Reflecting on 2025 and Looking Ahead to 2026

As 2025 comes to a close, Richard and Brett take a moment to reflect on a year marked by progress, resilience, and meaningful engagement across the asphalt pavement industry. During the 99th episode of Pave It Black, NAPA leaders come together to discuss the visible successes and behind-the-scenes efforts that defined the year and to share what members can expect in 2026. NAPA President and CEO Audrey Copeland, Director of Government Affairs Mitch Baldwin, and Senior Vice President of Membership Ester Magorka offer a candid look at the accomplishments, lessons learned, and momentum that continue to move the association and the industry forward.

Key achievements including successful national meetings, significant growth of NAPA PAC, expanded plant tours, and member-focused initiatives stand out during the discussion. We also look ahead to 2026, highlighting priorities like surface transportation reauthorization, continued advocacy on Capitol Hill, a redesigned NAPA website, and deeper collaboration with industry partners.

These highlights offer just a glimpse into our conversation. Tune in to the full episode to hear even more insights on 2025 successes and what’s to come in 2026.

R: Looking back over 2025, what’s an achievement that NAPA had that you’d like to highlight that our members should be aware of?

AC: Thanks, Richard. There’s a lot to be proud of. First of all, this year we have a chairman and a board that care about this association, and they really showed up in terms of helping support us as we navigated some issues this year. I think just the relationship that our staff has with our board and the trust there culminated this year. Although it’s not a singular event that happened this year, it’s culminated over years and years, but it was just proven out this year that there’s just immense trust between our board, our staff, and the work we do. I would really like to highlight that.

B: Was there something that happened in 2025 that was unexpected that provided a learning lesson or provided a win that maybe wasn’t even on the horizon that you came across the year?

EM: I’m going to chat a little bit about something that your team did here this year, Richard. NAPA, through its contract with the Federal Aviation Administration through its cooperative agreement, was able this year to put down test strips with one of our award-winning contractors out in the New Jersey area. We got to see firsthand the everyday ins and outs that our contractors are dealing with, whether it’s changes to mix design or setting up a portable plant, or dealing with our owners out there as well as the traveling public. It was an eye-opening experience for our staff here, and I thought it was something new that I had not experienced in our 20 years.

R: Looking back over 2025, what was your favorite NAPA meeting? Or you had the fondest memories, and why? Or was there one event or one speaker that made it feel that way for you?

MB: It’s got to be Hawaii. That was my first trip to Hawaii, and I don’t think it will be my last. It was a beautiful event. One thing that kind of got my attention, and I’ve obviously worked at NAPA, this is coming on my two years, how many families were there. That kind of inspired me because that means that it’s not just a work trip. You brought your family because you want to spend time with others that are in the industry and other families within the industry. I think that really caught my eye and attention.