2023 Speakers

Vincent is an engineer working with pavements in West Virginia with a current focus on surface testing such as friction and smoothness. He has been with the Division of Highways for eight years. Vincent is active in various AASHTO COMP Technical Subcommittees, such as 5a, 5b, 5d, as well as other regional groups such as the Southeast Pavement Preservation Partnership. Outside of work he enjoys spending time at CrossFit 304 or speaking Esperanto.

Tim Aschenbrener, P.E., is a Senior Asphalt Engineer on the Pavement Materials Team in FHWA’s Headquarters Office of Infrastructure.   His work and expertise focus on asphalt materials, recycled materials, and quality assurance.  Tim joined FHWA in 2012 after working with the Colorado DOT for 22 years. He is Chair of TRB Committee on Quality Assurance Management (AKC30) – a 2022 Blue Ribbon Committee. He received the FHWA Administrator’s 2019 Award for Superior Achievement and is a lifetime member of the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists (AAPT).

Angela Beyke is an Assistant State Materials Engineer for Virginia Department of Transportation overseeing the Asphalt and Pavement Design and Evaluation Programs. With over 11 years at VDOT, Angela has gained experience and knowledge through multiple positions and across material types, including asphalt and concrete. Angela has had a role in many initiatives at VDOT, including statewide quality assurance database for asphalt test results, pavement recycling, MSCR implementation, mix design criteria changes and reinforcing good tack practices. She is currently leading the statewide Balanced Mix Design implementation plan for VDOT.

Angela attended West Virginia University, graduating in 2012 with her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a deep love for Mountaineer football. When she is not working, you can find her cheering on the Mountaineers, chasing her young two kids around or relaxing with a good book.

Michael Black is a Project management Specialist employed by KTA Tator Inc. located in Pittsburgh, PA. where he is responsible for technical management of Quality Assurance for structural fabrication projects on various transportation structures.

Mike has worked in the steel fabrication industry for 25 years. He is a CWI and also holds ACI grade 1, PCI level II and NICET II certifications.

He grew up in Cambridge, Ohio where he owned and operated a welding and fabrication company for 12 years specializing in fracture critical repair of in-service bridges and oil & gas exploration support.

Mourad has a master’s degree in Civil engineering from the University Of Minnesota and is a Professional Engineer in WV and other states.  

 He has over 30 years in management and construction industry and over 3 years with VDOT as Asphalt Program Manager. 

 He has been married for over 32 years to his lovely wife Nancy.  They have one daughter Saida, who is a passionate teacher and married to Chase. 

 He enjoys traveling, watching his Vikings NFL team and the other football “soccer” and of course fishing.

Stormy Brewster started with Marathon in 2008, right before finishing her M.S. Chemistry at Marshall University. Stormy worked in refining for 4 years before transitioning into the Asphalt Technology Group where she has been for 10 years. She has worked in asphalt quality from refining to end customer use.  She has recently transferred to a more marketing dominated role.  Her primary responsibility is asphalt sales out of Viney Branch and Big Sandy asphalt terminals.  She will also continue to be involved in maintaining quality of asphalt at the refinery and terminal level for neat, polymer modified, cutback and emulsified asphalts.  Her favorite part of working in asphalt is innovation and troubleshooting.

Dr. James Bryce is an Assistant Professor and the Pat Parson’s Faculty Fellow in Asphalt Technology in the Wadsworth Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at West Virginia University. He received a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri, and a MS and Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech. 

His primary expertise is the design and management of asphalt pavements, and he has several ongoing research projects with the Federal Highway Administration, Michigan DOT and other agencies on that topic. 

He has received numerous awards for his work, including: the 2021 Weisberg Research Award from the Marshall University College of Engineering and Computer Sciences; the 2017 Best Paper Award at the World Conference on Pavement and Asset Management (Milan, Italy); being selected as a 2014 Marie Curie Research Fellow; the 2013 Jack Dillard Best Paper Award from the Virginia Transportation Research Council; the 2013 National Asphalt Pavement Association Young Leader Award; and a 2011, 2012 and 2013 Dwight D. Eisenhower Fellow by the US Federal Highway Administration.

Jacob Bumgarner PE is the Director of Operations Division at West Virginia Department of Transportation, Division of Highways.  In that role, he directs and is responsible for the groups that manage the pavement and bridge management systems; bridge inspection, repair, and preservation programs; disaster response; safety program; facilities and maintenance management; oversize/overweight permitting; maintenance contracts; encroachment and oil and gas permitting and bonding; and central force crews. Jacob began his career with WVDOH in 2006 in District 3 as a construction project inspector moved to District Maintenance including serving as the District Maintenance Engineer before serving over 4 years in his current role. 

