A Conversation with TXAPA Executive Vice President Harold Mullen

Harold Mullen is the Executive Vice President of the Texas Asphalt Pavement Association (TXAPA), a position that he has held since 1995. In this capacity, Harold oversees the considerable activity of the largest state asphalt pavement association in the nation, including a recently expanded and renovated two-building campus located on I-35 in Buda, Texas just south of Austin. This state-of-the-art facility contains labs and classrooms for training and certification programs, multiple meeting areas, huge display and social gathering areas, a broadcast facility and generous office space.

Over the last few decades, I have had the pleasure of witnessing firsthand the growth and expansion of TXAPA under Harold’s skilled leadership. Kirby-Smith Machinery has been active in the associate affairs of the association and a long-time supporter of the association’s mission. Recently, Harold took some time out of his busy schedule to share his thoughts about recent challenges and present conditions in the asphalt pavement industry – including the industry’s outlook from TXAPA’s perspective.

GARY CORLEY (GC): Harold, in your 26 years as Executive Vice President of TXAPA, I know that you have seen considerable upheavals in the industry, but the challenges brought about by COVID-19 have taxed our professional and personal ways of life to the extreme. What are some of your observations from the past year?

HM: The past year has clearly been a journey – we have added new terms to our vocabulary like “global pandemic” and “Zoom meetings” that were unknown to most of us before last March. As uncertain as things have been, it’s gratifying to see that our industry has trended to the positive. Thank God, we were able to continue working and to take care of our families. The industry really has done a great job of overcoming adversity and achieving success. Our frontline heroes have performed well, with 70 projects already submitted for nomination for our TXAPA/TxDOT Quality Asphalt Awards – so we have maintained quality.

COVID-19 has also heightened our awareness of safety – there has been an increased focus on keeping our most valuable asset, our teammates, safe and healthy. One of the best stories of the past year has been how adversity has shined a new light on partnering and enhanced our cooperative spirit. These times have brought new ideas, methods and processes to the forefront – e-ticketing is a good example of this. In turn, these developments have created more opportunities for online training and education.

All the challenges of the past year have just reaffirmed my long-held belief that the people in our industry are truly resilient.

GC: With the improvement in the COVID-19 situation due to the advent of vaccines, 2021 could be the year that TXAPA returns to some degree of normalcy with meeting schedules. Of course, being able to hold the annual meeting in September would be the crown jewel – how does that look now?

HM: Things are looking very positive. The COVID-19 situation is improving, and the rapid deployment of vaccines should have us in a good position over the next few months. Our President, Craig Odom, has shown a lot of leadership in this area and has directed that planning move forward for our September meeting to take place with our normal events and functions intact. With Governor Abbott opening businesses to 100% capacity and six more months of vaccinations, we should be well prepared for a great meeting in San Antonio in September. The entertainment this year will be Wade Bowen and Randy Rogers, with their “Hold My Beer and Watch This” show. There is great anticipation on the part of the membership, so I think we will be back to setting records for attendance and scholarship fundraising soon.

GC: Our new facility and broadcasting capabilities seem to have been both a lifeboat and a tool for growth in our training programs in 2020. Do you see continued expansion in this part of the association’s mission?

HM: Without a doubt. Over the past year we have redoubled our efforts at outreach to the membership as well as to our TxDOT partners. We have also done a lot of custom training and education to meet the specific needs of individual members, be it in person or online. As an example, TxDOT specification changes went into effect last February at the outset of the pandemic, and we were able to develop customized specification training to meet individual contractor needs regardless of content or audience size. It was a large undertaking, but it provided a great service to our members.

Jim and Jenna continue to develop our technical and digital capabilities that enhance our member services and education outreach. In 2020, that included 118 YouTube videos, 48 TXAPA live broadcasts (reaching over 2,000 attendees), and 13 specification education consults. Yes sir, expansion will be the operative word for our future in this critical area.

GC: Kirby-Smith has always placed a high value on our membership in TXAPA, but even more so today given the changes and complexities of the industry. From your unique perspective as Executive Vice President, what are your thoughts?

HM: Changes and complexities – Gary, I love your descriptions. Strong, participating team members are the life blood of TXAPA and Kirby-Smith certainly fits that description. We are fortunate to have them as a member, and, Gary, we are grateful to you for your many years of service to TXAPA and for telling our story. Team members like KSMI help the industry stay abreast of emerging technologies and maintain a competitive edge.

GC: Harold, I have always treasured our 30-plus-year friendship. Thanks for your time, your continued great work in TXAPA and your service to the industry.

HM: When you get to work with outstanding people like yourself, it makes the time go by much faster. It is hard for me to believe that 30-plus-years have flown by since we started working together. I cannot wait to continue sharing our friendship and partnership for the next whatever-time I have left. I appreciate your dedication to quality and your steadfast support of TXAPA.