Jon Young’s Retirement Showcases Asphalt Spirit
BY Sandy Lender
When Jon Young joined the asphalt industry, he brought with him a civil engineering background. He had served as a senior project manager at Belt Collins Hawaii (an engineering design consulting firm) and as a site design and construction manager at Gentry Homes. His responsibilities in those positions, as well as others, paved the way for communication among the different stakeholders in the Hawaii Asphalt Paving Industry (HAPI) as he took on the role of the group’s executive director in 2011.
“My diverse background in both the private and public sectors has been integral to my current role as executive director,” Young shared. “Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work in various settings—from being a sole proprietor and working at a small, three-person engineering design office to managing projects at large corporations and family-owned businesses. I’ve worked as a consultant, a client, a construction manager and a senior project manager.
“All these roles taught me the importance of collaboration, flexibility and how to view situations from multiple angles. Whether I’m dealing with an engineer, contractor or client, I can empathize with their priorities and find common ground. This holistic approach has been invaluable in navigating the complexities of the Hawaii asphalt industry, where the key to success is understanding the unique challenges faced by each group and creating solutions that benefit everyone involved.”
Teaching Moments
Collaboration turned out to be a core element in Young’s leadership at HAPI. One of the exemplary programs he instituted for the HAPI membership is the HAPI Shorts lunch time lessons. Todd Mansell, a product application specialist for Caterpillar Global Paving is one of the recurring instructors for HAPI Shorts.
“I’ve had the greatest pleasure of working with Jon over most of his time at HAPI,” Mansell shared. “After first meeting at a NAPA meeting over 10 years ago, our working relationship also became a personal friendship as we soon found that we could start talking about planning for a HAPI Shorts learning session, then talk for hours and end up on another topic completely.”
Young described the HAPI Shorts in detail. “HAPI Shorts lunch time lessons launched in July 2020 to satisfy people’s appetite for asphalt knowledge,” Young shared. “Topics range from general subjects such as open-graded mixes, stone matrix asphalt, and specifying asphalt mixtures—which I present myself—to specialty topics covered by industry leaders, such as modified binder, VRAM, and mat defects. We also include non-industry topics like public speaking tips and career insights for effective leadership. Two or three new topics are added each year; this year, determining in-place density was added.
“We’ve conducted about 170 sessions attended by over 1,450 participants—not just from Hawaii, but from states like California, Florida and New York, and countries including Serbia, Canada, Japan, India and Saudi Arabia.”
Young shared that Milan Marinković, a professor at the Faculty of Technical Sciences Novi Sad in Serbia, has attended nearly every HAPI Shorts session since mid-June 2022, “Use of Recycled Materials in Pavement.” As of the end of August 2025, he had attended 83 sessions. A note from Marinković: “There are several reasons why I have attended so many HAPI Shorts. I found out about HAPI Shorts through LinkedIn post because the topic for 18.06.2022 was related to my Ph.D. Thesis…from week to week I liked the themes and concept of HAPI shorts. Other reasons are related to Executive Director of HAPI Jon Young. Jon possesses such energy that it is unbelievable…for someone his age. He is very dedicated to convey his knowledge and experience in an interesting way. I learned so much from him not only about professional things but about the way of life. I can safely say that he has become a good friend of mine for life.”
“The biggest challenge has been keeping the sessions engaging for everyone—from industry newcomers to seasoned professionals,” Young contiued. “The most rewarding part is seeing participants respond with enthusiasm and appreciation, whether it’s a technical takeaway or a new skill for professional growth.”
Mansell spoke of other education Young augmented. “Jon is very open-minded and always willing to listen and learn, even though he is very experienced and knowledgeable himself. I believe he really advanced the HAPI Newsletter into the informative publication that it is today, along with really promoting education and learning opportunities for HAPI members in Hawaii and beyond.”
Director of Engineering and Training Danny Geirhart (at left) and Western U.S. Regional Engineer Jhony Habbouche presented outgoing HAPI Executive Director Jon Young (between them) with the rare and prestigious Asphalt Institute Medallion, honoring his quiet yet significant contributions to the asphalt industry. Also photographed is incoming HAPI Executive Director Brandon Lima (at right). Photo courtesy of Asphalt Institute
Passion and Persistence for the Job
When Young accepted the role at HAPI, he hadn’t fallen in love with the industry yet, but he explained how that gradually happened.