Jacob received his Bachelor of Science of Civil Engineering from West Virginia University. He is a lifetime resident of West Virginia growing up and still living on a farm outside of Elizabeth, WV and has 3 children with his wife, Jill.

Mark Bury is a Product Manager with Master Builders Solutions with 42 years of concrete experience. He has a degree in Applied Science, and a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Baldwin Wallace College. Mark is a Fellow of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) and a Honorary member of ASTM Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates. He is the recent past chairman of subcommittee C09.47 on Self-Consolidating Concrete and current task group chairman of subcommittee C09.23, Section 3, Chemical Admixtures. Mark has multiple patents on durability-related admixtures for concrete, published numerous papers on concrete and admixture technology and performed unique experimentation on concrete in outer space aboard the space shuttle Endeavour.

Matthew Campbell currently serves as a Senior Construction Supervisor for E.L. Robinson Engineering. Along with an A.A.S. degree in Highway Engineering Technology from BridgeValley Community and Technical College, Matthew has over 23 years of experience in the construction materials industry…spending time with consultants, contractors, and WV Dept. of Highways - Materials Control, Soils and Testing Division. Throughout his career, Matthew has overseen multiple materials labs and field-testing programs. He has spent the last six years managing large scale infrastructure projects throughout the region.

I have been in the aggregate industry for 34 years having started out at the former Acme Limestone Company in Fort Springs, WV running the scales while attending college. I worked there for 8 years with the last 2 years as manager of Superior Supply Ready Mix which they owned. In May of 1997 I accepted the position of Sales Manager with Boxley Materials handling sales for the quarry they owned located near Lewisburg, WV. Over the years Boxley acquired quarries in Beckley and Mill Point, WV and I assumed sales responsibilities for those quarries also. In January 2016 the West Virginia division of Boxley was acquired by Old Castle Materials a division of CRH and became Appalachian Aggregates, LLC. Since that time, I have also taken on sales for our quarry located near Elkins, WV.

I have two wonderful children, a son 25 and daughter 17. I reside near Lewisburg, WV with my wife Debbie and when not selling aggregate I enjoy farming, gardening, hunting and an occasional round of golf.

Education- Bluefield State

B.S. Business Administration

A.S. Management

Specialization in Marketing

John Crane is the current Executive Director of the Asphalt Pavement Association of WV.  Prior to joining the APA-WV, John’s sense of adventure kicked in and he left his 8-year career with the WVDOH and moved to Columbus Ohio where he worked with Flexible Pavements of Ohio (Ohio’s Asphalt Trade Association).  While at the WVDOH John served as the state Asphalt Materials Engineer and while at FPO the Southern Region Materials and Field Engineer.  John graduated with his BS and MS in Civil Engineering from West Virginia University and is a professional engineer in WV and OH.  John’s passions lie with crazy socks and bow ties, dark beer (if you can see through it, it’s not dark enough), attempting TPKs at game night, and of course Asphalt Materials.  John resides in the Cross Lanes area with his wife, Rachael, and two children Scarlett and Thatcher.

Nick Davis is from Troy, NY graduating from SUNY Polytech in Utica, NY with a Bachelors in Civil Engineering Technologies. Nick has 7 years of heavy highway experience with the New York State Department of Transportation in which he managed the Concrete pavement, ride quality, and diamond grinding programs. Nick is passionate about investing, and as a tax payer, has a strong desire to help municipalities optimize the life cycle costs of their heavy highway portfolio. He plans to do this by enlightening program managers to see the benefit of diversified investments of both asphalt and concrete pavements and explaining the benefits of early pavement preservation efforts.

Curt Decker is a senior structural engineer with The Lincoln Electric Company in Cleveland, Ohio.  Curt graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1992 with a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering and later earned a master's degree from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and PhD from the University of Illinois at Chicago in the field of structural engineering.  He has been with The Lincoln Electric Company since 2019. Prior to Lincoln Electric, Curt's engineering career encompassed military and private sector experience in structural design, construction, project management, education, and leadership.  Significant military assignments included combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan with the US Army Corps of Engineers and Assistant Professor at West Point teaching courses in structures.  Curt is an AWS qualified welder and Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) and an active member of several American Welding Society and AISC committees.  Curt is a licensed Civil Engineer and Structural Engineer in the state of California.

Bill Fedorka, P.E., is Vice President of CCP Services for The SEFA Group. Bill manages fly ash operations & support, environmental services, and business development overseeing all activities related to the development of technologies to beneficiate coal combustion residuals (CCR). Bill has nearly 20 years’ experience in the design, construction, and operation of thermal beneficiation facilities. Prior to joining the company in January 2005, Bill spent more than 10 years working with ALSTOM Power (formerly Combustion Engineering). He holds a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Penn State and a Professional Engineering License (PE) from the state of Pennsylvania.

