Craig Parker, 2018 NAPA chairmanCraig Parker is being sworn in today, February 12, as 2018 chairman of the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) during the association’s 63rd Annual Meeting in San Diego.
As chairman, Parker is responsible for guiding NAPA’s efforts to support the asphalt pavement industry.
Parker is executive vice president of Silver Star Construction, based in Moore, Oklahoma. The company operates one asphalt plant and offers paving and related construction services in the Oklahoma City area.
Parker takes the gavel at a time of optimism for the industry, with market conditions continuing to expand in most geographical areas of the country.
Among topics being taken up at the annual meeting today is the state of the asphalt industry, with a focus on the different material segments used in the production of asphalt.
As the annual meeting got under way in San Diego Sunday, Parker extended a special welcome to new members and first-timers to the meeting, encouraging them to take advantage of educational seminars being offered through Wednesday.
Worker safety and quality pavements are among his priorities for his term, Parker says.
“Roadbuilding is a dangerous job, and we need to find ways to make it a safer work environment for all of our employees,” he says.
“With its training and education programs, NAPA is focused on worker safety, and we are committed to seeing companies put innovations into place to make what we do safer and more efficient.”
Parker will also work with NAPA’s professional staff on the need for infrastructure investment and a stable funding stream for construction, maintenance, and improvement of the nation’s infrastructure.
Parker has been an active member of NAPA, serving seven years as the state director for Oklahoma, as well as providing oversight of NAPA-directed research into asphalt’s performance and environmental characteristics.
He also served on the task group overseeing revisions to the Diamond Commendations program, which recognizes asphalt plants, terminals, and paving crews for adherence to best practices and a commitment to quality.
Parker takes over for outgoing chairman Dan Gallagher of Gallagher Asphalt Corporation in Thornton, Illinois.