“When I first considered taking the job 14 years ago, I asked myself, ‘Could I learn to love asphalt?’ I told myself I could—and I was right. A big part of that love came from the people I met along the way. I was inspired by engineers at the Asphalt Institute, whose passion and professionalism were contagious. My first NAPA annual meeting in 2012 left a lasting impression. Members were welcoming, excited and inclusive. One of my favorite experiences was the first-time attendees’ event, where icebreaker games and introductions instantly made me feel part of the community.”
The state asphalt pavement association (SAPA) group also played a key role for Young. “My first summer meeting in Texas won me over. Everyone was supportive and observing how seasoned executives helped newcomers feel at ease taught me a lot about the collaborative spirit of this industry. It wasn’t a single moment but a gradual realization. About two or three years in, I understood that I truly love this industry. Working alongside dedicated, passionate professionals—and seeing the tangible impact of our work on communities—made me fall in love with asphalt: its challenges, its people and its purpose.”
Young shared that the people were what he truly appreciated about the industry.
“Colleagues, engineers, contractors, agency staff, and volunteers alike bring professionalism, generosity, and a willingness to help others succeed. Even when challenges arise, there’s a shared commitment to getting things right. The mentorship, collaboration and camaraderie I’ve experienced have been as meaningful as the work itself—and that’s what makes this industry so rewarding.”
That feeling of camaraderie is shared among his colleagues. Reed Ryan, the president of Asphalt Institute, Lexington, Kentucky, has served in SAPA alongside Young and spoke highly of his mentor and friend. Ryan formed the Utah Asphalt Pavement Association (UAPA) in 2012 and served as its executive director for 12 years.
“Where the mentorship comes in is, Jon helped me when I was asked to start UAPA. Jon was the first to welcome me with a handshake and offer guidance. His demeanor is very welcoming and open. From there, our professional relationship and friendship blossomed.”
Ryan also spoke of Young’s collaborative spirit. “He brought some Hawaii DOT members to UDOT.” The DOT personnel were able to share best practices and participate in an information exchange that proved beneficial for both parties.
When it came to the SAPA group, Young again shared his collaborative spirit and passion for the industry by stepping up to handle tasks that his previous experience made him more than qualified to take on. “Jon carried the organizational torch to keep SAPA working and keep us all feeling like a cohesive unit,” Ryan said. “He was good at keeping the books in place and keeping up with the Facebook page. He was the best person for all of that because of his nature.”
Young may not have realized it until it was time to retire, but his calm and persistent work behind the scenes was noticed by his peers. He spoke of a moment from the SAPA meeting in Hawaii.
“Towards the end of the SAPA winter meeting this past January [2025], our president, Russell Snyder, called me up to be recognized,” Young said. “I received an award for my ‘quiet contributions’ that have helped elevate the industry. They noted the work I’ve done behind the scenes on initiatives that strengthened SAPA as a whole and benefited each state association individually. Honestly, it was a humbling experience that left me nearly speechless. Being acknowledged by peers I deeply respect, for work done quietly and without seeking the spotlight, was a moment I’ll never forget.”
The SAPA organization wasn’t the only one seeing Young’s quiet, persistent work.
During an airfield asphalt certificate program (AACP) inspector training session for HAPI, members of the Asphalt Institute had to wrangle him away from a business call and back to the meeting room to present him with another award. “The next thing I knew, I was being called to the front of the room. Danny [Geirhart], Jhony [Habbouche] and Brandon [Lima] began saying incredibly kind words about me, and then they presented me with a medallion. I was in such shock that I can’t recall everything they said—but I clearly remember feeling the heart behind their words.”
“Jon brought more than expertise to his role,” said Jayanth Kumar Rayapeddi Kumar, P.E., quality control manager for Jas. W. Glover, Ltd. “He brought genuine care for people and the future of the asphalt industry. His steady leadership, thoughtful approach, willingness to listen to diverse voices and deep commitment to helping others benefited everyone. His impact will be felt for years to come.”
Ryan used the word “persistence” to talk about Young. “Jon’s kind of persistence was stern, yet it was empathetic at the same time. He never stopped trying to work toward something better. Year after year, meeting after meeting, he kept working at it.”