Hany Fekry, M.C.E., P.E.

Geotechnical Engineer

Material and Research section

Delaware Department of Transportation

Over 27 years’ experience as a Civil and Geotechnical Engineer working for private’s firm and state agency. Have been at DelDOT since 2008.

Graduated from Alexandria University, Egypt in 1990 with a BS in Civil Engineering.

Graduated from New Jersey Institute of Technology with a master’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering in 2008

Professional Engineering License, State of Delaware, since 2008

Experience in the analysis and evaluation of site investigation, design, construction, and acceptance of structure foundations, retaining walls, earthwork, and/or other geotechnical features.

Evaluate and review permit applications, blueprints, and designs to ensure compliance with specifications and regulations and provide geotechnical design recommendations.

Experience in the investigation and evaluation of subsurface soil or geologic conditions and properties for the purpose of designing stable foundation systems, earthen structures, and the remediation of subsurface conditions Governor's Team Excellence Award Issued by State of Delaware · May 2015

SpringerLink · Jul 12, 2017, publication I-495 in Wilmington, Delaware USAI-495 in Wilmington, Delaware USA

Father of 3 wonderful children – Kyrollos Esq., Parthenamary and Philopateer

Husband of 26+ years to Mirna Anis

Dedicated Coach and Referee for youth Soccer

Brad Fletcher, S.E., is the senior sales engineer at Atlas Tube. In this role, Brad leverages his over 30 years of experience in engineering design and the steel industry to provide technical expertise on the use of steel hollow structural sections (HSS) and pipe piling products to design engineers, detailers, fabricators and architects. 

A registered structural engineer in the state of Illinois, Brad has held senior positions at leading architecture and engineering firms, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill; Sargent & Lundy; and Halvorson and Partners. For the past seventeen years, while working at Tata Steel (formerly known as Corus) and now with Atlas Tube, Brad has focused his efforts on serving as a liaison between structural designers and the steel industry. 

Brad holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE, MSCE) from Purdue University. He is active in many industry groups, including the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), the Structural Engineers Association of Illinois (SEAOI) and ASTM International. Brad participates in several industry committees such as the Technical Committees responsible for the AISC Specification, the HSS Committee of the Steel Tube Institute, the CISC Education and Research Committee, the CSA S16 Technical Committee, the AISC Committee on Research, the AISC Sustainability Committee and the NCSEA Sustainability Committee.

Susan is an enthusiastic leader and educator that inspires creativity and knows how to deliver solutions. Her experience in both industrial and commercial construction includes shrinkage-compensating concrete, CSA cements, air & moisture-barriers, decking & waterproofing systems, stucco, EIFS, tile setting materials, architectural finishes and decorative overlays, epoxy and urethane coatings and flooring systems, marine coatings, and secondary containment. She holds a Masters of Business Administration from UMUC along with a number of technical and professional certifications. She’s passionate about making a difference and is excited to share how shrinkage-compensating concrete can help optimize performance, sustainability, service life and value of concrete structures in all types of concrete and grout applications.

Adam Gillispie is an Engineer with the WVDOH with over 15 years of concrete experience, primarily dealing with precast and prestressed concrete. He has authored several Specs and MPs for the WVDOH. He has Bachelors Science Degrees in both Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, as well as a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering from West Virginia University. Before working in the Concrete industry he worked in the Defense and Aerospace Sector designing rocket motors and warheads. He also did utility building design for the Oil and Natural Gas industries.

Ms. Gilmer is a nationally recognized steel fabrication expert with over 20 years of experience in structural steel bridge fabrication and coating, providing technical consultation and quality management related to bridge projects. 

She is a highly regarded contributor to many bridge-related codes and standards. With her experience as both a Texas DOT engineer and a steel fabrication shop quality manager, Ms. Gilmer offers a multifaceted perspective on fabrication issues. She now is a Senior Engineer with Pennoni.

Mr. Gross is a senior project manager at Snyder and Associates, Inc. He graduated from Iowa State University in 1997. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Iowa and Florida. He has provided technical training, research and authored guidance documents related to concrete pavement for the National Concrete Pavement Technology Center. He enjoys biking, fishing, and spending time with his family and Labrador retriever Duke.

Jagan Gudimettla currently works as the Project Manager for the FHWA’s Mobile Concrete Technology Center. He has been working as a consultant for the FHWA since 2003. Work has taken him to all 50 states where he demonstrated new technologies and best practices to transportation professionals from agencies, industry, and academia. His areas of interest include quality assurance, advanced material testing, non-destructive testing and pavement design. Jagan received his master’s degree in Pavements/Materials from Auburn University. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in Virginia, Maryland and California. He is the current chair of the TRB’s Concrete Pavement and Rehabilitation Committee, AKC50.

