It’s just another example of how we do things ourselves “in house”.

I’m in California right now, relaxing after attending the National Asphalt Paving Association National Convention. I had the pleasure of witnessing Brady Meldrem and his great employees at Norris Asphalt Paving in Ottumwa accept the Sheldon G. Hays award at the awards ceremony, Tuesday, March 5.

This award is the “super bowl” of awards in the asphalt paving business. It’s the Emmy, the Grammy, and the Nobel Peace Prize. This award is for “the Best Paving Project in the Nation”!!! It’s huge!!!

I’ve seen other companies from Florida, New York, Texas and California win this over the years. I’ve never, ever thought we would see this in Iowa by a Company we are involved with. I am so proud and so pleased for those people involved. CONGRATULATIONS to the Norris team!

It is so important that you know that when Brady started working for Manatt’s Inc. in 1982, he drove one of our dump trucks. It was a job for him. But he decided somewhere along the line that it could be a career. Everything he has done for us and for Norris, he has done in a superior manner.

After chasing signs on the Interstate in 1984, I asked Brady if he would work for us in the asphalt side of Manatt’s Inc. So, in 1985 he worked under Donn Eide in this field to become our field superintendent for the Newton Asphalt division. He excelled in building projects and, eventually, after a couple of years, was involved with bidding the projects.

Brady has great people skills and was never afraid of expressing his opinions to his fellow workers, bosses, and IDOT officials. This worked well for him.

When we had the opportunity to buy Norris Asphalt Paving in 1994, I asked Brady if he would go run the Company as its President at the ripe old age of 32. Not being shy, he accepted but did not

know the first thing about running a

company.

Well, he has succeeded to the point of getting up in front of 1000 people Tuesday AM and giving a great acceptance speech. What a special day!

I relate this story to you because I know that there are more Brady’s out there working in our Company. They are the future of our companies. We will continue to expand this Company and those people that want to make their job, their career just need to let us know that they are there. We’ll get out of the way and let you run things.

Norman Schwarzkopf, the Four-Star General from Desert Storm, was our Keynote Speaker at the NAPA Convention. He explained to us rule number 13 in leadership: “When placed in command, take charge.” I thought of Brady Meldrem when he told us this.

PS: He also told us rule #14 when placed in a leadership position is: “Do what’s right”. Words for leaders to live by.