WAPA's 66th annual conference was a resounding success. The event, which took place on December 2 and 3 at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, brought asphalt experts, practitioners and decision-makers together to discuss the transportation issues that are critical to Wisconsin. As always, we are grateful to all of the exhibitors, sponsors, presenters and attendees for their continued involvement and support of WAPA. It's this kind of active engagement that makes our conference the asphalt event of the year in Wisconsin.

General and Technical Sessions

Our General Session included discussions on emerging technologies, safety, and updates at the state and national levels. We also offered six Technical Breakout Sessions over the course of three time slots. As in past years, WAPA was pleased to provide professional development hours to participants.


The presentations used throughout the general and technical sessions are available on WAPA's 2025 Conference page.
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Pictured above: WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman addresses attendees during WAPA's Annual Conference & Business Meeting.
Award Winners
 
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WAPA's 2025 Awards and Scholarship Luncheon provided the perfect opportunity to recognize leadership, innovation, and initiative in asphalt design and delivery. We hope that the examples set by the award winners will continue to inspire all members of Wisconsin's asphalt community to continue to go above and beyond, delivering the best product and service year after year.

Asphalt Awards

WAPA's Asphalt Awards recognize technological advancements and innovations in asphalt pavements. This year, awards were presented in two categories: State (WisDOT Region or Office) and Local (City, County, Town, or Village).


Congratulations to the 2025 winners!


STATE AWARD



LOCAL AWARD




We will be using an open nomination form again in 2026; watch for details to be announced later in the year.
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Bill Koutnik, WAPA's Director of Construction Management & Engineering, and WAPA Executive Director Deb Schwerman present the State Asphalt Award to Jerry Mentzel, Regional Director of WisDOT Northwest Region.
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Paul Vollert, Public Works Superintendent of the City of Wisconsin Rapids, accepted the Local Asphalt Award from WAPA's Bill Koutnik and Deb Schwerman.
WAPA Scholarships

WAPA granted two awards in our Student Scholarship program for 2025. We thank our members for their generosity in making these awards possible.


Among many worthy college student applicants, WAPA recognized the following students who are excelling in their academic pursuit of a career in the transportation construction industry:


  • Engineering Scholarship - $2,000 award for a student in a four-year civil engineer or construction engineering program:



  • Logan Zahn - Michigan Technological University
  • Nahjali Chico - UW-Madison


Congratulations to our scholarship winners! We are pleased to announce that we will offer these awards again in the fall of 2026.
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Pictured from left to right: Bill Koutnik, 2025 WAPA Engineering Scholarship winner Nahjali Chico, and Deb Schwerman.

Environmental Leadership Awards


For 25 years, WAPA's Environmental Leadership Awards program has recognized asphalt plants that go above and beyond Wisconsin's already high environmental standards. To earn this award, a permanent or portable asphalt plant must achieve the highest ratings in community and environmental excellence via a rigorous, independent inspection of their facilities.


This year, 15 plants won renewal awards:


2025 Renewal Awards -- Permanent Plants

  • American Asphalt of Wisconsin Plant 22 (Mosinee)
  • American Asphalt of Wisconsin Plant 83 (Stevens Point)
  • Monarch Paving Company Plant 46 (Hager City)
  • Northeast Asphalt, Inc. Control 55 (Burnett)
  • Northeast Asphalt, Inc. Control 64 (Menasha)
  • Northeast Asphalt, Inc. Control 65 (Green Bay)
  • Payne + Dolan Control 1 (K&N Sussex)
  • Payne + Dolan Control 23 (Paris)
  • Payne + Dolan Control 31 (Racine)
  • Wolf Paving (Menomonee Falls)


2025 Renewal Awards -- Portable Plants

  • American Asphalt of Wisconsin Plant 23
  • Mathy Construction Co. Plant 24
  • Mathy Construction Co. Plant 92
  • Monarch Paving Company Plant 60
  • Monarch Paving Company Plant 75


The Environmental Leadership Program would not be possible without the high standards and rigorous environmental programs that our member companies already have in place.


Finally, our thanks go out to Tom Stibbe and Marty Burkholder, formerly with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, who have both worked with us over the years to conduct the inspections. We are fortunate to have Tom and Marty on our team putting in this effort throughout the year.



See You in 2026!

Please mark your calendar now for WAPA's 67th Annual Conference, to be held December 1 & 2, 2026 at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. Additional details will be announced later in the coming year.


On behalf of WAPA, thanks again to everyone and we hope you have a safe and joyous holiday season.


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,





Deb Schwerman

Wisconsin Asphalt Pavement Association

WAPA | 4600 American Parkway, Ste 201 | Madison, WI 53718 US

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