Charles Hanskat, P.E., is a Fellow member of the American Concrete Institute, American Society of Civil Engineers, and the Florida Engineering Society. He is Executive Director and Technical Director for the American Shotcrete Association. He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Florida and has been a licensed professional engineer for over 40 years.

Hanskat has been involved in the design, construction, evaluation, and repair of environmental concrete, marine, building, and shotcrete structures throughout his career. Hanskat is active in developing codes and standards from many professional and technical engineering societies, including ACI, ASTM, AREMA, and ICRI.

Dale is the Executive Director of the Builders Supply Association of West Virginia.  The association is dedicated to the education and promotion of the use of concrete materials in West Virginia.  Dale is an alumnus of WVUIT and has served in many capacities over the past 20 years in the West Virginia construction industry.

In 2002 Dale was published in “Road and Bridges” due to his design efforts of “fast track concrete pavement in West Virginia’.

In 2009 Dale convinced the Builders Supply Association to lead the Educational and Promotional efforts of “Full Depth Reclamation” in West Virginia – after working with the WVDOH to create a procedure specification this product has “recreated” many miles of road within the State especially in the areas of the Marcellus Shale projects.  This innovative procedure to revitalize worn existing asphalt pavements is a proven procedure to save money, natural resources and reduce landfill quantities.

Dale decided on a career in the concrete industry after his plans to become a pro golfer, Indy driver, rock star and Nobel Prize winner were not realized!

Kyle Hoegh is a Research Engineer at the Minnesota Department of Transportation who currently serves as the project manager of the Transportation Pooled Fund titled, “Continuous Asphalt Mixture Compaction Assessment using Density Profiling System (DPS).”  Kyle received his Ph.D in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota in 2013.

Brian Hogge is the Construction Team Leader in the FHWA Office of Infrastructure. In this role, he is responsible for the development of agency policies, objectives, priorities, and technical guidance in highway contract administration, construction, and construction technology. 

Before this role, Brian served as the Division Administrator of the FHWA West Virginia Division. Brian has also worked in the FHWA Divisions in Alabama, Minnesota, and Michigan. 

Before joining FHWA, Brian worked for the Connecticut DOT and the University of Connecticut. 

He received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Brigham Young University. Brian is a native of Anchorage, Alaska and has four children with his wife, Erika.

Began working in Materials Testing circa 1978 in the Aerospace industry, working for McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing), then Northrop (now NorthrupGrumman) on the B2 Program in California for 16 years.

In 1994 we made the move to Kentucky as opportunities presented themselves to work for the Asphalt Institute:

1994

Began working in the Mixtures Lab as a Research Technologist, with a focus on performance Testing of asphalt mixtures.

1997

As a team effort with the Laboratory, gained accreditation with the AASHTO Accreditation Program (AAP), acting as the Quality Manager.

2003-2014

Laboratory Manager over the Binder and Emulsion Laboratories.

2011-current

Created a team to develop and manage R18LabQMS, Launch v1.0 March 2013.

Shawn began his career with the Division of Highways in 1997 as a Materials Lab Technician in District 4. In 2001, he went to work for Thrasher Engineering, where he remained in a variety of roles until 2011. Given the opportunity to return to Highways in 2011, he returned to District 4 Materials as the Field Coordinator, later becoming the District Materials Supervisor. In June of 2020, Shawn assumed his current position as the Asphalt Section Supervisor at Materials Control, Soils and Testing Division.

Roxanne Jenkins is a Technical Service and Development Scientist in Dow’s Infrastructure, Consumer, & Transportation group of Dow Packaging and Specialty Plastics based in Lake Jackson, TX, and is responsible for development efforts in Infrastructure and Consumer related market segments. Roxanne is the Application Development Leader for Paving and is responsible for leading the growth in this segment and driving the use of PCR in paving with the help of Elvaloy™ RET as a compatibilizer. Prior to this role, Roxanne was a Research Scientist in Dow’s Oil, Gas & Water Treatment (OGWT) division of Dow Industrial Solutions (DIS) where she drove the strategy and technology development of chemical additives for oil sands and flow assurance applications. Roxanne holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Texas A&M University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of Texas at San Antonio. 

Joe is an experienced professional engineer with over 33 years of experience in the highway and bridge construction sector. He has excellent reputation for resolving problems, improving customer satisfaction, and understanding operational procedures. Joe has been involved at every level from the simplest projects to the largest and most complex to be ever awarded at the WVDOH. After 30 years with the WVDOH, Joe retired as the District Engineer and began his career with Stantec. At Stantec, Joe uses that wealth of knowledge and experience to provide construction management services to clients in the region.

