt world as she's only been for 9 months but loves it! You can find her lifting at the gym after work or outside hiking and walking. 
Shawn BryamTerminal Manager, Russell StandardShawn Byram is 47 years old, from North Carolina. Shawn started his career out of high school in the stone quarry as a plant operator and progressed to the asphalt industry by starting out in the hotmix plant side, and the past 14 years in the emulsion and liquid asphalt market. 
Nate JenkinsSales Representative, Asphalt Materials Inc.Nate is a sales representative for Asphalt Materials, Inc. and has been with the company since 2014. Prior to his sales role, Nate worked at Heritage Research Group and at Asphalt Materials, Inc.’s Indianapolis plant. 
Campbell HigbieSr. Asphalt Research Chemist, Heritage Research GroupAs a chemistry graduate from Wabash College, Campbell joined the Heritage Research Group in March of 2016 as a lab technician for the asphalt/emulsion lab. Realizing that he excelled in developing and creating new products, in 2018 he moved into a research and innovation role within HRG, helping Asphalt Materials to develop novel approaches in asphalt applications, specifically with emulsions. Campbell aids in the commercialization and production of new products and their implementation into the field. 
Shafer SoarsChemist, ArkemaShafer Soars works in Mulberry Florida. Shafer received his PhD from the University of Colorado-Boulder in 2021 and has been with Arkema for about one year. Shafer enjoys hiking, cooking, exploring, and spending time with my family. Shafer is excited to continue to grow as a professional and look forward to the experience gained from the LEAP program. 
Charles TaylorTechnical Operations Manager, Ergon A&ECharles Taylor currently resides in Oklahoma City, OK, but is originally from Jackson, MS where he was born and raised. Charles graduated from Mississippi State University with a Civil engineering degree where he also was a student athlete. Charles started with Ergon in 2017 as an emulsion chemist, then moved to his current role in technical operations in 2022. 
Matthew GutkaissSales Manager, Asphalt Emulsion IndustriesMatthew has lived his life spread out between New York and Western VA. He went to college in upstate New York at a small community college for Criminal Justice. Matthew began working in the industry in 2010 for Slurry Pavers. Throughout his career he has worked in the field with milling, paving and crack filling crews before managing an emulsion facility in Richmond VA for ten years. 
Bobby BehrensQuality Assurance Technician, Terry Asphalt MaterialsBobby Behrens is the Quality Assurance Technician at Terry Asphalt Materials Inc. He has seven years in the asphalt industry, in liquid asphalt, asphalt emulsion, and pavement preservation testing. He specializes in microsurfacing mix design, emulsion formulation, and material troubleshooting. |
6/8/2023 Emulsion Notes 2023, No. 3
4/13/2023Emulsion Notes 2023, No. 2
1/19/2026 » 1/22/2026
ISSA Slurry Systems Workshop
2/17/2026 » 2/20/2026
2026 AEMA-ARRA-ISSA Annual Meeting
Asphalt Emulsion Manufacturers Association