Lima’s admiration for Young hinted at that persistence as well. “Jon has always been someone who has provided new perspectives during my time in the industry. He is not one to shy away from providing feedback and that has been tremendous in helping me develop my leadership skills over the years. That feedback coupled with encouragement has gotten me to where I am today. He is a relentless supporter whether it’s project related or just industry related information you may be interested in. The guy just doesn’t stop.”
“I will really miss working with Jon and I would like to congratulate him on a very successful tenure with HAPI, and for leaving the organization better off,” Mansell said. “I’m fully confident that Brandon Lima will continue Jon’s work in advancing the asphalt industry in Hawaii.”
Blending Techniques
With Young’s foundation and Lima’s skills coming in to build upon it, HAPI has a bright future.
“Brandon’s technical knowledge in materials and quality assurance is a big asset for HAPI,” Young shared. “His expertise helps ensure that our members have the right guidance and information to maintain high standards in their work. Where his focus is on testing and quality assurance, my background has been more in design, project management and construction management—planning, coordination and seeing projects through from start to finish.”
Lima’s background in the asphalt community began in 2011 with Grace Pacific LLC as a QC technician; he finished his time there as HMA plant/quarry QC supervisor (2020-2023). He took on the role of bituminous laboratory supervising technician with HDOT in October of 2023. Lima shared his philosophy of bringing that QC/QA experience to the executive director role.
“Quality is often the intersection where agencies and contractors meet,” Lima shared. “Sometimes traffic flows smoothly, and other times it leads to gridlock. My time at HDOT reinforced how essential consistency, transparency and data-driven decision-making are to keeping that intersection clear and functional. Ultimately, when both sides commit to partnering, it leads to stronger trust and better quality outcomes for the traveling public.”
Lima’s approach is already welcomed. “Brandon brings a warm, approachable presence to the role and has quickly earned the respect of those in the industry,” Kumar said. “With big shoes to fill, his enthusiasm and thoughtful leadership is exactly what the industry needs for the road ahead.”
“Together, our experiences complement each other,” Young said. “Brandon brings a detailed, technical perspective on quality and testing, while my experience provides a broader view of design, specifications and project execution. This combination allows HAPI to be a comprehensive resource for our members and the industry, supporting both the technical and practical sides of asphalt construction.”
They’ve already partnered on a successful project. “During my time at HDOT, I had the privilege of assisting Jon with the kickoff event for the WoA Hawaii branch, which included a tour of the HDOT Central Lab’s facilities for asphalt mixtures, aggregates and binder/emulsion,” Lima said. “We not only reached full capacity for the event, but also had to create a waiting list. It was inspiring to see so many women eager to learn more about asphalt materials.”
At this time, Young has volunteered to remain with the HAPI organization in a part-time role as senior advisor to the executive director while assisting Lima in getting up to speed with the many tasks and responsibilities of the executive directorship. “He’s in charge,” Young said. “I’m just in the background. I’m still here and they [HAPI members] can call me until they have full confidence in Brandon and until he’s comfortable answering all their questions and talking the language of consultants.”
Lima’s already talking the language of contractors when it comes to Hawaii’s workforce. “HAPI Shorts has become synonymous with Jon Young,” Lima shared. “Given Hawaii’s unique geographical position, this program has significantly facilitated connections between our local industry and asphalt professionals nationwide. Our industry, like many others, is experiencing a significant transition. With the wave of retirements, much generational knowledge is being lost, while fresh faces are joining the field. This influx creates a critical need for fundamental training, which I aim to address through HAPI shorts in the coming year.”
As the duo brings Lima into the fold, Young is looking forward to more time for himself and his wife.
“Most people know me for my career, but there’s more to life than work,” Young said. “In retirement, I’m diving back into piano—online lessons, new arrangements and maybe even composing songs like I did in high school and college. I’m also capturing memories from my 60-plus years in three books: Fond Memories, Quiet Skills, and Philosophies. Mostly for myself, though maybe one day they’ll be published—or turned into workshops and webinars.
“But what I’m most excited about is having more time to plan surprises for my wife. Some are small, just to make her smile. Some are grand, like the music video for our 37th wedding anniversary based on a song I wrote for her when we first met. Retirement, for me, is about creativity, reflection and the little—and sometimes big—moments that make life joyful. It’s a chance to slow down, explore passions I haven’t had time for, and focus on the people and experiences that truly matter.”