Joe is a lifelong resident of Chester, Wv where he lives with his wife Jodie. He is a devoted family man and enjoys spending time with them in the great outdoors.

After serving in the US Army, Travis began his career with the West Virginia Division of Highways in 1994. He has been instrumental in the Survey and Mapping in WV with the installation of a Statewide RTN, terrestrial scanning and forming a UAS Group in 2018.   As the Director of the Technical Support Division he is responsible for NEPA and Permitting, Geotechnical Services (including drilling), Alternate Project Delivery, Publications and Survey and Mapping services including the UAV program. 

Michael Mahoney M.A.Sc, PE, FACI is the Director of Marketing and Technology for Fiber Reinforced Concrete for the Euclid Chemical Company in Cleveland, Ohio. He is a Fellow of the American Concrete Institute and served as chairman for ACI sub-committee 544A on the Production and Applications of Fiber Reinforced Concrete. He is the current President of the Fiber Reinforced Concrete Association, served on committees for the National Pre-Cast Concrete Association and the American Society for Testing and Materials. He has been involved with precast and pervious concrete projects, structural health monitoring of bridges using non-destructive testing methods and performed material characterization and testing of concrete and shotcrete mixtures. He co-authored several papers about FRC, shotcrete, carbon footprint of fiber materials and innovative bridge systems and currently directs research and marketing projects while educating engineers and contractors on the use of FRC. In 1997, Michael obtained his master’s degree in Civil Engineering from the Technical University of Nova Scotia, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada where he helped to develop and patent an innovative synthetic fiber for concrete reinforcement.

Katheryn Malusky is the Program Director for AASHTO’s National Transportation Product Evaluation Program (NTPEP), which resides in the Engineering Division at AASHTO.  Katheryn graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania. She began working for AASHTO in 2006 and has been involved with the NTPEP Program since 2008. Katheryn manages and oversees the operations of the NTPEP program and also works closely with several of the NTPEP technical committees and the NTPEP Steering Committee.

Clay graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering.  He worked for the Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory (CCRL) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as a laboratory inspector for six years. Clay has been working for cement technical services for the past 16 years.

(I) EDUCATION:

B.Sc. in Civil Engineering, Haile Selassie 1 st University, Ethiopia (1973)

M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Geotechnical Engineering, University of Oklahoma (1982)

(II) WORK EXPERIENCE:

Teaching:

Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, 1973 -1976

University of Massachusetts at Lowell Mass, 1982 -1991

Private Sector Employment

Haley and Aldrich, 1997-1998

NHP Foundation, 1998 - 1999

EMSI Engineering, 1999 -2005

Mactech Engineering Inc.2005 -2007

Public Sector

DDOT, Chief Materials Engineer , 2007 – Present

Municipality of Asmara, Eritrea, 1991- 1997

Ronnie Medlock is a professional engineer and is Vice President - Technical Services, at High Steel Structures LLC in Lancaster PA, where he is responsible for quality control and for technology advancements. High Steel produces fabricated steel for I-girder, tub girder, arch, truss and cable-stayed bridges. 

 Prior to joining High Steel in 2006, Ronnie worked for TxDOT in materials (1988 to 2001) and in structures design (2001 to 2006). 

 Ronnie is a member of several professional associations. He is originally from El Paso, Texas and earned BS and MS degrees at UT Austin.

Jeremy R. Mertz is a Professional Engineer employed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation in the Bridge Office Structural Materials Section as an assistant Structural Materials Engineer in the Steel Fabrication Unit.

Mr. Mertz Graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Engineering Technology in 1997. 

He’s been with PennDOT since 2008. He is a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) and is PCI Level III Certified for concrete precast and prestressed fabrication inspection. Mr. Mertz currently assists with overseeing the Quality Assurance program for PennDOT’s Approved Steel fabrication and coating facilities. He assists in Maintaining department specifications and standards for steel fabrication, steel design and coatings.

Sean Miller is a Customer Success Manager at Haul Hub Technologies. He partners with producers/contractors/State DOTs to digitize and streamline the flow of ticket data to improve operational efficiency both in the field and back office.  

In his previous role at HaulHub, he supported dispatchers and fleets/brokers who utilize HaulHub Transport Management System.  

He grew up in Knoxville, TN and graduated from the University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management.  Sean moved to Atlanta in 2016, where he currently resides. Prior to HaulHub, Sean has worked at Georgia-Pacific, LLC, and The Home Depot Corp, where he managed the supply/demand forecasting and logistics execution across various product categories.

Hi, my name is Justin Moffitt, EIT. I am a native of Charleston, West Virginia. I began my college career at WVU where I developed an interest in engineering and received a minor in communications. I continued my engineering studies at WVU Institute of Technology, where I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. After graduating during the Great Recession and working a few restaurant jobs I found my engineering home at WVDOH Materials Control, Soils and Testing Division. I have been employed at MCS&T for 13 years. Through the years I have contributed to many important construction projects for the state of West Virginia. Some construction projects include Corridor H, Chief Logan State Park and the Thomas Buford Pugh Bridge that started with collecting core samples with the MCS&T Drill Crew. Interesting research projects I spear-headed are the desorption rate of Light Weight Aggregate, repurposing Marcellus Shale drill cuttings as construction material and the effects of washed versus unwashed aggregate in fine aggregate Specific Gravity for volumetric mix designs. Outside of the engineering world I enjoy camping, swimming and being outdoors with my two children Violet and August, as well as soaking up Charleston’s live local music scene. 

Ahmed Mongi, P.E. is a Senior Bridge Engineer with HDR Engineering Inc. in Charleston, West Virginia office. Prior to joining HDR Engineering Inc. in March 2022, Ahmed worked for the West Virginia Department of Transportation, Division of Highways for over 30 years in various capacities such as Bridge Review Section Head, Structures Project Manager, Project Construction Engineer of the Kanawha River Bridge (WVARNG Sergeant Glenn F. Lough, P.E. Memorial Bridge) which holds United States record for the longest span of Cast-In-Place concrete box girder using balanced cantilever construction method. He was a member of the Technical Committee for Bearings and Expansion Devices (T-2), Technical Committee for Loads and Load Distribution (T-5), and Technical Committee for Metals Fabrication (T-17) of the AASHTO Committee on Bridges and Structures (COBS). Ahmed is a licensed Civil Engineer in the States of West Virginia and Ohio.

Ahmed received his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (1985) and in Civil Engineering (1988), and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering (1991) from the West Virginia University.

Ahmed resides in Charleston with his lovely wife, Hannah, and they are blessed with three beautiful daughters. When not working, Ahmed likes to travel and take pictures of bridges.

Bachelor of Civil Engineering- Ga. Tech 1973

Master of Engineering- Penn State 1994

Mr. Dennis Morian has over 40 years of highway and transportation engineering experience.  His experience includes 20 years with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation where he served in various positions, including those of a District Pavement Design Engineer, Chief Pavement Engineer, Construction Quality Assurance Engineer, and Chief Structural Materials Engineer. After leaving PennDOT, Mr. Morian worked as Co-Principal Investigator (PI) for the FHWA Long Term Pavement Performance contracts in the North Atlantic Region and PI for the Western Region. He has provided pavement engineering for several design-build projects including Legacy Parkway in UT, Toll Road/State Route 125 in San Diego County, CA, the Butler Valley Interchange of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and the Elizabeth River Tunnel project in Portsmouth, VA.

He co-founded Quality Engineering Solutions in 1997 and has continued to be an active participant in the pavement community.  He has served on several TRB committees, a has produced over 70 technical articles, reports, and papers and is a co-author of the ASCE publication “Construction Quality in the Alternate Project Delivery Environment”.

BS Chemistry University of Richmond

Masters Engineering Management ODU

NACE III now called Senior Certified Coatings Inspector

CWI

CQA certified Quality auditor

Retired as Chief Chemist in the Materials Division of the Virginia Department of Transportation after 29 years

Consultant employee at 3M for 3 years

Senior Coatings Consultant/inspector with KTA for 27 years

Dr. Pailes is the Principal Engineer of Vector Corrosion Services (VCS).  Dr. Pailes has been with VCS for over 8 years and has over 12 years’ experience in the evaluation and rehabilitation of civil infrastructure.  Dr. Pailes has extensive knowledge of nondestructive evaluation, corrosion of reinforcing steel, and material testing. Has performed condition assessments on various type of infrastructure, including bridges, ports, dams, buried structures, buildings, and industrial sites.  Dr. Pailes is a member of: ASCE and PCI, is the Chairman of the NACE Standard Committee on Concrete and is an active member of the Transportation Research Board Corrosion Committee, American Association of Port Authorities Facilities Engineering Committee, Coasts Oceans Ports & Rivers Institute Asset Management Task Force, and American Society of Nondestructive Testing Infrastructure Committee.

 As the Vice President of CAST CONNEX, Jennifer leverages over 15 years of experience in design and construction to support engineers, architects, and contractors in the use of cast steel connections to optimize performance, economy, aesthetics, and constructability.

 Jennifer is Chair of the AASHTO/NSBA Collaboration Task Group 17: Steel Castings, a Director of the Board of the Structural Engineers Association of New York, and she was named to the ENR National Top 20 Under 40 class of 2022.

 Prior to joining CAST CONNEX, Jennifer worked as a structural engineering consultant based in New York City, Africa, and Southeast Asia on both new construction and retrofits for a vast array of structural typologies, including museums, tall buildings, bridges, art installations, and strengthening of low-tech vernacular buildings in developing nations. She received a BS in Civil Engineering with a Minor in Architecture from Carnegie Mellon University and a Master of Science in Engineering from Princeton University.

Buzz earned a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at Auburn University with an emphasis in pavements and geomaterials.  He worked for 12 years with the Alabama DOT and 2 years in the private sector before becoming NCAT's first Test Track Manager in 1999.  Hundreds of test sections have been built at the NCAT Pavement Test Track in the practical study of mix/materials, structural pavement design, and pavement preservation.  He is now an NCAT Associate Director and an Auburn University Research Professor.

Jason is a Senior Research Scientist at the Virginia Transportation Research Council conducting research for the Virginia DOT, with a focus on implementing results into standard VDOT practice. Jason's primary research focus during his 5 years at the VTRC has been on developing long-term durable solutions for steel bridges to reduce maintenance costs. Much of this research has been centered on the stainless steel ASTM A709 Grade 50CR as well as the bolted and welded connections used with this steel. Prior to joining the Research Council, Jason worked as a contract researcher for 5 years at the Federal Highway Administration's Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center. Jason Received his BS degree in civil engineering from Michigan State University in 2009 and his MS degree in civil engineering from Purdue University in 2011.

Ryan Rathbun is a principal geologist for the Bureau of Materials Testing & Research within the New Jersey Department of Transportation.  He is involved with the qualification of aggregates sources, recycled materials, and cement products.  His research areas include friction testing and petrographic identification.  He has a master’s degree from Rutgers University and a bachelors from University of New Hampshire in geology.

Tony Serdenes is the Corrosion Protection Pursuits Leader for Greenman Pedersen, Inc. (GPI). He is an AMPP Protective Coatings Specialist, Senior Certified Coatings Inspector, Bridge Coatings Inspector Level I, and C-3 Lead Paint Removal certificated with over 35 years of experience in the bridge coatings industry. He currently serves as the Chair of AMPP’s Technical Committee for Transportation. He also serves on two standard committees (Accreditation and Coatings System Application, Maintenance, and Inspection) and the Certification Program Committee.  He worked with the Federal Highway Administration in the development of a training course for bridge preservation for field personnel titled “Coating and Painting Bridge Superstructures”

Nicholas Shrawder works for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Bridge Office Structural Materials Section as a Senior Civil Engineer Supervisor. 

Nicholas assists with overseeing fabrication of structural steel products and nondestructive evaluations for the Department. 

Nicholas is also involved in a number of professional organizations such as the AASHTO/AWS Bridge Welding Committee and the American Society of Nondestructive Testing.

Dr. Snyder is a registered professional engineer with more than 40 years of experience in concrete materials and pavement structures, including 13 years as a professor at Michigan State University and the University of Minnesota, and many additional years in the concrete paving industry and as an engineering consultant. He is the author of more than 100 papers and technical reports (7 of which have received awards) and is a long-time advocate for long-life pavement design and construction. When he’s not doing pavement engineering work, he is a father of four (including two still in high school) and recovering musician.

Ron Stanevich received his degree in Civil Engineering in December 1994 from West Virginia University, and was soon employed with the West Virginia Division of Highways in February 1995 working in Construction in District Three.

In 1998 Ron transferred to District One working in the Design section where he eventually became the District Design Engineer before transferring to Contract Administration Division in 2008 to become the State's Specification Engineer.   

Ron worked in Contract Administration from 2008 to 2015, performing the duties of the specifications engineer, and part time Regional Construction Engineer and Acting Division Director.

In 2015 Ron accepted the job as Director of Materials Control Soils and Testing Division.

When he is not working he is enjoying his time outside with his overgrown dog - Daima, listening to loud music and enjoying cold beverages.

Suman received his bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Civil Engineering in 2016, and soon started working at the West Virginia Division of Highways in Materials Division. He has been working in the Cement & Concrete Group all these years researching new materials, revised Specification and write new Specification. He developed the in-house ASR testing program and wrote the ASR Specification. Suman is currently the Supervisor of Cement & Concrete Group.

Currently, he is pursuing an online master’s degree in Transportation Engineering from Michigan State University. Suman, his parents, his wife, and his two children reside in Charleston, West Virginia.

Travis B Walbeck, PE is the Training Manager and an Engineer at NCAT and has worked as a Civil Engineer for 22 years.  

He worked with the West Virginia Division of Highways as the State Pavement Engineer.  

Travis has been active in regional and national pavement and materials associations.  He is a current member of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Standing Committees, Pavement Preservation (AHD18) and Pavement Condition Evaluation (AFD20), and the TSP2 Emulsions Task Force. 

Michael is the Northeast US- Divisional Sales Manager for The Euclid Chemical Company. He has worked in the concrete industry for 35 years. 25 years with Euclid and previous to that in the ready-mix concrete as well as the aggregate industries. He is a past President of both the NJ Chapter of the American Concrete Institute (NJ ACI), as the Concrete Industry Board of New York City (CIB of NYC). He is currently Vice President of the Concrete Industry Foundation (CIF of NYC). Previously, he served on the Board of Directors for the Northeast Chapter of the American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA), The NY City Concrete Promotional Council and chaired the NJ Concrete and Aggregates (NJCAA) Technical Committee. Michael served as an ACI Certified Field Level 1 Instructor for many years as well as an instructor for the NJACI Concrete Contractor Certification Program. He holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from Clarkson University and a Masters in Engineering Management from Widener University.

Mr. Amanuel Welderufael has been working with Maryland DOT State Highway Administration, Office of Materials Technology as Aggregate Lab Team Leader since 2017. He oversees the Aggregate Quality Assurance program for MDOT SHA. He studied Civil Engineering at the University of Amara, Eritrea. He has over ten years of experience in material testing and management. Prior to joining MDOT, he worked as a Transportation Engineer in Eritrea and United Arab Emirates.

Mr. Welderufael is an expert in evaluating the characteristics of aggregates in lab and field for asphalt and concrete mixes. He was key member of the AASHTO Task force that developed the AASHTO Standards: PP103 and PP104 for friction testing of Aggregates and Asphalt Mixes. These standards were published in 2020.  

James is a multi-disciplinary geophysicist/geologist with over 15 years of experience in environmental and geotechnical engineering fields. 

Mr. Whitt specializes in the application of a wide range of near-surface geophysical techniques to environmental and engineering investigations.  

He also has extensive experience with nondestructive testing and vibration monitoring.

Ben White received his civil engineering degree from Case Western Reserve University in 2003.  He has been with GRL Engineers for 20 years and is currently a senior engineer with them.  Ben specializes in consulting and testing of deep foundations. While he still spends plenty of time on job sites performing testing, he has dedicated himself to advancing deep foundation testing through active organizational and committee memberships, presentations, and publications.

Over 40 years’ experience in the aggregate industry. Since 1993  I have managed multiple quarry operations. I joined CRH in 2006 through the acquisition of W-L Construction & Paving, inc and most recently serve as President and General Manager for Appalachian Aggregates, LLC (A CRH Company). Married for over 39 years to my lovely wife Kathy. We have a daughter Lindsey and a son John Riley and several grandchildren. I enjoy Target shooting, watching Alabama Football and spending time with my family.

Eric Williams is the National Sales Manager in the US for Vector Corrosion Technologies. Eric works with the Business Development Group throughout the US to aid in the preservation of steel reinforced structures facing corrosion issues. Eric is an ICRI member where he is actively involved in several chapters and a member of the Corrosion Committee as well as a member of the AMPP Technical Committee for Transportation. 

Jeff Withee is a Senior Highway Materials Engineer on the Pavement Design and Performance Team within the Office of Infrastructure.  He is the Quality Assurance Program Manager covering areas including risk-based agency acceptance, independent assurance, and laboratory accreditation.  He has been at the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for 12 years having also led programs in asphalt performance testing and highway materials training.  Prior to FHWA, Jeff spent 12 years with the Maryland State Highway Administration (MDSHA) working in pavement design, soils & aggregates, and materials quality assurance.

Jimmy Wriston, P.E. was appointed in October 2021 by Governor Jim Justice to serves as Secretary of Transportation and Commissioner of Highways. He previously served as the Deputy Secretary and Deputy Commissioner, as  Chief Transportation Engineer/Special Projects Manager/Engineering Advisor to the Secretary of Transportation, as Structures Project Manager for the Engineering Division, and began his career with West Virginia Division of Highways as a Regional Design Engineer in District 9. Mr. Wriston attended the West Virginia Institute of Technology and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, after obtaining his General Equivalency Diploma in his 30's following a career in everything from machinery, to construction projects, to managing a pizza restaurant.  Wriston is a champion for education and believes West Virginia Department of Transportation has the capability to be the best educated DOT in the country, citing his own example of overcoming the stigma of a young man who dropped out of high school to go to work at a young age to the role he now holds, a progression which was made possible both by hard work and by seeking continuous education.